10 Quick Exercises to Boost Your Creativity
By: Shannon Ashley
Tags: Coaching Corner, Inspiration, Writing, Creativity, Work

Adults often have a love hate relationship with creativity. Many grownups don’t feel especially “good” at being creative. As if it’s natural to lose our creativity as we age.

Even those of us in creative fields like writing, music, or design frequently find ourselves hitting our heads against the wall as if creativity requires some sort of sacrifice to a mystical muse. While hopping three times with our hands behind our back.

We make creativity much harder than it has to be, probably because we’re so focused on the results. But true creativity requires freedom. The freedom to experiment and make plenty of mistakes.

Of course, that includes the freedom to quit worrying about looking like a fool.

1. Set a timer for 10 to 20 minutes every day.

This is your creative workout. Make it short enough to be doable for you, but long enough to help you feel like you got in a good exercise.

Schedule it, and then set a timer. Use the timer on your smart phone, or get a dedicated timer that’s exclusively used for your creative exercises.

Bonus points if you can find a timer that inspires you.

Image via Amazon

Once you find your perfect timer, it’s up to you if you’re going to go with a specific creative exercise or follow your gut and freestyle the whole session.

2. Try a little Zentangle.

Zentangle is an 8-step method of design that isn’t just creative but incredibly relaxing too.

What I really like about Zentangle is the way it breaks down the “big picture” into simple steps. It’s an activity that engages your brain much like knitting or crochet, and when you’re finished, you’ll have something very cool to show for your time.

mboyes on pixabay

A few months ago, I picked up a similarly themed book called Zenspirations Dangle Designs. It's another great method for doodling and getting those creative juices flowing.

3. Go for quantity over quality.

Whether you’re a writer, painter, musician, or teacher, it pays to make your creative time a prolific one.

Many folks think that quality trumps quantity, but in terms of idea generation, you really need to use up as many ideas as you can to help yourself come up with something truly out of the box.

The next time you decide to have a freestyle creativity session, focus on quantity first. You might be surprised to see what great ideas you end up with.

4. Write new lyrics to the melody of a favorite song.

Music is such a great mood lifter, and it’s a wonderful way to put your brain on autopilot, which is something your creative self seriously needs.

But what would happen if you began ad libbing your own lyrics to a song that keeps playing on the radio? Could you come up with an entirely new story?

Try it out and let me know.

5. Complete a task with your non-dominant hand.

There are some great brain benefits to using your non-dominant hand in everyday tasks.

I’m all for anything that boosts our brain power, but the coolest thing in my opinion, is how using your other hand will tap into the brain hemisphere that’s typically underutilized.

Think about it. Using the side of your brain that you never rely on means tapping into ideas you never knew you had.

So, whether you draw a picture, write a note, or create a craft, think of using your non-dominant hand as a special workout for your creative side.

6. Change up your environment.

Where do you usually work on your creative endeavors? Lots of people work indoors, perhaps at home, school, or the office.

You can easily recharge your creativity by practicing in new environments. Try writing a poem outside. Take your sketchpad to the zoo or conservatory. Try working on a creative project in a very noisy place, and then a very quiet one. An enclosed space, and a large one.

See if you notice a difference in how well you operate within different places. And give yourself the ability to breathe new creative air.

7. Exercise when you brainstorm.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Exercise is good for the body and mind. It’s so good for our brains, that it can even boost our creativity.

I love the creative power I feel when I hit the treadmill (I just walk on a steep incline) and play a mix of my favorite songs. That’s when I come up with my best ideas and feel most inspired. Again, I’m pretty sure it’s partly the power of going on autopilot.

If you’ve got ten minutes and a piece of cardio equipment that’s been collecting dust, brush it off for a quick creative workout.

8. Draw a picture or write a letter without looking at your hand or the page.

This one is so strange, but it’s another good way to give your brain a boost. Most of us are used to looking at our hands and paper when we write or draw.

It’s a bit startling, but try a quick picture or letter with your eyes closed. Can’t trust yourself not to look? Throw a lightweight towel over your hand and the page.

See what happens when you’re not looking.

9. Try new writing prompts.

You don’t have to be a writer to benefit from a writing prompt. In fact, you don’t need to consider yourself a writer to benefit from writing at all.

In general, a routine writing habit offers immense benefits to every type of person.

But if you aren’t a writer, or, if you’re used to writing very specific things, you might be unsure what to regularly write about. If that’s you, consider a daily writing prompt.

Pick a prompt, and for 10 minutes, just write. There are no wrong answers when you do a writing prompt. Don’t worry about editing or even telling a good story.

Just write.

10. Channel another artist.

Here’s something I am planning to do more of. Pick a favorite artist. It might be a writer, painter, actor, comedian, or anyone else whose work you really admire.

Create a piece of art in their voice, as best as you can. Obviously, it’s going to wind up being your interpretation of their voice, but that’s okay.

The point is to make art (anything) that sounds like them, instead of you. It’s an interesting way to flex your creative muscles and do something you’ve never done before.

Bonus tip: Always create like nobody is watching.

Whatever you do with each creative exercise, throw your whole self into the endeavor and forget about looking foolish.

Creative genius flows when we let down our guards and create without any inhibitions getting in the way and telling us that our ideas are dumb.

Real creativity is all about exiting that zone where we fear, worry, or label our ideas in a negative way.

Give yourself just 10 minutes every day to unleash your creativity, and you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to jump back into your creative flow whenever you like.