Creativity is a state not a trait. How often are you in that state? For some people they rarely if ever are in a creative state of mind. If you are reading this you’re probably crunched for time, so lets dive right in.

No, no, no

If you want to spend more time creating, start saying no. Schedule time for your creative work, and short of an emergency everything else can wait.

If your boss asks you to work longer hours during time you have previously scheduled, then the answer is no. Plain and simple.

You could just reschedule, but the reason is more important than that. The time spent working on your creative endeavors must be a priority. If you always put it on the back burner, you will have subconsciously undermined it’s importance.

This doesn’t mean that you should become a hermit and always refuse your friends, family, and your boss. It’s just something to keep in mind when you are making commitments. Friends and family will understand when they see how you channeled your creative efforts.

Saying no frees you to say yes to your passion. It takes discipline, but it’s worth it.

“Deciding what not to do is as important as deciding what to do.” — Steve Jobs

Memories fade faster than ink

Always carry a notebook

When you are in the car, waiting for the bus, on the elevator, what are you doing? Are you twiddling your thumbs, checking snapchat, or just listening to the radio? These moments represent great untapped opportunities to think creatively.

About what? Anything. Reflect, prepare, and plan out your work.

I carry around a Moleskin Pocket Journal

Bring a notebook with you and write ideas as they come to you about this particular problem or issue. We often say “I haven’t thought about it,” this is your chance to change that. Don’t stop at just one idea, keep going.

Getting in the habit of writing down ideas when they come to you is a good practice because it channels your ideas in a physical format. Once the ink hits the paper the idea becomes real.

As the saying goes, fortune favors the prepared mind.

Be in the moment

How much of your life are you on autopilot?

Think about it. We do the same things day in and day out. People say “I could do [blank] blindfolded,” and they might as well be blindfolded, because they’re missing new discoveries right in front of their eyes. All around us there is opportunities for improvement.

“The smartphones that distract us from our surroundings also distract us from the fact that our surroundings are strangely old: only computers and communications have improved dramatically since mid-century.” — Peter Thiel in Zero to One

Just look around you. Find something that surprises you. Stay focused on that one thing. It can be anything from the how intricate the colorful floral pattern on the floor, to how uncomfortable bus seat is. It’s not easy to be in the moment especially when that Instagram feed is just itching to be refreshed, but it is fundamental to spontaneous creativity.

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