How to become more creative in four quiet steps

Every day, I spend time with my coaching clients supporting them to develop new ways of thinking about their current situation and new and better ideas for what clients want for the future. These conversations are a wonderful example of a shared creative process.

Many of us though, don’t think of these kinds of conversations or other aspects of our everyday lives as full of creativity unless we work in creative industries like design, music, film, or other art forms.

But opportunities to invite more creativity into our lives are exponential.

Everything we do is creation.

When we are kind, we create the possibility for connection. When we are open-minded, we create the opportunity for new ideas or new partnerships. Whether we are making a plan at work, supporting a friend through a difficult time, or teaching a child a new concept, the ability to think freely, clearly, and divergently, and to craft new possibilities for the future we want depends on our ability to tap into and grow our capacity for creativity.

 So how do we do this?

1. Accept that it is possible.

Leave behind the itty bitty shitty committee in your head that has already decided what your level of creativity is, and is ready to judge your efforts as soon as they get started. It’s not true you can’t work with the other half of your brain. That’s old science.

2. Stop measuring creativity by every outcome

Creativity is a practice and if you are trying something new like writing strategy or making a pot on a pottery wheel you should not expect that first attempt (or any attempt) to be without cracks.

3. Pay attention to whether and how you are judging what you create.

Listen to your thoughts, notice how you feel as you attempt to do or procrastinate something that asks for creativity. For example, capitalism has taught us to assess what we make, build, think, or contribute based on what or whether other people will pay for it. Resist this.

4. Make space.

Actively work to notice, accept, and let go of the static and interference you encounter in those first 3 steps.

How do you notice, accept, and let go of the static?

There is for example the static of feeling a scarcity of time. How often have you said something like, “I would really love to think more strategically about this or how to do this differently, but I don’t have time.” or “I would love to get back into painting, but I don’t have time.” While it is true that we have more or less time to devote to new things at different seasons of our lives, time feels most scarce when the static of self-judgment is loudest.

So the real trick is better understanding your own static. Sit still. Breathe. And witness what is happening in your body and mind and begin to understand the patterns that make up the static. What’s the story chattering right below the surface just outside of your awareness that is getting in the way? How quick does self-judgment rise up when something is difficult, complex, or new? What’s the soundtrack of your daily life when you’re on auto pilot in the car or washing the dishes? What kind of thoughts tend to bubble up when you settle and sit still?

Through a mindful awareness of our current story, non-judging acceptance of where we are in that story, and a commitment to being with that whatever it is and watching as it changes, we can create the space for new possibilities. This is creativity in action. Mindful meditation can help with this by giving us a chance to practice.

Which brings us back to the first step — leaving behind the itty bitty shitty committee. This is hard! But meditation and mindfulness can support this. There are many studies that demonstrate the impact of mindfulness and meditation on all aspects of our lives including creativity. I like studies, I like data, I love evidence, and hurray for science! But the only way to get the answers you need for your own life, is to witness yourself as often as you can as your life unfolds.  

You don’t have to call this anything, you don’t have to know ‘how’ to do this to start. Finding a bit of space every day — 5-15 minutes to start — could transform your ability to ‘find time’ in other ways by being able to calm your mind and notice unhelpful thoughts. Sitting quietly helps us make better choices even when (or especially when) sitting quietly is hard and does not necessarily feel quiet.* As Amelia Earhart once said, “The most effective way to do it, is to do it.” Just sit still and see what happens.

If that feels daunting, find a friend or a group of humans, or other beings, or nature and sit quietly with them. In the Buddhist tradition, community — sangha — is considered equal to the teachings — the dharma — and to the original teacher — the Buddha. Community is essential to do difficult things. An African proverb sums this up: “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

The path to greater creativity — to fully realizing the gifts you want to give others and yourself — is a path to letting go of self-judgment. It’s a quiet step but not an easy one so you’re probably going to want to start practicing soon.

If you want to join our secular online community practice on Monday nights at 7:30-8:30pm you are most welcome! We’ll have a short talk (last week was on creativity), and then we will sit together. Sessions are drop in and donation based. Check it out here: https://www.pinwheelstrategies.com/mindfulmondaysrsvp

*If you try to sit and it is genuinely painful, intolerable, or makes you feel worse off, stop. For those of us with trauma settling into quiet can be very activating and you’ll want support from a trained meditation teacher or a psychotherapist with relevant meditation experience. Movement meditation or contemplation might be better for you as a first step. Please don’t hesitate to ask for resources on this @ kbouchane@pinwheelstrategies.com