Where
does creativity come from? What do you do when you need answers to tough
questions or are tasked to create?
I've taken
notice where most of my inspiration and ideas come from. What's interesting is
that they come from the same handful of common places that you and I
operate in everyday.
If
you are an artist, stay at home mom, student, or climbing the corporate ladder
- we all sometimes find ourselves looking for outlets to get our creative
juices flowing. Whether you are facing a creative roadblock
or have a tough decision to make, let me offer you a few strategies that
will create clarity and calm. I hope these techniques and tips will help channel
your subconscious and open up an army of ideas, and an arsenal of answers to
the challenges that lie in front of you.
The
key is to put yourself in positions to unlock your subconscious to be able to
receive information. The best way to do this is to change your "state" by altering your physiology or biochemistry by some type of stimulus.
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| Your brain is so powerful. Are you using it to it's full potential? |
Through
my experiences of taking note where my creativity comes from, I
have discovered that there are 6 main Mediums where I find
myself channeling creative thoughts and ideas unified
synergistically by what I call a State Shifter.
Ever see the film Limitless
with Bradley Cooper? They
say the human brain only utilizes 10% of it's capacity. Utilizing one of the 6 mediums
combined with a state shifter attempts to tap into the other 90%.
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| Use these 6 simple strategies and tap into your entire brain power, like Bradley Cooper's character in Limitless. |
Below are 6 simple ways to find inspiration and creativity:
1. Taking
a nap
Medium: A quiet comfortable place
to rest
State
Shifter:
Sleep
Ever
see the movie Inception with Leonardo DiCaprio? I love the concept of
"a dream within a dream." DiCaprio and his partner in crime, played
by Gordon Joseph-Levett, where tasked to extract or implant a thought or idea
into a victim's mind while they were sleeping. Why can't we do the same to our
own subconscious?
The
reason why I prefer naps to extract creativity is because naps support being in
a Free State. You take naps when your body feels like it. You go to
sleep at night because you have to.
Try
this, when you feel like you need an answer or creative inspiration, listen to
your body when it feels tired. Don't fight this urge, but go with it. Even if
it's just for 10 minutes. Find a comfy place and shut your eyes. Here's
the Inception twist - at the beginning of your decent, ask your inner Leo for
inspiration in the area you are stuck. Let your subconscious go to work. What
you'll find is that the idea doesn't come from the dream, put from what I call
the "nap residue"...the peaceful time in-between when you are not
asleep and not fully awake. This is where Inception Creation takes place.
You
will be in a complete relaxed state and your conscious and subconscious mind
will begin to make-out like Leo and Kate on the Titanic. When you fully wake
up, you'll have your new idea, and will jump up, with your arms stretched out
screaming, "I'm the king of the world!" Don't just take my word for
it. Ask multi-millionaire creatives Christopher Nolan and James Cameron.
They'll tell ya.
The
concept for my first book (coming soon), came from this place. I
had just woken up after snuggling and taking an afternoon nap with my daughter
Bellamy. During the nap residue, the vision flashed at me like a neon sign in
Times Square.
Give
this technique a try...just make sure you are like Leo in Inception, and have a
metal top handy when you wake up.
2. Going
for a drive
Medium: Car
State
Shifter:
Sound
One
of my favorite of all movies without question is Rocky IV. Sly Stallone
was in his prime. The Cold War was at its climax, and what 5 year old didn't
want a talking robot? I know I did.
When
the 7 foot Russian, Ivan Drago, defeated and killed Rocky's best friend Apollo,
Rocky needed to clear his head. What did the World Champion and Italian
Stallion do when he was faced with an insurmountable challenge? He jumped in
his sports car and went on a drive bumping the classic, "There's no
easy way out," by Robert Topper. Fitting title wouldn't you say?
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| Rocky getting his mind right in his 1985 Lamborghini Jalpa |
Through
this process, Rocky was able to reflect, clear his mind, and walk away with a
plan and a purpose. There's something just therapeutic about going on a drive,
the freeness of being on the open road, and feeling the emotion of your
favorite song.
Music
is a universal language that stirs memory, emotion, and inspiration. Steve Jobs
has been quoted by saying that his biggest inspiration and influence was not
some tech nerd, but Bob Dylan.
Another
"sound" strategy I use while driving is listening to thought leaders
through audiobooks, podcasts, or YouTube videos. I have my go-to's that I seek
for wisdom and inspiration. This is similar to what Superman would do when he
was perplexed. He would go to his home ice-layer, insert a few crystals, and
gain wisdom from his hologram father.
Often
times just one word or one phrase from a thought leader that I admire will spark an idea that leads to a solution or
endless creativity.
Just
like how your car can transport you from place to place, this process will
transform your mind to a new destination. Give this medium a try. You might
discover Rocky-like underdog ideas and super human strategies inside of
you.
3. Working
out at the gym
Medium: Fitness center
State
Shifter:
Movement
I
love to workout. The gym is my happy place. I've committed to myself and my
health by making fitness a frequent weekly ritual. There are so many physical
benefits that working out creates. My gym time helps me increase my energy,
improve strength, and reduce the risk of injuries.
The
physical effects of exercising are clear, but what about the mental effects?
For me, working out reduces stress, clears my head, and allows me alone time to
think. There is a powerful force that happens when we move our bodies. Moving
your body is one of the most effective way to change your state.
Movement
creates momentum. With momentum you discover motivation. When you are motivated
you are able to tap into your memory on a deeper level. Ideas will surface.
Inspiration will arise. Clarity will come through.
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| Physical Fitness fosters Mental Fitness #gainz |
Every
time I leave the gym I have a new idea for a blog post, an added detail for my
book, or inspiration for a social media quote. These fresh ideas wouldn't be
possible without being in an environment like the gym, where I'm free from my
phone and other distractions. The added inspiration comes from changing my state
through lifting weights - similar to lifting stress away - the tension and
release of the weight is like lifting tension and weight away that is blocking
my creativity.
And
here's the thing, the more you practice, and the more repetitions you do, the stronger
you will be. Not only in your muscles, but your ability to tap into fresh ideas
and inspiration.
4. Shower
Power
Medium: The Shower
State
Shifter:
Water
I
love to take showers. There's just something so soothing and relaxing about
turning up the water really hot, generating steam, and just checking out for a
period of time. With a wife and three children, those moments are fleeting, but
cherished. Longer showers to myself is the real reason why I cover a large
sales territory - to have frequent overnights to myself in a hotel (just
kidding Kendra, being away from you and the kids is torture!).
But
seriously though, don't mess with my shower time. My showers can never be too
hot or too long.
Growing
up in a family of four, with just one sibling, I can't remember many times
fighting over the hot water. With this good fortune, I developed the habit of
using this daily ritual as a form of meditation. No cell phones, no TV, no
computers, no distractions. Just me, the water, and my thoughts.
There's
something metaphorical about taking a shower. You are stripping down, getting
clean, and using the water to wash away the old, and begin to feel anew.
Cleanliness, feeling refreshed, and recharging aren't the only benefits
showering provides. For me, the shower also serve as a canvas. I often use the
hot steam to fog up the shower glass. This precious creative place is where I
make lists, draw diagrams, charts, and develop new acronyms. My shower glass is
like a whiteboard. While in there I'm like Russell Crowe's character in A Beautiful
Mind. I'm unlocking puzzles and solving problems.
Sometimes
Kendra will shower after me at some point in the day and find what looks like
hieroglyphics, Chinese characters, or some alien language that I've created
during these thought-provoking shower sessions. She will often ask, "What
did you come up with this time?"
There
have been countless instances where I entered the shower with an issue or
uncertainty, and after feeling the warmth of the hot water, listening to the
soothing sound of faucet flow, and feeling the hot misty steam - my brain
begins to unthaw.
Just
me, my breath, my thoughts, and nothing more. The
shower is where I think, I ponder, I process, and I rest.
Don't
underestimate the power of taking a shower. Endless answers and countless
creation is at your disposal. Just remember to squeegee when you're done.
5. Going
on a walk
Medium: Walking outside
State
Shifter:
Nature
Creative people have an eye for the creativity all around us, and the best in their field immerse themselves in these natural creative settings. I call this state shifter "nature." What I really mean by nature is the world all around us - the trees, flowers, hills, landscape, water, sunsets, the city, buildings, architecture, etc.
What
is more beautiful and inspiring than God-made AND man-made creation?
What
better place to foster creativity than the beautiful world we live in? If you
are spending most of your time in a sedentary, stagnant, and sitting position
in a cubicle staring at a computer, you'll be hard pressed to come up with
fresh and new ideas.
Get
your butt out of your seat. Create some movement by going on a 10-20 minute
walk outside. Get the blood flowing and take in the beauty all around you.
Moving your body is one of the best ways to change your state and channel
creative energy - even if it is as simple as going on a walk.
Debbie
Millman is a designer, author, educator, and brand strategist. She's worked
with many major companies and projects ranging from Burger King to Star Wars
merchandising. She is labeled as one of the most influential designers today.
According to Millman, one of her tried and true methods to get out of a
creative rut is to go outside and go on a walk. This activity helps clear her
head and flush out creative blocks.
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| Millman is a creative force like no other. Please check out her interview on the Tim Ferriss Podcast Here....simply amazing. |
Living
in Manhattan, Millman taps into an endless supply of natural creative
inspiration just by going outside. From people, to sounds, to architecture, to
colorful billboards and advertisements everywhere - this
concrete jungle serves as a breeding ground for inspiration.
I
don't live in the city, like Millman, but I do live near many trees, trails,
and parks. God's eye for creation is unmatched. Just breathing in the fresh air
and taking in the scene all around helps me feel more creative and inspired. I
often go on walks either early in the morning or later at night when the kids
are in bed. This time alone also allows me to reflect on what's going on in my
world - presently and in my past. This technique might channel the most powerful
source of inspiration of all: life.
One
of the kings of creation, Walt Disney, used his life as a spring board for
inspiration and ideas for stories. Reflecting on his hard working blue collar
childhood, Disney was inspired to write the classic film Cinderella. One time,
he was pulled over by a police officer due to a trivial traffic violation.
Instead of getting mad, he used that as inspiration for a Micky Mouse
episode.
Inspiration
is around us everywhere. Tap into the beauty of nature and the scenes all
around you. Get out of your "box." Go outside. Move your body and go
on a walk. Use nature to help you reflect on your life - which might be the
greatest source of creation possible.
6. Go write, get right
Medium: Quiet time alone
State
Shifter:
Writing
Many
of my blog posts and content for my new book WERE NOT conceived until I started
to write. There is a magical creative force that happens when you allow your
mind to explore, document, and reflect on feelings through writing.
Voltaire
once said, "Writing is the painting of the voice. "
C.S.
Lewis noted, "You can make anything by writing."
E.L.
Doctorow offered, "Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing
and learn as you go."
My
most creative place to write is not in front of a computer or laptop, but in
the notes section in my phone. I also love to use Google Docs as a way to jot
down thoughts and ideas throughout the day. One of the main themes of my new
book coming soon is a unique daily journaling system - which I use everyday to
prime my mind, body, and spirit.
Journaling
has been clinically proven to lower stress, depression, and anxiety. Keeping a
journal has been shown to help gain control of one's emotions and improve
mental health.
Give
it a try. The most important words in the English language are write it
down. Unlock your inner wisdom. Create a new masterpiece. Find a
solution. Get your mind right, go to a quiet place and write.
Is this my future TedTalk?
God
needed 6 days to create the world. Try these 6 mediums and state shifters to generate
inspiration, ideas, and creation of your own.
Medium // State Shifter
1. Taking a nap // Sleep
2. Going for a drive // Sound
3. Working out at the gym // Movement
4. Taking a long hot shower // Water
5. Going on a walk // Nature
6. Quiet time alone // Writing
Who knows, you just might make a
masterpiece.
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| Collin Henderson is the creator and founder of Project Rise. Project Rise is a platform to uplift and inspire people to be the best version of themselves. |
