There is a mistaken belief that people are either creative or they’re not. Now admittedly, some people come to creative abilities more easily and naturally than others. But I believe that creativity can be learned. You can use the creative process I describe in this article.
“Creative thinking – in terms of idea creativity – is not a mystical talent. It is a skill that can be practiced and nurtured.” – Edward de Bono
I have not written about creativity before or how to be more creative. So, I am tapping into my instincts about this and exploring in my mind how it often seems to unfold for me. There are times when something comes to me in a flash, where one moment I may have a completely new idea and then inspiration takes over and the result flows into existence in my mind, or in the case of music, I just play the music magically for the first time.
But more often, there is a general process of creation that seems to unfold for me. I will try to describe it for you…
- Have a Clear Purpose
First, you need to know what your goal is, and the more clarity you have about what you are creating the better. For me, I often want to write an article or create a written product of some sort. In the case of writing this article, I didn’t know what I was going to say, but I use the creative process often, and much of the time I enter the “flow state” in writing. I feel comfortable that I can describe this process, even though I’ve never attempted to define it before.
The flow state occurs when you the creative process begins to flow with ideas and words coming easily and rapidly. It often feels that I am interacting with the Divine and I am just receiving the flow. But I want to try to communicate how I promote the flow state.
For example, in this case, my purpose is that I want to write this article to explain how to be more creative, but I don’t need it to be long and hugely detailed. 500 words might be sufficient for a first article, but it needs to be clear to the reader. (I can write additional articles later if more detail is needed.)
- Prevent Distractions
The flow state requires that you not be interrupted or distracted. It needs the flow to build, with some thinking about ideas and content elements, and then to flow – that is the process of creating (writing the article in my case) happens until it is ideally finished in one sitting. Sometimes, I run out of time or run into questions that need researching, which often means coming back to it the next day.
But, at any rate, you want to ensure no interruptions (phone turned off) and no distractions if possible. I work at home, so sometimes things happen that can’t be prevented, like someone ringing the doorbell and my dogs going crazy. Yup.
- Choosing Creativity
Mentally choose (intend) to be creative. Focus totally on being creative. I guess you could say I am commanding my higher self to be creative now. Choosing is conscious choice-making in action. It is powerful, but you have to trust that your higher self (or the Divine) will respond. But I know instinctively, and pretty much immediately, that I will become more creative.
This may take you some time to fully trust. But as much as possible, when you choose to experience a result in yourself, have faith that it will happen.
Now if I am not focused for some reason – if I am distracted by something else that is nagging my subconscious because I have not taken care of some pressing issue that needs handling – then I may need to stop and take care of it and come back to writing later.
Choosing creativity requires your complete focus on being creative.
- Be Open to the Creative Process
When you choose creativity, allow it to happen. Open your mind to the process, to ideas, to how you want the end result to look or be organized, and then become receptive.
- Getting Ideas from Others
I will often do some quick research by web searches to see what others have done or have to say about the subject. I get ideas, but never copy, what others have done. The ideas trigger a thinking process… yes, I agree with that… no, I don’t think that’s important. It’s usually not even analysis, but simply letting ideas be triggered.
So, by all means, get ideas from what other have done, but never copy them or plagiarize.
I also allow synthesis of ideas to happen, where different ideas come together in a new way. But I almost never force that. I simply allow it to occur easily and naturally if it wants to happen. My mind or higher self or subconscious can do that and, if it does, the new idea just pops into my head.
- Imagination
Sometimes in the creative process, I stop and use my imagination to come up with something new. I don’t use imagination too much in writing unless I need to visualize a particular situation with people behaving in a certain way in order to be able to describe it or describe a response. But when I’m creating music, I do sometimes imagine what some particular notes or music style might sound like.
Use your imagination.
- Ask the Divine for Inspiration
Ask the Divine for insights and inspiration, and then wait patiently. For me, this is sometimes an additional trigger to start the flow state.
If you are not feeling inspired and not getting into flow, ask for inspiration. Be expectant. I am always amazed when suddenly I know exactly how I need to proceed. Ask for inspiration.
- Let the Process of Creation Flow through You
When the flow state happens it is great, it feels so magical. But even if flow state doesn’t occur, let the process of creation flow for you however it is going to happen. Sometimes it may be easy and fast; sometimes it may be slow. But if you can make progress, then let it happen at its own pace.
Every creation seems to be a unique creation.
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