A.E. Albert: A Writer's Blog

How to be more Creative

How to be More

Creative

 by A.E. Albert

“We have to continually be jumping off cliffs and developing our wings on the way down.” 

― Kurt Vonnegut

Creativity is not the mythical muse of old or a light bulb that illuminates when an idea mysteriously presents itself.  

Harnessing creativity takes practice.  In fact, there are many things we can do to help us become more creative.  As with everything, it's all in the doing.


1.  Choose an environment that penetrates the senses. This can be your home or outside.  You may even choose to change your work setting on a regular basis.  Just surround yourself with images that make you think.

2.  Engage with your community and the world. Get out there.  Walk around, join groups, take dance lessons, talk to people, experience the world.

3.  Try new things.  Get out of your comfort zone.  

4.  Finish what you start.  We all love that feeling when the creative juices flow and we start something new.  However, the completion of a project makes us feel empowered.  Use this power to create something else.

5.  Don't edit yourself.  Get in the zone.  Let it all hang out.  That's what revision is for.

6.  Write down your ideas as they come to you.  Jot down that idea that comes to you in the grocery store or at work.  

7.  Join a group.  Meet people who are interested in the same things you are.  Talking about your passion and listening to others will fuel your creativity.

8.  Be in the moment.  Experience the world empirically.  Hear it.  See it.  Smell it.  Feel it. Taste it.

9.  It's all about practise.  The more you exercise your creativity, the more it expands.  Work it.