12 Simple Ways To Boost Your Creativity

12 SIMPLE WAYS TO BOOST
YOUR CREATIVITY

© 2021 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
12 SIMPLE WAYS TO BOOST YOUR CREATIVITY
Creativity enables creative thinking (coming up with new ideas) and problem-solving
(implementing ideas to make things better) – both skills that are highly attractive in the
workplace. So, it’s no surprise that the World Economic Forum listed creativity as one of the
ten essential skills needed to thrive in the fourth industrial revolution. (That’s in any
profession or industry, not just creative ones.) In case you're wondering, creativity ranked
third, just behind problem-solving and critical thinking.

Importantly, I’m not talking about creativity in terms of fine art, music, performing arts,
architecture, and the like. I'm talking about a humbler definition of creativity: the act of
turning imaginative ideas into reality. Therefore, you don’t have to produce a museum-worthy
piece of art to be deemed creative; producing solutions to a problem by imagining different
scenarios is creative. Thinking of creativity in this way bursts the notion that creativity is
something that only special, “gifted” people have (and are born with). The truth is, we all have
the ability to create. And if the World Economic Forum is right, it’s a skill we must all cultivate
for future success.

Here are 12 ways to tune into your creativity:
1. 1. Ask lots of questions. Creative people are curious people, so deploy your critical thinking
skills and ask questions that challenge how things currently are, so that you can imagine how
they could be.
1. 2. Widen your network. Hanging out with people who have different life experiences and
knowledge is a great way to expose yourself to new ideas. So, meet new people, have lots of
interesting conversations, and watch your creative horizons expand.
1. 3. Go to new places. Travel is another excellent way to expand your mind. But this doesn’t
necessarily mean taking a big, expensive trip overseas. Something as simple as working from a
different coffee shop or going on a new walk can boost your observation skills.

1. 4. Look for patterns. Richard Branson’s mantra for success is ABCD – Always Be Connecting the
Dots – so try to draw connections between different questions, ideas, and problems. This may
highlight interesting solutions.
1. 5. Keep a journal. I keep an ideas journal handy, and I'm always jotting things down – an
interesting theory from an article I've read, a new phrase I haven't heard before, a new book
idea, interesting observations, anything. Doing this, I've noticed I make surprising connections
between unexpected topics.
1. 6. Read more. I know it can be hard to find time for reading in today’s busy world, which is
why I like to listen to audiobooks while I’m running. This often sparks new ideas – which I’ll
capture right then and there as a voice note on my phone and then later transfer to my ideas
journal.

1. 7. Unplug and create headspace. Having just said I like to listen to audiobooks while I run, I also
make sure to regularly run or walk without listening to anything at all! Being alone with your
thoughts creates space for new ideas to bubble to the surface – and some of my best ideas have
come during these periods of quiet.
1. 8. Daydream. From big daydreams like imagining a whole new career or small daydreams like
visualizing the perfect anniversary meal, it’s important to take time to dream. This can be tricky in
this age of information overload, but you can boost your daydreaming capabilities by simply not
reaching for your phone during idle moments.
1. 9. Maintain a positive mindset. Research shows that a good mood boosts the brain’s ability to
come up with innovative, creative thoughts, while a bad mood leads to more analytical,
straightforward thinking. So why not try out some mood-enhancing techniques like mindfulness,
gratitude, and positive affirmations?

1. 10. Exercise. It's no secret that exercise is brilliant for boosting your mood because it floods the body
with feel-good hormones like endorphins and serotonin while reducing stress hormones like adrenaline
and cortisol.
1. 11. Maintain a healthy sleep routine. Improving your sleep is another solid way to maintain a more
positive mindset and, in turn, improve your creativity. Not only does sleep boost your physical energy,
but it also gives the brain a crucial resting period in which to dream up interesting ideas and
connections. To build good sleep habits, try going to bed and getting up at the same times every day,
ensure your bedroom is dark and at a comfortable temperature, and stay away from screens in the hour
or two before bed.
1. 12. Practice, practice, practice. Tuning into your creativity is like learning to play the piano or run a
marathon – it takes time and regular practice. So try to build some or all of the above steps into your
regular daily routine, and you'll soon notice the creative benefits.

Read more about creativity and other essential skills in my new book, Future Skills: The
20 Skills & Competencies Everyone Needs To Succeed In A Digital World. Written for
anyone who wants to surf the wave of digital transformation – rather than be drowned
by it – the book explores why these vital future skills matter and how to develop them.

© 2021 Bernard Marr , Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Bernard Marr is an internationally best-selling author, popular keynote speaker,
futurist, and a strategic business & technology advisor to governments and
companies. He helps organisations improve their business performance, use data
more intelligently, and understand the implications of new technologies such as
artificial intelligence, big data, blockchains, and the Internet of Things.
LinkedIn has ranked Bernard as one of the world’s top 5 business influencers. He is a
frequent contributor to the World Economic Forum and writes a regular column for
Forbes. Every day Bernard actively engages his 1.5 million social media followers and
shares content that reaches millions of readers.

hello@bernardmarr.com
www.bernardmarr.com

12 Simple Ways To Boost Your Creativity

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