Born Creative
By Caliber Creative
Remember when we were kids and when our imaginations were larger than life? When we made up games on the playground and drew pictures on the back of the church bulletins and napkins at restaurants?
That boundless, childhood imagination was, at one time, in all of us. We were born creative thinkers forming storylines in everyday play and illustrating intricate images when we had a bucket of chalk, and a driveway as our canvas.
As we grow older, I hear more and more people say, “I’m not creative.”
Even in advertising agencies, there’s sometimes a stark split between the ‘creative team’ and ‘planning team’ that makes the strategists, finance specialists, account managers, media buyers and human resource directors all feel like they’re not the creative ones.
This isn’t the case.
Keep in mind that the greatest ideas can come from anyone (and anywhere), and some of the best ‘big ideas’ people I know aren’t pushing pixels in Photoshop – they’re the ones who have a hunger for experiencing life and who love the challenge of solving problems.
Are you one of those “I’m not creative” people? Below are three ways to exercise your creative thinking:
- Be a lifelong learner.
When we were kids, we were constantly learning. Maybe that’s why our imaginations were so sharp? No matter your age, strive to learn something new everyday and find joy in doing so. Pick up a book. Try yoga. Take interest in photography. Learning opens the mind.
- Visit new places.
Seeing new places and meeting new people add stories and images to your mental library. Travel as much as you can (if you haven’t before, ride a subway in a metro city or hike a mountain in the Rocky’s) and don’t forget all the great places you can visit in your own backyard (think of the museums or historical sites you’ve never been to or bike trails you’ve never ridden right here in Sioux Falls).
- Welcome silence.
In today’s plugged-in world, we don’t give our minds the peace and quiet they need to formulate big ideas and solve creative problems. Challenge yourself to take or a walk or run early in the morning without earbuds; let your afternoon commute home be free of podcasts; enjoy dinner without Netflix. Be still.
Keep in mind that you too are creative. You were born that way! Embrace the gift and exercise it. You will surprise yourself, and the “I’m not creative” talk will become “I AM creative.”