Reconnect with your creativity
- Lea Gouider
- Jun 2, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Jun 4, 2024
Hello hello,
When we think of creativity, we often imagine magical gift reserved for solitary geniuses. For a long time, I didn't believe I was creative. As a child, I asked my mom to do my art homework and froze during dance improvisations. But creativity isn't limited to drawing or playing an instrument; it comes in many forms - visual, musical, intellectual.
The good news? Creativity is within all of us and can be cultivated.
It's about generating new ideas and solutions, thinking outside the box, and making connections. Essential in both personal and professional life, creativity is highly valued. It’s said to be the most important skill in the world according to LinkedIn. And 90% of business leaders and 94% of hiring managers consider it as key.
And for good reason, creativity enables problem-solving, adaptation, learning, critical thinking, fostering collaboration, and promoting emotional expression... and much more!
Today, I've found my style in drawing and feel creative in conversations with diverse people and in acting classes.
This month, give yourself permission to be creative—dare to try. Creativity brings hope and endless possibilities.
WHAT WE DON'T LEARN IN SCHOOL (AND DON'T TAKE THE TIME TO THINK ABOUT WHEN WE'RE ADULTS) 📖
There is no single model for being creative, but here are 13 simple strategies to activate creativity (yes, 13, we’re not afraid):
The biggest obstacle to creativity is the lack of time: let’s take time for ourselves, that time that often feels useless but actually can be extremely useful.
Create an environment conducive to creativity: whether it’s a tidy space, the outdoors, or a supportive group setting where you feel confident.
Experiment and let go: be ready for the unexpected — grow your curiosity more than your fear.
Identify what hinders your creativity: noise, people around you, your phone; eliminate all distractions!
Plan your productivity slots: according to Carlson’s Law: "A task performed continuously takes less time and energy than when it’s done in several stages." For instance, you can adopt a rhythm of 45 minutes of work followed by a 10-minute break.
Constraints do not necessarily oppose creativity: sometimes, we need rules to push our minds to find unexpected solutions.
Open your eyes to what surrounds you: creativity lies in everyday experiences; marvel at the daily or past experiences.
Be kind to yourself and don’t be too demanding: avoid negative thoughts like “it’s ugly” or “I’m worthless.” The goal is to feel comfortable with your vulnerability—which is far from easy in a world where it’s difficult to accept mistakes
Become a child again, as if discovering for the first time: relearn to be curious.
Don’t hesitate to postpone 'the moment of creativity' if it doesn’t feel right. Don’t force it!
Establish rituals for optimal conditions: do you feel more creative in the morning or evening? Outside? With music? Wearing comfortable clothes?
Accept that creativity is a process with its stages: gathering ideas, synthesizing, writing, designing are very different steps that can be done at different times.
Move, literally! If you have an idea, if you need to be creative, don’t wait for the magical spark of creativity to hit you — try!
What's your tip?
QUESTIONS TO CAROLINE ☀️
I met Caroline virtually on LinkedIn! During a virtual coffee, she shared her background and her work, which I found fascinating. Today, she focuses on how to activate creativity in others to make them feel 'more alive'.
What does creativity mean to you?
For me, creativity is a muscle that needs daily care, just like the rest of the body. It’s a superpower that we should put in the spotlight to feel passionately alive. Creativity is our soul at play. It’s a mental and emotional process that encourages an agile stance every day. Creativity is the expression of our uniqueness. It’s also about finding new ideas or solutions that help us move forward.
When do you feel most creative?
In the morning when I wake up, or in my sleep. That’s why I always have a notebook at the foot of my bed and jot things down at unexpected hours.
When I meditate and/or breathe mindfully (always in the morning when I get up).
When I’m in a new environment and/or one where I feel good.
When I do new things: sporting challenges, human experiences….
What are some of the most common obstacles people encounter when trying to develop their creativity, and how do you overcome them in your workshops?
There are a number of limiting beliefs about creativity, which makes me smile when I identify them at the beginning of my workshops. These include: fear of judgment, fear of making mistakes, imposter syndrome, lack of inspiration, lack of self-confidence, routine…
I strive to create a supportive bubble at the very beginning to set the right energy with a focus on human value and establishing total trust. This involves one or more ice-breakers to help participants see each other from a different perspective. I also demonstrate through exercises that creativity can mean many different things and it varies for each person. The pressure eases, and the co-creation process can begin.
How do you encourage participants to step out of their comfort zones and explore new creative avenues?
I encourage people to cultivate first-time experiences. I often ask people: When was the last time you did something for the first time? Multiplying first-time experiences in daily life allows for taking different paths, doing things differently, and exploring. Exploration without a specific goal is fertile ground for creativity.
Can you share some specific techniques or exercises you find particularly effective for stimulating creativity?
Forced Connections Exercise: Select 3 words (unrelated to each other). You have 3 minutes to write a law using the 3 words. Then do the same with creating a game.
Free Writing Exercise: Every morning upon waking, write automatically for a good 5 minutes. It doesn’t matter if it makes sense; the idea is to let your mind roam free without constraints.
Six Thinking Hats Exercise by De Bono: Encourage thinking from different perspectives to address problems and solutions differently. It’s an effective decision-making technique for businesses.
Define the subject/problem. Define the order of the hats. Limit the time for ideas per hat. Summarize (always ending with the blue hat).
White hat (neutral and objective side) - Red hat (emotional and intuitive side) - Black hat (critical side) - Yellow hat (optimistic side) - Green hat (creative side – new ideas) - Blue hat (organized and controlled side)
"Yes And" Exercise: Choose a starting sentence/assertion. Continue the story with "yes and" (rather than "yes but"). One idea per post-it. It’s a way to cultivate optimism and broaden our thinking.
What advice would you give to someone who feels blocked in their creativity and doesn’t know where to start developing it?
Change your environment, get some fresh air, break your routine.
Schedule exploration moments each week (exhibitions, first-time experiences, reading…)
Multiply encounters: each meeting is a new window on the world.
Set challenges for yourself (small and large with a sense of timing).
Start small and multiply actions daily.
Press pause, slow down! The best ideas can emerge in silence.
How do you see the future of education and the development of creativity, and what role do you think it will play in a rapidly evolving and complex world?
There is a huge playground for instilling creative culture in the education of the young. Schools increasingly need to encourage young people to connect with their creative energy, teaching them to cultivate creative habits in their own way. Several avenues seem essential to explore, such as:
Encouraging experimentation and learning from mistakes.
Valuing the diversity of talents and different forms of intelligence.
Establishing weekly creative breaks.
Exploring all forms of creativity in children, teenagers, and adults.
Finally, the question I always ask: What inspires you today?
I am interested in all natural methods that exist to enhance well-being. Dr. Joe Dispenza’s work is fascinating in this regard. He discusses quantum physics and neuroscience to illustrate our ability to reprogram our brains through the powers of meditation. It’s astonishing!
BITS AND BOBS TO GET INSPIRED THIS MONTH 🌈
I have read and applied the daily exercises from The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. A little spoiler: she specifically advises going on regular dates with yourself and writing in the morning.
There are 4 types of people who say "I’m not creative" according to Greg Roth. Read this article to see if you are one of them.
This 25-minute Arte documentary teaches us what creativity is. Under what conditions can creativity make us happy? A philosophical exploration hosted by Ronja von Rönne.
The School of Life explains how to find a creative job and avoid feeling stuck. "The liberating move is to see what we want exists in places beyond those we had identified." Watch it.
Take this test to measure your creativity.
I am inspired by these three deeply creative artists: Austin Kleon , Javir Royo and Georgia Perry.
And also by these three friends who turn their artistic passion into a beautiful gallery: Ela with drawing, Eleonore with photography, and Hélène with Uda ceramics.
My music for a creative boost: Hermanos Gutiérrez
OLI-REFLECTION 💭
This month, I'm challenging you to a creative test.
Click here and tell me what you’d like to challenge yourself with: writing, movement, or drawing?
I’d love to suggest a simple little game to explore it!
Did you enjoy this month's Oli-letter?
I'm happy to be able to connect with you, write to me!
Share it. That's what helps it grow 💌
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