5 important rules of creativity that apply in everyday life

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

To be a creative person, you don't have to do music, painting or anything like that. Even mundane things can be creative and great results. Danny Gregory writes about this in his book "Creative Rights".

1. To do something, you need to practice

The title of the book is Creative Rights for a reason: driving and creativity have a lot in common. In these two cases, you need to practice a lot: to study the basics, rules, methods developed over the years. But for the theory to be meaningful, you need to get down to business: get behind the wheel or pick up a brush.

Of course, it is easier to consider yourself an uncreative person who is "not given". It's much harder to put in the effort and work on yourself and your skills.

2. Be creative in your decision making

Danny Gregory is convinced that every new day is full of creative possibilities. Our abilities can be manifested in everyday activities: preparing breakfast, choosing clothes, solving work issues.

Creativity is not limited to art. Creativity is no stranger to CEOs, lawyers, politicians, accountants, dentists and drivers. You also create, but you don't call it creativity.

Each person has not only the ability to be creative, but also the need for it. There is probably a business in your life that you simply cannot help but do: bake cupcakes, write, take pictures … This is a creative impulse that cannot be suppressed.

3. Arrange yourself for shocks

Remember the moment from the Dead Poets Society movie when Professor Keating climbed onto the table? He explained that this simple act reminds him of one truth: any object must be viewed from different points of view.

Changing your perspective is a good way to get rid of stereotypes.

Plus, small shocks are a great way to rock and wake up your creativity. Always returning the same way home? Take a different path today. Do you paint a little with a brush? Buy markers and draw with them. Write with your left hand (or right if you are left-handed). Get off track.

4. Have a short media fast

Every day, a huge stream of information falls on us: news 24 hours a day, meaningless emails, dozens of new films and even more TV channels, newspapers, magazines, advertisements, inscriptions on clothes and tubes of toothpaste. All this dulls the senses and disorientates.

Gregory proposes to conduct a simple experiment: break out of this stream for 2-3 days and clear your mind of garbage.

Discard the TV. Don't use the internet. Don't check your email. Turn off the radio. Don't read newspapers, magazines, or books.

Of course, we must act within the reasonable limits. If at work there is nothing without mail, then try to answer only the most important. Spend as little time as possible on the web in the evenings.

By clearing your life of unnecessary information, even if only partially, you will discover how much free time you have. Direct your attention to useful things.

5. Do not seek inspiration, but act

Don't wait for insight to come upon you. Inspiration, like appetite, comes in the process. When you are lazy, when you are afraid of failure, just sit down and do it. Through “I don’t want” and not paying attention to the inner critic.

If you need to draw up a plan for speaking in front of colleagues, take a sheet and write whatever comes to mind. Make it a rough draft, which you will then rewrite five times. But at least you will have something to work with.

Start working and the muse will sit next to you and help you. But she won't pull you off the couch. The first step must be done by yourself.

The best way to get rid of procrastination in any business is to take action.