We’ve all had those Eureka moments, when seemingly out of the clear blue sky we had a brilliant idea, or an electric new understanding of something. As though a creative spark was unleashed out of nowhere.
But truth be told, it wasn’t a bolt from the blue.
It wasn’t even a fully formed and newly born idea at all, according to Keith Sawyer in his science based book on maximizing creative potential.
It was an idea formed in zigs and zags and the byproduct of your enthusiasm and awareness.
Which is really awesome.
But…why doesn’t creativity come more come quickly? Why must we wait for the creative muse to decide when it’s going to shine a light on our darkness?
Why can’t it be more easily available?
Available on demand when we’re ready to turn the mundane into something marvelous?
How can we harness creative inspiration when it stubbornly refuses to be there when we need it?
Maybe one of these 5 surprising ways to unleash your creativity just when you need it, will give answers to all these questions, or will be familiar to you, so you can use your awareness to proactively tap into that elusive creative spark any time you want.
1.Hop into the shower
Seriously. Hands up if you have ever had a great idea whilst taking a shower?
Mine’s up!!
I get some great insights during my early morning shower, so I’m clearly part of the 72% of people that, according to research, have better ideas in the shower than they ever do at work.
If this is you, make it work in your favor. Jump enthusiastically into the shower, relax and allow your enthusiasm to unleash your creative spark.
At the very least you’ll be refreshed…and at best…you’ll have an idea that turned the familiar into something fantastic.
[Tweet “The best creation of all is a life well lived.”]
2.Don’t allow criminals to multiply
When a single thief invades a neighbourhood, it’s a manageable situation. But when a few dozen of them band together that’s when things get a little out of hand.
The same is true of your creativity. Your doubts are thieves and robbers, stealing your creative dance before it even has a chance to choose its rhythm.
And when they gather together and join forces with lack of belief in yourself or fear of getting it wrong, they will steal your creative spark and dull your soul’s diamond bright potential.
Don’t let them do this to you. If you’re scared to step out and do something different…do it scared. But do it.
3.Manage your happiness levels
How many times have you said “I’ll be happy when…dot dot dot.” But why wait? Every single thing you do every single day, stems from your desire to be happy.
If you thought what you wanted would bring misery, would you still want it? Not likely.
The quality of your life, your creative joy, depends upon how you feel within. Happiness and joy are your natural states, but as of now they depend on outside sources.
Take a page out of a little kid’s book. They live in a normal, natural state of joy and happiness, until something outside of them occurs to prevent it.
But we. We have reversed things. We are not naturally happy any more and it’s only when something outside of ourselves occurs that feels good, that we fleetingly experience a joyful moment.
If you want to unleash your creative inspiration whenever you need it, you need first to renew your natural inner quality of joy.
4.Reconnect
How to reconnect to joy?
Life flows towards the things we give our attention to. So begin with this.
You woke up breathing this morning. Smile about that. Millions of people went to sleep and didn’t wake up. That’s a wonderful gift.
Go outside and breathe in the day, or watch the sun in the sky. And smile.
Isn’t it fantastic, the sun is still in the sky? With no sun, we’d all disappear. Poof…we’d be gone.
Look at a tree and smile. A giant air freshener, giving us beautiful air to breathe. Wow! Awesome!
These are not silly things.
These are joy bringer things.
But we forget how blessed we are. So set a timer, or a reminder, and smile. As often as possible. Because you’re here, you’re alive, with so many possibilities in front of you. You are the gift the world is waiting for.
And pretty soon ‘Joy’ will be your middle name. And creativity will be standing, arms outstretched awaiting your call.
Over to you. What turns on your creative spark? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
As always thanks for giving me the time and space in your world. I love being here with you. And if you enjoyed this article and feel so inclined do share on your favorite social networks.
Encourage one another.
Love Elle
xo
16 Comments
Hi Elle,
So true about the shower. 🙂 I also get creative sparks when I’m out enjoying nature. It could be a hike in the woods or just sitting on the back porch watching the birds at the feeders. Definitely a joy bringer thing.
Oh wow Linda…we’re so much on the same page. Listening to birdsong is one of my most favorite things to use to kick back and just allow!
Oh, I love the idea that joy will be my middle name! I’m going to do some connecting today <3
I think JOY already is your middle name Ellen. 🙂
Always have great ideas in the shower!
Hi Allanah…I think that’s true for many of us…clearly I need to take more showers in the day to get more great ideas! 🙂
It’s a week for joy, it helps us move closer to love and peace, i made a video about it yesterday 🙂 Life flows towards the things we give our attention to. this is where we start by making the choice . My best ideas come walking on the beach xx
Love those joy filled weeks Suzie…you little joy bringer! Interesting how so many of us find our creative sparks in nature. 🙂
Good suggestions, Elle. Being creative requires an altered state of mind in which logical reasoning is suspended and the mind is open to new perceptions. All of these would help with that!
Hi Debbie…it’s so great to hear your perspective. Love the idea of a mind open to new perceptions. It’s the way of growth. 🙂
I always have my best ideas when I’m in that luminous state between sleep and wake. I might be part of the small percentage of people that never had a creative idea in the shower! 🙂
That’s so interesting Sandra…now you have me looking back to see if I have creative ideas from that beautiful, peaceful state…and I think not. Stting quietly sometimes works, but it’s not quite the same state. Don’t you love the uniqueness of the creative processes? 🙂
Exhilarating Showers and Soul nurturing walks are my go to sources for creative sparks Elle 🙂 So agree with your beautiful tips here.
xoxo, Z~
Oooh that sounds so lovely Zeenat…Soul nurturing walks. Feeling one with nature is a wonderful state to occupy. 🙂
I choose to begin and end each day by going over my “gratitude list”. I am grateful for waking up and for all the comforts I am blessed with…I am grateful for my day well spent and all the lessons it taught me. Some days the list is longer than other days, but each list ends with ” I am grateful for the love of family and friends and the abundance I have been given”. Life is what we choose, mine is creative and amazing.
Hi Eli…what an awesome way to start your day…I love it. You are so wise dear one when you can say “Life is what we choose.” Wow. 🙂