Nothing worse than sitting at the computer and nothing coming to mind, is it? The lack of inspiration is a real nightmare for any creative professional. So, check out ten tips to exercise your creativity and stay inspired:
Watch
Being a good observer is closely linked to the gift of creativity. If you are not in the habit of observing everything around you, do this as an exercise. Observe the buildings' details, the symbols on the traffic signs, and the characteristics of the people around them. When you are talking to someone, observe their speech, their language, their posture. Creative insight is likely to happen amid some observation.
Analyze
When we go to the mall or the supermarket, a great exercise: when you come across a showcase or a package of some product, analyze its characteristics. Don't be afraid to put your critical sense to work. Then, think about what you would do differently to change what you analyzed, whether to give a more interesting aspect, to "clean up" the look, or even draw more attention from the target audience.
Listen to Good Music
Listening to good music can be the key to getting a good idea. Try, at least a few times, to make this a mental exercise: pay attention to each chord, each beat, the harmony of the instruments, or the vocal techniques of the singer. Analyze the letter, the rhymes, the (often subjective) meaning of a particular sentence. Sometimes, that song you've heard hundreds of times takes on a different meaning when analyzed more closely.
Watch movies
Don't just watch, but notice the details involved in each film: lighting, photography, soundtrack, special effects. Everything is valid to awaken creativity. Many elements present in the films often go unnoticed when we only pay attention to the plot. After watching, try to go further: research about the work. Is it an adaptation of a book? A remake of a classic? Who is the director? What's your style? Such research also stimulates creativity.
Enjoy your sleep
For some professionals, sleeping more than six hours is luxury. But remember that a creative mind needs to rest. As much as the work is accumulated, avoid creating the habit of spending sleepless nights. Even Formula 1 cars need to stop at the Pit Stop during the race. So do not force the bar. When you wake up from a beautiful night's sleep, try to remember your dreams. It is a fascinating exercise to stimulate memory and, who knows, look for creative ideas in the dream world.
Read and write a lot
When we read (mainly involving stories), our brain creates the scenarios, the lines, the situations. It, in itself, is already the purest degree of creativity. Aim to read at least one book a month. If you don't usually write, try this. Starting a diary, a book of chronicles, or poems can be a great exercise to get out of your comfort zone and create.
Enjoy the moments of leisure
Let's face it: nobody is active all the time. There is that moment when your only desire is ... to do nothing! When that happens, know how to take advantage of this situation. Browsing the internet can make you discover some useful websites. Doodling on a sheet of paper while listening to your favorite band can help organize your ideas. Chatting with a friend can spark a fantastic idea. Whatever activity you do when you want to immerse yourself in leisure, always be prepared to "catch" new ideas, even in these situations.
Organize your stuff
Organize your desk in a way that you don't waste time looking for important things. Always keep draft sheets and a pencil or pen in view. If something is taking up space on your desk but don't use it, store it elsewhere. The same goes for documents on your computer. Organize your files by folders, divide your hard drive, clean unnecessary files, make your desktop as clean as possible.
Challenge yourself
It is effortless to "park" in a professional sense, especially when working alone. So, challenge yourself regularly. For example: if you are an illustrator, but don't know anything about video editing, challenge yourself to create a "speed art" style video of some of your work. It will encourage you to learn new skills, which may be useful in the future. Start with small challenges, and, just like in a game, increase the difficulty as you complete them.
Have a passion for what you do
Yes, it may seem repetitive, but you must be wasting a good part of your life if you are not passionate about your work.
Working creatively is something that can be extremely rewarding. Seeing a project that came into your mind taking shape and being finalized is a privilege that few have. Just breathe, follow the steps above, and be inspired anew. You can do it!