3 Daily Habits to Enhance Your Creativity

Creativity is a key component of success and personal fulfillment. Whether you’re an artist, writer, musician, or simply looking to bring a fresh perspective to your work, nurturing your creative side can have a positive impact on your life. Here are three things you can do every day to tap into your creative potential.

Creativity is about having an abundance mindset rather than a scarcity mindset. Here are 3 things you can do every day to foster your creative side:

1. Positive self-talk: Negative self-talk can be detrimental to our creativity and confidence. Words like “I’m an idiot” when we make a mistake can prevent us from continuing to learn and grow. Instead, practice grace and understanding with yourself. Remind yourself that you would never say such negative things to your friends or family, so why say them to yourself? At the end of each day, take 10 minutes to journal and reflect on any negative self-talk you may have had. If you catch yourself saying anything negative to yourself, find a positive way to rephrase it. So instead of, “I am horrible with managing my time” try “I prioritized certain tasks over other tasks today” (and ask if you are prioritizing those things that will bring you joy or will allow you to add the most value to your life). Also, instead of, “I am just not one of those people who is creative” try “I am learning and growing every day and I am leaning into my creativity.” There are also moments where we might compare ourselves to others and see other people as having more joy, and you need to remind yourself that there is not a finite amount of joy and this is not a competition.
2. Showing up mindfully: Creativity often requires presence and mindfulness. Set aside 10 minutes each day to reflect on art, either created by you or someone else. Listen to music and write down two things you found unique or creative about it. Or look at a painting and write down a few things that catch your eye and how those things make you feel. Alternatively, you can carry your phone with you and take pictures of five objects you find interesting. You can then write down why you chose each object. Ideally, you can jump between these activities and even if you are really pressed for time, you can listen to a song and record your thoughts on your phone.
3. Collaborative self-awareness: To foster your creative side, it’s a nice hack to have a trusted group of people who can give you constructive feedback. Pick your “board of directors” – friends, co-workers, and/or family members – and share with them your goal of embracing your creative side more. And explain to them that this requires you to push through negative self-talk and to lean into those things you currently do that feed your creativity. Ask them what you should start doing, stop doing, and continue doing to show up as a positive, impactful, and creative person. You decide if what they said has merit, and if it does this will be a unique awareness you did not previously have. We are all in this together. Reflect daily on their advice and at the end of the month, follow up with your “board of directors” to see how you’re doing. Trust is key, so start with just one person and work your way up.

By incorporating these habits into your daily routine, you will be able to foster your creative side, develop a positive mindset, and grow as a creative person.