Creativity is a hallmark of our culture at 8THIRTYFOUR – we love creating fresh ideas with our clients to take advantage of an opportunity or solve a problem.
Keeping creative energy high all the time takes effort. Sometimes even we feel stuck, but luckily, we have a whole list of ideas that we use to keep our creative juices flowing.
Switch Mediums
If you’ve been sitting in front of your computer all day, typing nonsense, hoping the ideas will start to flow, the glow of the screen isn’t doing you any favors. If you can’t type the right words, try writing them. If you’ve been on a computer all day, try switching to a notebook and a pen. Or try an iPad or even your phone. Whatever you’ve been doing, try something different.
Get out of the Office
Switching up your location, your view, and your environment can help stimulate the parts of your brain that might be trying to hibernate. Head to a coffee shop, a picnic table outside, or your favorite watering hole. Being in a new location often spurs new ideas.
Get up and Move
In the words of Elle Woods from Legally Blonde, “Exercise gives you endorphins, endorphins make you happy…” Endorphins also help with creativity.
We know…
But studies show that people that exercise are more creative than those that sit still. You don’t need to run a mile whenever you’re stuck, but getting up to move around could get your blood flowing and help bring on some great ideas. Stand up, stretch, walk in place, or try a walk around your building.
Talk It Out
Sometimes the best ideas come from one person who has been spending time brainstorming and researching on their own, but often, connecting with others can create a better idea. Creativity doesn’t have to be solitary. Hearing your ideas out loud, coupled with feedback you never would have considered, can help you see old ideas in new ways.
Try Something Fun
Banging your head against the desk or staring at a computer screen probably won’t get you unstuck if you’re deep in a creative rut. Trying the same thing over and over and expecting the same result? Insanity. So, try something different. Play a word game. Have a dance party. Draw on a whiteboard. Make a paper doll (there may be one floating around our office somewhere). Take a few minutes away from work to do something that makes you laugh.
Moment of Silence
If all else fails, try tuning out. Shut off the computer, shut off the music, tune out distractions and take a moment of silence for yourself. Don’t focus on what’s not coming, just breathe.
We love brainstorming creative ideas. Need some inspiration? Give us a call or shoot us an email.
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