Strategies to promote creative thinking

#1: Curate your external environment

Your external influences play a huge factor on the clarity in your mind. Studies have shown that high ceilings and natural light promote creative thought. A place with good acoustics also has positive effects, especially if you are listening to music. Additionally, curate your environment to be in alignment with your interests, and place reminders

around you that inspire you. In Austin Kleon's book, Steal Like an Artist , he discusses the concept of a creative workstation. Austin gives examples of motivational quotes on sticky notes or a gift he received from a family member that makes him feel good. Whatever that item or quote is, never forget it. It could be your favorite quote or a concept that seems simple. However, it is those simple concepts that we take for granted and then proceed to slip up on in the future. This can be something as simple as 'Keep Going', which ironically is the name of the sequel to Steal Like an Artist.

#2: Go on a walk

Studies have shown that walking and talking with another person promotes creative thinking and problem solving. While walking, you are able to draw inspiration from your environment as the world changes around you. Also, you are able to divert your focus from being 100% on your issue as it may be while sitting down. Additionally, going on a walk AND focusing on your breath can turn into a walking meditation which can help clear your mind. Meditation apps that I recommend are Headspace and Calm.

#3: Curate your time

Was your first thought when reading this section title, "What does that mean?". If so, you are not alone. Growing up, I had always heard to make the most of the time you have, but I always attributed that to productivity. That led to a toxic cycle of perfectionism and metaphorically hitting my head against the wall in hopes that I would break through. However, curating your time is the equivalent of taking a step back and seeing that you can walk around that wall. Your raw willpower is not always the way forward.

Curating your time means doing activities and engaging in communities in your life that elevate your life purpose. Oh, is that too obscure? A life purpose can be intimidating if you have never thought about it before. It definitely was for me for quite some time. If you are struggling to find your life purpose, I recommend you check out my friend, Christine Whelan, and her book, The Big Picture.

So....curating your time is about finding alignment. This can be something as simple as working at the box office of a local music venue if your purpose is to share your music with the world. While the job itself is not performing and making music, it will connect you with others that have similar passions and life purposes. This is the beginning of your journey towards intentional community creation. By interacting with these people and putting yourself in situations to create opportunities towards your life purpose, you will being to discover creative solutions towards actualizing your dreams rather than growing stagnant and possibly miserable in a dead-end job where your only motivation about it is paying the bills.

#4 (BONUS): Notice the small things / Develop gratitude, bottle up joy, and find happiness :)

This is an activity that I share with my clients and after repeated positive feedback on it and seeing it manifest positively in their lives, I have decided to share it here!!

This activity is simple, but requires repeat and continuous effort. Also, in order to do this you must understand one of the core cheat codes to life, living intentionally.

Doing this activity will provide you with a lifeline later on in life whenever you hit a creative mental block or are struggling with mental health. Here are the instructions:

- Write down in your notes app any time you feel inspired, happy, grateful, or creative by a thought or thing that you are doing

- When you hit a block or low point, look back at the list of moments you have written down, close your eyes, and visualize those moments.

- This mental adventure will give you the space you need to gain clarity

~ BE BOLD! YOU GOT THIS! CREATIVITY AWAITS YOU! ~