Some people mistakenly believe that you are either born creative or not creative. Research and experience has shown that creativity is a skill that can be learned and developed by anyone. We are born with a certain amount of creative muscle. Like our physical muscles this creative muscle can atrophy if it isn’t used regularly. The more you exercise your creative muscle the stronger it will become.

1. Use your Explorer, Artist, Judge and Warrior

   These are the four stages of the creative process identified in Roger von Oech’s book, A Kick In The Seat Of The Pants. The Explorer finds new ideas, the Artist creates new ideas, the Judge decides which ideas get implemented and the Warrior implements the idea. Each one has it’s own unique role in the creative process. You need to develop each one of them to have a well-balanced and effective creative muscle.

2. Make a list

   Start with a problem. Then start writing every possible solution you that crosses your mind. Don’t edit or censor any of your ideas. The goal is to get in the flow and develop a long list of possible solutions. (I didn’t say probable solutions.) This is a great exercise to develop your Explorer and Artist.

3. Change your routine

   Changing your routine will expose you new ideas as well as open you up to new ideas. If you always drive to work the same way try a different route, if you always eat lunch with the same people try taking someone new to lunch.

4. Laugh, a lot

   Laughing relaxes you and helps the ideas to flow. It is awfully hard to be creative when you are feeling stressed.

5. Challenge all assumptions

   The easiest way to do this is to ask “why”. Children are great at this since they are not stuck in the way it has always been done. Another way is to pretend you can’t do something the way you always have and come up with another approach.

6. Find a partner or group

   Brainstorming with a group can bring the creative muscle of many to help with the heavy lifting. Select your group wisely so that you have a judgment free zone while you are brainstorming work.

7. Encourage really, really bad ideas

   If you are only coming up with good ideas you aren’t being creative. Remember that the Judge is the third step of the creative process not the first or second step. Bad ideas often lead to really great ideas

8. Use props

   Props can be the spark to start the creative process. Consider having a creativity toy box. Even a ball to throw against the wall while you think out load can increase your creativity.

9. Wake up your right brain

   The right side of your brain is your creativity center and controls the left side of your body. You can activate this creativity center by using the left side of your body. Try breathing out of only your left nostril. If nothing else it will make you laugh!

10. Hire a coach to develop your creative muscle

    A coach can be your brainstorming partner. By observing your creative process a coach can identify areas where your creative muscle is not as well developed and design an exercise plan to strengthen your creative muscle.

Develop your creative muscle with a coach. Call or email for a complimentary, no-obligation coaching session.