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Here at Planning with Maggie Rae we think that planning and creativity go hand in hand. After all, you need to get pretty creative in order to set amazing goals right?
Creativity opens up possibilities.
It enables us to imagine new ways to do something, explore potential solutions to problems and make productivity more fun in general.
Recently I had the pleasure of talking with Emma from Invauable, an online art gallery and auction, about creativity and how allowing ourselves to be creative in our planning process can make us more successful.
Here is what she had to say:
How to put yourself in the creative mindset
There are endless benefits to exploring and expressing a more creative side.
Creativity forces us to use our imagination and conjure original ideas to establish something new and innovative. One of the most important benefits of exploring creativity is that of problem solving.
It forces us to be more resourceful and ‘creative’ in figuring things out.
Along similar lines, creativity affords us an expanded sense of time. As your thoughts slow, so does time, and this allows us to stay focused on the task at hand and get things does easier. It is this benefit of creativity that helps us not only set goals, but stay on track of our goals.
So how do we go about being more creative?
Start with smaller tasks
Trying to be creative is daunting, and a bit intimidating, so start small.
Reach for an adult coloring book, write in a journal, or paint by numbers. If it makes you feel creative, make a note and return to that task more frequently each week.
Utilize friends
Sometimes, it’s nerve wracking to approach a new situation alone, so look to the help of friends.
Go to a painting class together, or go for a walk together to inspire new ideas. Friends help keep us accountable and increase our chances of getting things done.
Try a diverse range of activities.
Until you figure out what you enjoy, creative thinking is going to feel like a chore. Try reading, writing, doodling, dancing, etc until you land on the activity that is both fun and inspiring from within.
If you’re still feeling like your creativity is stifling your ability to progress and set new goals, look for inspiration from some of the most creative minds out there.
Invaluable created this neat visual that showcases how to harness creativity like Salvador Dali.
Though eccentric and quirky, he was one of the most prominent Spanish Surrealists to ever walk this earth, and there is much we can learn from how he approached creativity through innovative methods and techniques.
Getting creative with my planning has given me confidence and a safe place to explore my ideas and values. When those things are clear it’s easier and more exciting to plan for your future.
I encourage you to try out some of Emma’s tips and see that they unlock for you.
Emma is a writer for the Invaluable blog, where she strives to constantly inspire creatives. In her spare time, she can be found cuddled up with her two cats or writing her latest creative writing piece.
