Master the art of being creative

Creativity is probably one of the most used phrases of all and at the same time one of the most misunderstood concepts of thinking. We believe creativity is there and gone, we assume some people are creative and others are not. Creativity can be learned and practiced. But most of all, it can be applied anywhere. You don't have to be a painter, musician or marketer. You are feeling stuck in a creativity rut? Do you find yourself staring at a blank canvas or computer screen for hours on end, waiting for inspiration to strike? Fear not, because we’re here to help you unleash your inner creativity!

Why creativity is essential

Well, without creativity, we'd be stuck living in a world of beige walls, plain t-shirts, and boring press releases. Who wants that? Not us! That's why it's essential to keep our brains firing on all creative cylinders. Especially in marketing, creativity is essential: it helps to grab attention, differentiate your brand, create emotional engagement with the audience, make marketing efforts memorable, and foster innovation. A creative marketing approach can help a brand stand out in a crowded marketplace and make a lasting impression on the target audience.

Creativity for beginners

For starters: take a break from staring at your computer screen and go for a walk. Get some fresh air, let your mind wander, and take in the world around you. Who knows, you might stumble upon the next big idea while you're out and about. If walking isn't your thing, adopt a dog – then you will enjoy regular breaks filled with fresh air and joy. Pro tip: leave your phone at home and don’t be available for at least an hour. If you don’t have the time for a long walk, take a toilet break – even if you don’t feel the “need” to. Getting up and moving physically to another environment changes your perspective.

Why your brainstormings don’t work

Two creative minds are better than one, and three are even better because then you can form a band afterward. One of the most common creative formats to collect ideas together is brainstorming. Everybody knows it. The great thing is that you can't really do anything wrong, but at the same time, you can do a lot of things wrong. If your brainstorming sessions don't deliver the right results, try other formats: A “This-Idea-Will-Get-You-Fired”-Brainstorm for example. Here, the team comes up with crazy ideas that are far beyond the budget and feasible and then scales the best ideas down to a feasible level. Or the ABC-Brainwriting: You write down all the letters of the alphabet and have to write down an idea, question, or concept for each one. One of the funniest practices of brainstorming in a group is to engage in "reverse brainstorming." Instead of thinking about ideas to solve a problem or come up with a new concept, you try to come up with as many ridiculous or terrible ideas as possible.

For example, if you were trying to come up with a new flavor of ice cream, in reverse brainstorming, you might think of ideas like "broccoli and cheese" or "shoe polish swirl." The goal is not to come up with good ideas, but to let your mind wander and explore unconventional and absurd possibilities.

And one more essential thing to make your brainstorming sessions really good: Brainstorm regularly. Brainstorming is like mental gymnastics but with fewer backflips and more coffee breaks.

Sometimes the ceiling is the limit

In order to be well prepared and in the end good in our job you should gather as much information as possible. So this should also work for creativity. Well, yes and no. Of course, the mind expands when we have a lot of information at our disposal. But sometimes it makes sense to consciously limit ourselves. As an artist to paint only with certain colors, as a cook to use only a few ingredients, or as a marketer to read only the intro of the briefing – all of this leads us into new directions that we might never have taken if we had not limited our minds.

Experiment and play

Picasso once said, "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." Well, fear not, because experimenting and playing is the key to staying young at heart and creatively curious. So, grab some paint, some clay, or some sparkly glitter glue, and let your inner child run wild. The benefit of this practice is that it can help you break out of traditional thinking patterns and consider ideas you might not have otherwise. Plus, it's a lot of fun and can lead to some hilarious conversations and brainstorming sessions!

Quick tips

Since there are so many possibilities we could list here, here are some quick tips:

Seek out new experiences: Life is short, as are most people's attention spans. So, shake things up, take a risk, and try something new. Who knows, maybe you'll find your new calling as a lion tamer or underwater basket weaver.

Set aside dedicated creative time: It's like the old saying goes, "A creative a day keeps the boring away." So, set aside some time each day to work on your projects.

Be someone else: Well, of course, you should stay yourself, but for a big change of perspective it can sometimes be worth asking yourself: What would another person think now? Why don't you put on a turtleneck and ask yourself: What would Steve Jobs be thinking right now?

Feeling inspired now?