“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”
According to a survey, nearly 60% of CEOs consider creativity the most essential leadership trait. Whether at work or in your projects, tapping into your creative side can help you connect more deeply with others and with yourself. But we all know that sometimes, unlocking our imagination and sparking fresh ideas can be challenging.
Mike Byster, author of The Power of Forgetting, believes that anyone can learn to be creative and enhance their creative skills. Our experts agree! That’s why we’ve curated a set of exercises designed to boost your imagination and help you think more creatively.
Dictionary Story
Start with a simple, fun exercise. Pick a random word from the dictionary, then find the words immediately before and after it. Now, create a short story that incorporates all three words.
Let’s say you randomly land on the word “bridge,” and the words before and after it are “brilliant” and “briefcase.” You might craft a quick story like this:
“The brilliant engineer designed a unique bridge that could fold itself into a briefcase, making travel easier for people crossing the city’s river.”
This exercise pushes you to think creatively and connect unrelated ideas.
Draw It Again
Choose an everyday object, like a teapot, and draw it once a day for a week or more. As you observe it daily, notice the subtle details you might have missed at first. This exercise sharpens both your observation skills and your creativity.
Avoid E
Challenge yourself to have a conversation without using the letter ‘E’, all while avoiding long pauses. It’s tricky, but your brain is more resourceful than you think- this exercise pushes you to tap into your inner thesaurus.
Mind Mapping
Begin by writing a central idea or theme in the middle of a page. From there, draw branches that connect related thoughts and concepts. This technique is excellent for brainstorming, organizing ideas, and uncovering unexpected connections.
Creativity isn’t something that can be switched on and off at will. It takes regular practice and patience to cultivate. By integrating these exercises into your routine, you’ll be better prepared to break through creative blocks and generate fresh ideas more consistently.
Next time you’re stuck in a creative rut, give one of these exercises a try- or better yet, make them part of your daily regimen to keep those creative muscles active!
