Written by Amanda Devine
|
15 February 2010
IGNITE YOUR CREATIVITY
Using a creative skill to earn a living can have a profound effective on one's creativity. The day-to-day tasks and issues of running a small business often detract from what used to be a natural process, as your mind becomes focused on survival. However, it helps to remember that this can happen at any time, regardless of whether you are in business or not, life itself can get in the way.
What helps me in this kind of situation is to take some time out and remember what it was I enjoyed about my choice of creative pursuit in the first place. Just spending time away from the "business" aspect of my life helps to refresh and rejuvenate my enthusiasm, so I often take a break to go for a walk to the beach or to visit a bookshop. These little breaks help keep my mind from thought-overload and even when you think you simply don't have the time, are essential in order to continue creatively.
Another source of inspiration for me is to immerse myself in my industry. This is not about looking for ideas to copy, it is just wonderfully motivating to connect with like-minded people and be able to appreciate what it is that they do; you will often find that this encourages your creativity.
For those days when nothing seems to help, or for those of you who just cannot get started, I have compiled a list of 100 Creative Sparks to ignite your creativity and motivate your enthusiasm:
- Make a to-do list of indulgences, not tasks.
- Listen to music. I simply couldn't live without it. For a local flavour look here for inspiration. http://sarocks.co.za/category/music/
- Go to public place and take some photographs or browse through Cape Town Daily Photo. http://www.capetowndailyphoto.com/
- Be a tourist in your own city for a day. www.citysightseeing.co.za/
- Write a song about your first love.
- Design a cover for your favourite book or magazine or use an online fun site like Big Huge Labs to create one. http://bighugelabs.com/magazine.php
- Create a logo for a social project. Try Dry Icons or for a tutorial concept, but my absolute favourite reference for this type of project is Logo Design Love. [IMAGE] http://dryicons.com/blog/2009/02/28/logo-design-process-tutorial/ http://www.logodesignlove.com/
- Learn to draw, or if that is your skill then try using your opposite hand to draw. http://www.posemaniacs.com/ 9.
- Simplify your life. Subscribe to Zen Habits. http://zenhabits.net/ 10.
- Visit the Aquarium. http://www.aquarium.co.za/
