Here come the deadline, and you still haven't find that creative solution to an issue that you have been hanging around for some time ...
The problem?
You’re not feeling in the least creative, and you only have a few minutes to find that spark.
What are you going to do?
Here come some good news: getting into a creative mindset doesn't have to involve a long-drawn-out process! You can boost your creativity in just about 10 minutes or less.
Here are some quick yet effective ideas you can try as soon as right now:
Laugh
A positive mood makes for better creativity, so laughing, even when you don’t feel like it, can create a mood more conducive toward creativity.
Bright & Colorful
Again, studies have shown that looking at something bright and colorful - particularly green & blue colors - will enhance your ability for tasks that involve deep thinking.
Maybe it’s time to invest in some new artwork for your office?
Music
While music has already been shown to stimulate creativity, studies have shown that for the greatest effect you’re going to want to try classical music. Try something invigorating, like Mozart.
Travel in Time
According to a study published in a social psychology journal, our problem-solving skills get a boost when we think about something that happened either a long time ago or something that will happen a long way in the future.
So it’s time to walk down memory lane. Or to imagine where you’ll be in ten years.
Then revisit the problem.
Move Your Eyes
By sitting still and having your eyes rove all around the room, you stimulate your brain to communicate back and forth across both hemispheres. So dart your eyes back and forth for a minute or two and see what happens.
Write the Old-Fashioned Way
Not only do we remember things better when we write things out longhand, but we become more creative when we do. Try keeping a notebook near at hand you can doodle in or scribble random ideas as they occur.
Gesture
By using your hands when you speak, you stimulate your brain, especially if you involve your non-dominant hand.
So have a conversation with someone, and be sure to throw some hand movements in to get those creative juices flowing.
To maintain that creative mood, take these items and build them into habits. By repeating these actions often you’ll get your brain in line with creative thinking, meaning that you’ll become a more creative person. All in less than ten minutes a day!
