If you have a job or a hobby that forces you to keep churning out ideas, you may find it challenging to have on your A-game all the time. Facing such a challenge can hinder your work and output, leading to frustration and a sense of failure.

What is Creativity?

Cambridge Dictionary defines creativity as “the ability to produce or use original and unusual ideas.” It’s not necessarily something you were born with, though some people can be more out-of-the-box thinkers than others. Creativity, however, can be practiced and nurtured. Even if you feel like you aren't that creative now, you can train yourself to become more creative.

Careers That Require a Lot of Creativity

Some careers require a lot more creativity than others. If your job is one of the following, being creative is essential in getting the job done.

• Actors - They need to internalize and embody the character they are playing. You’ll find that some actors are method actors, meaning they go to great lengths to become the characters they are playing while the movie is being filmed or the play is going on. Some even go so far as to develop mannerisms and habits, write journals, and eat what they think their character would eat.
• Artists - From painting to sculpting and other art forms, artists require putting out something there that makes them unique.
• Entrepreneurs - People who own businesses must constantly invent new ways and ideas to differentiate themselves from competitors. They also need to continuously think of ways to improve their products and services to keep their business going.
• Fashion designers - People who work in the fashion industry have to be creative—not just in coming up with unique designs but in finding where to source the best materials for their clothes and accessories.
• Teachers - Teaching requires creativity to devise lesson plans that will capture the students’ attention. Teachers need to come up with various activities and techniques that will help develop their students’ abilities and skills.
• Writers - Authors need creativity to express themselves in a way that will keep the reader wanting to know more. Creativity in writing is a must, whether you are a fiction or nonfiction writer.
• And many more! A lot of other careers require creativity, too. No matter the job, you will need to find, harness, and unleash that creativity.

10 Ways to Unleash Your Creativity

Keeping your creativity meter to its full power 100% of the time can be a little exhausting. Sooner or later, you may find yourself drawing a blank and feeling a little lost. For some people like authors, this translates to writer’s block. For others, this absence of creativity leads to a loss of inspiration and a sense of emptiness.

If you’re struggling with being creative, here are a few things you can do to get your creativity back.

1. Be Curious

Curiosity doesn't kill the cat when it comes to creativity. Rather, curiosity keeps it alive and births the inspiration you may need.

Learning is a lifelong activity. You don't have to go through life like an investigative journalist, but you can practice being curious by wondering how things are the way they are. Start by asking questions. Gather information, both general and specific, about what you're interested in or the topic you need to cover. Keep reading, researching, asking questions, and finding answers.

2. Break Out of Your Regular Routine

One way to be creative is to do something different from what you normally do. If you’ve got a set schedule day in and day out, maybe now is the time to do something you would never do. Take a break from ordering the same food from your favorite restaurants. Explore new paths during your afternoon walks. Try watching a new kind of movie or reading a book from a genre you’ve never read before. Instead of checking your email first thing in the morning, watch a funny video on YouTube or browse through some cute puppy photos.

That might spark the long-lost creativity you need.

3. Limit Gadget Time

Spending too much time on your phone can be such a creativity killer. Instead of working on the things you need to focus on, you may not be aware of the time you are wasting on social media. What does it gain you in the end? Nothing, really. Instead of scrolling mindlessly through your phone, use the time to dream up new ideas or work on your projects.

4. Spend Time with Different People

It’s interesting to see life from the lens of people around you. When you are working on something, try to look at it from another person's perspective. They may be able to give you objective insight into what you may not have thought of before. Expand your circle to expand your creativity. Go beyond the people in your team or the people you regularly interact with, and engage people who might be able to show you something you never considered before.

5. Jot Down Your Ideas

If something crosses your mind, take note of it. Many writers benefit by writing down little phrases or observations through the years. For example, J.R.R. Tolkien's masterpiece The Hobbit started with a sentence he scribbled out one day: “In a hole in the ground, there lived a Hobbit.”

6. Journal Your Experiences

Sometimes, life can lend to inspiration. You may be going through something that can eventually inspire you to create art. Use a journal like Wondr Journal to take note of feelings, thoughts, emotions, and observations. Refer to using it whenever you may need something to write.

7. Listen to Music

Music helps unlock the flow of creativity in you. The kind of music, however, varies from person to person. Some prefer to listen to happy, upbeat tunes that get them excited and inspired. Others prefer slower, mellow songs to tap into their emotions to help them achieve what they need to do.

8. Go Outside

Sometimes, your surroundings hamper your creativity. If you spend the whole day in front of your desk, staring at your computer, you might struggle with creativity because you’re always looking at the same things. Take a break from the monotony of things. Go for a walk outside and breathe in the fresh air. Stretch, walk, jog—do anything to get your body moving.

9. Unplug

Everyone needs to take a break away from gadgets and work. Relax. Switch off devices. Meditate. Go hiking or camping. When you are stressed and have too many things to think about, it keeps you from being truly creative.

If you can’t take an entire weekend off, try to set aside time every week to go somewhere where you can be surrounded by nature, even if it is just a corner of your garden or a room filled with house plants. Avoid bringing your gadgets along, so you are not tempted to look at them while on a break.

10. Make Mind Maps

After you’ve got your content written down, you might want to organize them into a mind map that will help you get everything sorted out. When you arrange your thoughts and ideas, a single glance can tell you all you need to know and help you with your work.

Creativity Starts with You

If you feel like your creative battery is running a little low, go for a walk, step away from your gadgets, or do something that will give you a little break. You can also find inspiration in other places, such as in music, in doing things out of the ordinary, in journaling, and in being naturally curious about the things around you.

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