If there’s anything the four-step creative process in A Guide to Unlocking the Creative Process: Part 1 taught us, it’s that creativity doesn’t have to be a shot in the dark. It can be well-structured, enriching and fruitful. But even with a framework, many fears keep us from taking that first step. So, how do we get started?

Being creative is like running a marathon. If you decided to run 26.2 miles on a whim, with barely any training, would you be able to? Sure, you might be able to huff and puff your way to the finish line with noodle-y legs, but that wouldn’t yield the best results. That’s what creativity looks like without discipline and consistency. You might be able to churn out something, but the process would be harder than it should be, and your output would fall short. So, how do you train your “mental muscles” to be creative? Read on to learn about habits, techniques and exercises that will help you cross the finish line.

Techniques for Generating Creative Ideas 

If you’ve wondered what to do in the moment right after a new idea strikes or a creative brief is sent your way, here are some techniques to get you started.

Brainstorming

Brainstorming is a great jumping-off point for the creative process. In simple terms, it’s idea generation minus all that judgment. And we agree –  judgment is necessary to filter out bad ideas. But if you do it too early in the process, you end up with a blank screen or worse – a blank mind. Instead, by first doing this simple quantity-over-quality exercise in a short time span (say five minutes), you can get your ideas flowing. Here are some ways to brainstorm:

  • Word association: Start with your goal or idea, and then write the related words that come to mind. Set a timer or keep writing till you run out of words. You could also make multiple lists and correlate words from different lists for new ideas – the possibilities are endless.

  • Cubing: If you’d like a more analytical approach, cubing might be your pick. It involves applying six viewpoints to your idea and then brainstorming the answers in a short time frame (don’t spend too long on each question):

    • Describe it.

    • Compare it.

    • Associate it.

    • Analyze it.

    • Apply it.

    • Argue for or against it.

  • Walk/Physical activity: This is simple. Take a walk or do an activity (pen or phone in hand, of course) and note all the ideas that arise in your mind within a set time frame. 

For brainstorming in groups, you can either use sticky notes and white boards or online tools.

Mind Mapping

If brainstorming had a smarter cousin, mind mapping would be it. A mind map is a handy visual thinking tool. It has one central idea at the center and other related ideas branching off from it. Using a mind map, you can maintain your train of thought, organize your ideas and visually represent the relationships and hierarchies of your ideas. You don’t have to think each element through before noting it, but you can choose which ones to expand on. It also gives you a big-picture perspective on your creative project.

To create a mind map, you could use pen and paper or a mind mapping tool like Miro. Here’s how to do it:

  • Write your main idea or theme at the center of the page.

  • Draw branches from it (representing the subtopics or related concepts).

  • From each branch, add more lines to expand on each subtopic.

  • Use keywords and images to represent ideas to make your map more engaging and memorable.

  • Draw lines between related concepts across different branches to show connections.

Fun Creative Exercises

Ten minutes. That’s all the time you need in a day to do creative exercises (like going to a brain gym!) that will get your creative brain machinery working. Whether you’re working through a creative block or trying to warm up before you get started, here are some fun and remarkably simple exercises we’ve curated for you to incorporate into your routine. 

Incomplete Figures

This exercise is based on the Incomplete Figure Test. You can take an incomplete drawing and make your own picture and title it. If in a group, you could discuss your different approaches and drawings! 

You could also do the same exercise with a phrase. Set a phrase, then draw something based on it within a small time frame. 

If these don’t tickle your brain, try squiggle birds! Draw squiggles on a page, and then turn those squiggles into birds within a few minutes. (You can do these even if you’re a writer – really, we’re not gonna stop you.)

The Thirty Circles Exercise 

This is fun and quick. You can either print a sheet of paper with 30 blank circles or find a digital version. The challenge is to fill in as many circles as possible in three minutes, focusing on quantity over quality. Your circles could have a theme or be unique. 

Alternate Use Exercise

For this divergent-thinking exercise, you have to brainstorm as many different uses as possible for a single object within three minutes. For instance, what other uses could you think of for a plastic bottle? Here’s what we have: a bird feeder, a funnel, a vase and a scooper for pet food. What did you come up with?

Freewriting

Here’s one for the writers. For this exercise, you write continuously for a set time without worrying about grammar, structure, syntax and so on. The goal is to write without worrying about what the reader will interpret, how a sentence reads, etc. Remember, this isn’t the final draft. But by allowing yourself creative freedom, you might generate ideas, phrases or sentences worth publishing or overcome writing roadblocks.

Habits to Enhance Creativity

Want to expand and deepen your creative reservoir and strengthen your skills? Here are some habits you can adopt: 

  • Embrace curiosity: A curious mind is a creative mind. So, always seek out new experiences – new hobbies, places, cultural events, etc. At the same time, don’t ignore the ordinary – identify what aspects of your existing surroundings inspire you. 

  • Practice: Whatever your craft, practice it. If writing is your calling, write every day, even if what you’re writing feels uninspired at first. This will train you to be available when inspiration strikes. By churning out more, you will have a wider variety of creative output and increase your chances of coming up with something original. 

  • Experiment: Switch up your medium from time to time. For example, if digital art is your thing, try using watercolors on paper instead. This is the only way to overcome the fear of failure and perfectionism – building resilience by trying and experimenting constantly.

  • Create a routine: While creativity often involves thinking outside the box, having a structured routine and a dedicated workspace can help you get into the “zone.” Also, set deadlines. While they can feel like stressful additions to an already stressful process, they provide necessary structure and enhance focus. 

  • Collaborate: Working with others can open up new creative avenues. Collaborations bring fresh perspectives and ideas, pushing you to think in new ways. Look for opportunities to work with people from different backgrounds and disciplines.

Conclusion

Creativity is more discipline than magic; a lot of it is within our control. Yet many of us are unsure of where to begin when faced with creative tasks. The good news is that with the right techniques and habits, we can overcome our fears and navigate the process. When it comes to idea generation, techniques like brainstorming and mind mapping come in handy. They enable us to generate several ideas to choose from and build on throughout the creative process. Engaging in creative exercises regularly helps us break out of creative blocks. It’s especially important to make creative thinking habitual through regular practice and experimentation. 

Remember, creativity is a long game. By taking a methodical approach to honing and harnessing it, you can overcome the fears that stifle your creativity.