Get the Creative Juices Flowing

What it takes to be creative, everyone can do it

"Creativity is intelligence having fun" - Albert Einstein

Being creative takes courage.

Thinking outside the box requires the ability to embrace imperfections.

Nothing creative has ever come from fear.

Essential to art in any form is the ability to imagine the possible.

“Creative without strategy is called art. Creative with strategy is called advertising” – Jef I. Richards, author and Ph.D. Professor at the universities of Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan State and Texas.

Dictionary.com defines creativity as the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.

Creativity is the driving force behind the advancement of civilizations through originality, progressiveness, and imagination. Since the beginning of time, brave new ideas have challenged societal norms. Without the courage to take chances and act on the desire to create, innovation and product development wouldn’t see the day of light.

Successful campaigns, or content that lingers, come from rare and unique ideas. This outcome derives from breaking patterns in marketing and being daring enough to execute.

Imagining the possible, whether it’s a solution to a problem or a tangible experience, marketers need to be endlessly creative. Creative minds are naturally creative, but creativity can be generated by pushing the envelope of experiences.

10 Common Attributes of a Creative Person:

1. Curious: A desire to learn and explore new things. Ask questions and seek new experiences and knowledge. Interested in a wide range of topics.

2. Imaginative: Ability to think beyond conventional ways and envision new possibilities. Able to visualize different outcomes.

3. Open-minded: Tolerant of new ideas and able to put aside personal biases. Adaptable to situations and options.

4. Persistent & Determined: Strong will with the ability to surge forward beyond potential obstacles. View challenges as opportunities and not barriers.

5. Risk-Taker: Bold and courageous, ability to step outside their comfort zones. Confident in themselves and willing to learn along the way.

6. Passionate: Enthusiastic and motivated by things that interest them. Often contagious, their energy will motivate others around them.

7. Flexible: Adaptable and able to adjust to suggestions or situations. Able to consider opposing views and often have a positive attitude.

8. Independent: Able to act for themselves and confidently take solo responsibility.

9. Sensitive & Empathetic: Have a deep understanding of their own emotions and those around them. Respond with compassion and a caring perspective.

10. Playful: Often spontaneous with a good sense of humour. Open and authentic with a vitality for life.

How To Help Get The Creative Juices Flowing:

1.     Seek a supportive and encouraging environment

2. Engage with a variety of individuals

3. Try new things, every day

4. Embrace failure as a learning opportunity

5. Challenge assumptions and conventions

6.  Keep a journal to capture ideas and observations

7.  Seek collaboration to generate new perspectives

8. Stay curious and ask questions

9. Celebrate more (seeing the positive in even the smallest of things will open the door to new positive experiences)

A willingness to explore and consider different ideas or perspectives while challenging the status quo with critical thinking is key to coming up with that aha idea. Taking a different route to work or school will offer new experiences and perspectives. Trying a new food or activity could result in a newfound cultural appreciation or palate expansion you would never have had without. Sharing ideas could lead to results you never expected. Even if you think it’s dumb, silly or something your team will never grab onto, speak your mind. You might be surprised by the response, and maybe it’s just the ticket to getting that wheel moving, or maybe, just maybe, you’ll reinvent it!