15 Practical Ways To Be More Creative

Most people are unaware of this simple fact: creativity is the most in-demand soft skill in the world. According to LinkedIn, you don't have to be a genius to realize this, but it's an easy thing to overlook. We have entered the age of automation, so now more than ever, the world is thirsty for creative people.

We know some of you believe creativity is a skill only artists, graphic designers, or writers need to develop, but that's simply false. Creativity is problem-solving combined with novelty and relevance. Make no mistake, it is also a skill that can be trained. Curious to learn how? Well, you have come to the right place, Aluxer, because we are about to explore this very subject. If you want to become a high-value individual and set yourself apart from the crowd, this video is a must-watch.

Here are 15 practical ways to be more creative.

1. Expand your field of expertise. Since our earliest days, most of us are told that going to school, getting a job, and playing it safe are the secret ingredients to a good life. But that's linear, and it's very likely that by following this advice, you'll end up mediocre at best. The system we live in does not teach individuals to be creative, so it's up to you to change that. People who think education and curiosity stop in college fail to understand that the world belongs to generalists and creative individuals. That's why expanding your field of expertise is a necessary checkmark if you want to be creative and successful.

When you learn about new subjects, you expose yourself to new ideas and concepts that can spark creativity. This can also help you make connections between seemingly unrelated fields, leading to more innovative solutions to problems. You can see how this can compound over time; when you have a diverse set of knowledge and experiences, you can approach problems from different angles. This will allow you to make better and more informed decisions than others because you just get better at connecting the dots and painting the bigger picture. So if you are curious by nature, don't shy away from exploring different niches. You never know when that information is going to serve you well in your creative endeavors.

2. Explore new hobbies. Creativity is all about stimulating your brain, and the best way to do that is by exploring new and exciting hobbies. Now, this requires a lot of time, but it will sharpen your brain and turn you into a continuous learner. Besides the obvious boost in creativity, you will also experience more satisfaction, and once you get a taste of it, there's no going back. You'll simply want more and more.

Make no mistake, people that have a lot of hobbies also tend to be happier. That's because there is meaning in exploring and mastering new ideas and activities. Creativity has no boundaries, so by this argument alone, we can confidently say that the more you interact with new activities, the more creative you will get. So if you ever dreamed of starting an exciting hobby, this is the sign you were waiting for—go out there, learn something new, and put your skills to great use.

3. Change your environment. Changing your environment can be a powerful way to boost your creativity. The environment in which you work or spend most of your time is crucial because it can influence your mood, energy level, and ability to focus. If you are always spending time in the same places, your brain will get accustomed to it and the various stimuli born from interacting with the scenery.

By going outside, working in a coffee shop, or simply changing the room you are practicing in, you are going to increase the stimulation levels in your brain. Besides that, it will also force you to change your routine, which will remove that stagnation feeling that we often get when engaging in repetition. All in all, a change of environment is recommended from time to time simply because it can act as a source of inspiration. Just make sure the place you decide to go fits the tasks you have set out to accomplish; you want to be focused, not easily distracted.

4. Practice divergent thinking. If you are unfamiliar with the concept, divergent thinking is a thinking approach that involves generating many different ideas or solutions to a problem. This practice requires you to move beyond traditional or logical thinking and explore a wide range of possibilities rather than just one correct answer.

Brainstorming, for example, involves divergent thinking because it encourages participants to come up with as many ideas as possible without worrying about whether they are practical or feasible. You can easily see how this is a good exercise for those who want to experience higher levels of creativity. Thinking about solutions, remaining flexible, and seeing things from multiple perspectives is just a great thing to do in your daily life as well, so if brainstorming sessions did not excite you until now, now know that they are the best way to put creativity into practice and sharpen your problem-solving skills.

5. Leave your comfort zone. Comfort is the enemy of greatness and a sure path to stagnation. When you do things that are outside of your comfort zone, you are forced to confront new challenges and situations, and finding solutions to those requires a high degree of creativity. Taking on new challenges, changing your routine, or simply trying something that is considered genuinely hard is a great way to put this into practice.

Most people fear leaving their comfort zone because they don't want to experience failure, but what they don't understand is that failure is the best teacher and it's a natural step in their evolution. Playing it safe is not an option, and true Aluxors know this by now. For us, it's simple: if you want to be creative, it's time to leave your comfort zone and seek out more challenges.

6. Read good books. Books are one of the best sources of inspiration, especially those that are thought-provoking. When you read a book, you are basically capturing the writer's perspective and experience on a certain subject. Besides expanding your knowledge, reading books can make room for new ideas and new ways of approaching daily problems and social interactions.

Reading, analyzing, and meditating on different texts will improve your critical thinking skills, boost your creativity, and make you smarter overall. If reading is still not a habit in your daily life, well, just know that you are hindering your ability to be more creative. We've made several videos on books that are worth reading, so if you don't know where to start, just browse around our channel; you'll certainly find a book that suits you.

7. Be authentic. We live in an age where people tend to dismiss the value of authenticity. Following trends, your favorite celebrity, or artist is all fun and games, but it all comes at a cost. If you want to be more creative, you should make the difference between getting inspired and copying what someone is doing.

When you are authentic, you are more likely to tap into your own unique perspective and experiences, which can help stimulate your creativity. You are also less likely to be swayed by external influences or the opinions of others. Think about all the great artists of the world, like Salvador Dali, Van Gogh, Gauguin, and even Leonardo da Vinci or Michelangelo. They made it to the history books because they learned to be creative while also remaining authentic to their style and ideas.

Getting inspired is great; just don't forget to always add some personal flavor to it.

8. Go outside. Going outside, taking walks, and reflecting on your day are great ways to boost creativity. Not only are you disconnecting from work, which will make room for new ideas to flood your brain, but you're also going to get inspired by the environment. In order to tap into the creative force, you need to be in a relaxed state of mind. Spending time outside and interacting with nature has been shown to have a positive effect on well-being, and this is a prerequisite for creativity.

Our brains are easily distracted; you can't get creative unless you are in a relaxed state of mind. So make sure to always make some time to unwind and disconnect from your work.

9. Meditate. Meditation is a practice that involves focusing your attention on a particular object, thought, or activity in order to increase awareness and relaxation. There are a number of ways in which meditation can boost creativity. First, meditation can help reduce stress and increase relaxation, which can improve cognitive function and help boost creativity.

Secondly, meditation will enhance your ability to focus and concentrate, which can help you stay on track and be more productive in your creative endeavors. Meditation can also help expand awareness and increase openness to new experiences and ideas, which can help stimulate creative thinking. As you can see, there are a lot of good reasons to meditate, aside from the most commonly known positives. So if you are experiencing difficulties in organizing your thoughts and expanding on different ideas, consider turning meditation into a daily practice.

10. Exercise. A healthy mind needs a healthy body in order to function properly. Exercise has been shown to improve cognitive function including memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. These cognitive improvements can help boost creativity, reduce stress, and improve your mood overall.

Some consider exercising a form of meditation, hence the similarities. Suffice it to say, exercising is a great way to unwind and creates the setup for long and creative work sessions. Numerous studies have shown that creativity and activity are linked to one another, so if you are a static person, consider changing this for a while.

11. Spend time with creative individuals. There is no better way to learn how to be creative than spending time with individuals who have already mastered this art. Each of us is unique, but we have much to learn from people who made a living from leveraging creativity. They enjoy a freedom that most of us only dream of, and in the age of social media and free content, everyone can shoot their shot. It's just a matter of choice, and what you do every day will decide your journey.

Besides, creative individuals may be able to offer valuable feedback and support as you work on your own creative projects. This can help you refine your ideas and improve your creative output.

12. Learn to play an instrument. Learning how to play a musical instrument is probably one of the most fun activities one can engage in. It's also a great way to develop your creativity. How well as you become more proficient at playing your instrument, you may find that you are able to express your creative ideas more fully and effectively through music.

Besides that, playing an instrument can also be a great way to relax and unwind, which can help to clear your mind and allow your creativity to flow more freely. What's cool is that there are plenty of free and available resources on the internet, so you don't even need an instructor. So what are you waiting for?

13. Allow yourself to daydream. Daydreaming is a double-edged sword; it can help you put your life in perspective and unwind, but be wary about doing it too often, as it can easily turn into procrastination. Thinking about your future life and goals is all fun and games, but you also have to take action.

When you daydream, you allow your mind to wander and consider different scenarios and possibilities, which can help to stimulate your creative thinking. This mental space can be especially useful when you are faced with a creative challenge or trying to come up with new ideas. As you can see, daydreaming can be a great source of creativity—just don't forget about the real world.

14. Change your mindset. Changing your mindset can boost your creativity in several ways. Let's talk about the growth mindset first. It's a fact that your abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and learning. This can help you to approach challenges and problems with a more open and receptive attitude. The growth mindset will encourage you to try new things and think creatively, rather than becoming discouraged or giving up when faced with difficult tasks.

Secondly, changing your mindset to be more positive and optimistic can also help to boost your creativity, as negative thoughts and feelings can inhibit creative thinking. So as you can see, creativity can be highly dependent on your mindset. Consider taking some action in this regard as well.

15. Spend some time alone. John Paul Sartre once famously said, "If you are lonely when you're alone, you are in bad company." Spending time alone enables you to focus on your own thoughts and ideas without distractions or interruptions. Having the space and time to reflect and think deeply about your ideas can help you to develop and refine them more effectively.

Spending time alone can also give you the freedom to be more spontaneous and try out new things without the pressure of other people's expectations or judgments. The most creative people out there tend to be loners, so don't be afraid of spending some time alone. You might stumble upon some brilliant ideas and thoughts.

And that's a wrap-up for today, Aluxer! How are you engaging in creativity on a daily basis? We are curious to know, so make sure to drop your answers in the comments below. If you found this video useful, don't forget to tip us with a like for the YouTube algorithm and share the video with your friends. As always, thank you for watching, and if you are hungry for more, check out this video.