How to Increase Creativity

Handmade craft businesses are built off of creativity. Here are some tips to boost your creative juices.

Consider that you may be more creative at certain times of the day. Take advantage of these times by keeping a notepad handy to jot down ideas.

You cannot schedule creativity. Setting aside time each day to relax and come up with new ideas is a great concept but does not work for everyone. I often find that creativity is on its own schedule and comes around when it chooses. If I want to take advantage I need to stop what I am doing and pay attention to the ideas as they pop up.

Think less. As you clear your head, ideas start to emerge. Often times inspiration comes when you least expect it. How many times have you sat at your desk trying to come up with something creative only to have the idea pop into your head later on in the day? More focus does not always lead to more creativity. If you cannot come up with something right now, take a step back and see if it comes to you later on. While you are doing something else your mind will be mulling over the ideas in the background. Sooner or later the idea will come to you.

It may take two. The act of bouncing ideas off of someone else can be very effective in helping with creativity. You may come up with ideas you had never considered while thinking alone. Be sure to choose the right person to do this with though. Ideas have to flow freely and cannot be shot down. The conversation must be very positive and open and each person must be able to express their thoughts without concern over what the other will think.

Remove doubt. When you are in your creative mode push away any negative thoughts. Stopping to think why something will not or cannot work will stop the creative thoughts in their tracks. Brainstorm and jot down any and all ideas and critique them later.

The act of creating can help you come up with more creative ideas. Use your current project to come up with ideas for new projects or products. Many times ideas will come while creating something. Handmade items are visual products. You will be making something and while viewing all the pieces on the table you may visualize another way of putting them all together. Sometimes these ideas will be for something totally new and unrelated. Make sure you write these ideas down.

Change your surroundings. If you are having trouble coming up with ideas, go somewhere else. It doesn’t have to be a beach or any place too special, just somewhere different. It could be a different room of the house. A simple change of scenery can make a big difference.

Good luck with your creating

Richard

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