Is there a ‘creative’ button somewhere I can push?

The ancient Greeks found it puzzling enough to merit the invention of a myth: They maintained that supernatural beings called “Muses” provided the creative spark. To this day, people talk about “my Muse” playing a visit (or not, if the artistic well seems dry). Remnants of that old story still exist: Our word “music” is derived from the Muse myth.

But that’s not the only myth surrounding the process. For a long time, people have thought in terms of right brain/left brain function, with the former being the locus of creative thought. We now know that’s not the case.

Because creativity can be an important factor in our lives and our vocations, people want to know if they can cultivate it. They ask, is there anything we can do to foster it or must we wait for a burst of inspiration from “out there”?

Studies exist on the subject and many authors have written extensively on it. There do appear to be actions we can take to initiate the process.

One of these actions is to simply think deeply about the creative solution we’re looking for. Preparation is key. Turning something over in the mind -- again and again -- can lead to new, imaginative approaches. That’s especially true if we set aside “the way we’ve always done it,” to explore fresh possibilities. 

Of course, deep thinking is more effective if we have deep knowledge. Gaining as much expertise as possible helps immensely. There’s no shortcut here.

For example, a person interested in songwriting can research successful artists to see how they work through the discipline, how the hooks, lyrics and melody come together for them. It’s a craft like any other. Gaining insight from practitioners can be invaluable.

Practice is also crucial. A person who wishes to write creatively and can’t seem to pull it off at first may just lack the necessary hours of writing logged. This works against the notion that some creative people are just “that way.” The reality is that deliberate practice -- i.e., practice that pushes outward each time beyond one’s ordinary boundaries -- can produce creative work over time. 

Immersing oneself in the creative work of others: Gaining inspiration from other imaginative souls can be of great benefit. For example, a writer who imbibes literature will find improvement faster than one who doesn’t. 

Being mindful about avoiding conformity as one’s default setting: Creative people often ask themselves, “OK, this is how people usually do this, but is there a better way?” They don’t reach for the first thing that comes to mind. They explore new options. 

Setting a deadline: While this doesn’t sound very inspiring, it’s true nevertheless. When there’s a due date for your creative work, you’ll often call upon resources of which you were previously unaware. 

So, go out there and be creative. It’s within your grasp.