5 Fundamentals of Creativity
Do you want to be more creative? Here are what I believe are the five fundamentals of creativity.
Fundamental #1:
Mental Stimulation (from a variety of sources)
Mental stimulation can come from almost anywhere — if you’re paying attention. Read a variety of books, magazines, and newsletters. Have interesting conversations with friends. Do something you’ve never done before. Visit a place you’ve never been.
Fundamental #2:
Exercise (that gets your blood pumping)
Increased blood flow improves your ability to think. Some of my clearest thinking happens when I’m pounding it out in the gym. Increased metabolism after a workout lasts for a few hours.
Fundamental #3:
Rest & Relaxation (recreational time away from work)
Mental stimulation is important, but you’ve got to give your brain some rest if you want it to do its magic. It’s kind of like making a crock-pot meal: you throw all the ingredients in, then walk away and let it all simmer for a while.
Fundamental #4:
Good Food (without nasty crap in it)
Speaking of food, you need to be eating healthy. Too much sugar, alcohol, caffeine, and chemicals will put you into a semi-permanent mental fog — and it will be difficult for those brilliant ideas to break through the haze.
Fundamental #5:
Sleep (enough that you’re truly rested)
Some people brag about how little sleep they get. Not me. I get about eight and a half hours a night. I go to bed when I’m tired and wake up when I’m rested. I’ve noticed that I’m far more creative (and productive) when I’m running on a fully charged battery.
With these five fundamentals in place, you’ll find that being creative — and generating great ideas — happens much more easily and naturally than it did before.
-Ryan M. Healy