CHAPTER
8

Laying the Groundwork for Creativity

In This Chapter

• How to open your mind to the doorway of creativity
• Considerations for setting up an ideal creative space
• Using your senses to boost your creative expression

Creativity is no different than any other endeavor. Whether you’re looking to run a marathon, ace an exam, or survive a hurricane, you will do better if you prepare yourself. This does not mean you have to plan every move you make along the way—that could actually inhibit the creative process. What it does mean is establishing the proper mind-set and supporting yourself in the best way possible.

The previous chapters helped to start your preparation by asking for your commitment and giving you ideas to ponder, tips and information, and hands-on activities all related to creativity. In this chapter, you are given additional food for thought and considerations to build the best possible creative space—mentally, physically, and emotionally. You get a chance to look at this not only through your eyes, but also through your other senses. So settle in and feel the inspiration work through you. The best is yet to come!

Opening Your Mind

As I said in Chapter 1, creativity is a decision. By reaching this chapter, I assume you have made your decision to continue to explore your creativity. That’s great—even if you’re not sure yet what you wish to create or where your talents lie. One of the keys to discovering that is by opening your mind to all possibilities. Many people have the tendency to box themselves in. They put limitations on themselves before they even start to consider the many options available to them. How open is your mind? Like a property’s zero lot line, are your boundaries of what you’re willing to consider so tightly defined that you have left no room for expansion? Or are you willing to explore? The following are three tips to help you open your mind:

Remove the ceiling. You’ve probably heard the reference of something having a glass ceiling. This has been typically used with women in the workplace who have been limited in how far they can advance within their organization. Of course, this concept can apply to men as well. And it could apply to you—but only if you let it. You are in charge of your creativity, so if there is a ceiling—glass or otherwise—remove it! There’s no need to break through if it’s not there in the first place. Think big. Think endless possibilities. Think beyond the sky! You could even build an affirmation around this, such as “My creativity is an endless stream of possibilities!” or “I open my mind to allow unexpected inspiration to flow through me.”

Let go of judgment. While it’s true you can judge something to be positive, typically your mind is focused on more of a scrutinizing, usually critical process when you’re in judgment. This is not to say you should never evaluate your creative works. You already know that’s part of the creative process. What I’m talking about here is the ability to keep an open mind so that when some kind of inspiration comes to you, you don’t automatically dismiss it by finding all of the reasons why that idea won’t work. Sometimes the best ideas end up being the ones in which your first reaction is “That’s crazy.” An open mind welcomes thoughts that appear to be crazy. They can always be dismissed later, but not without first giving them a chance.

Say to yourself, “If I knew I couldn’t fail, I would …,” “If I knew I didn’t have to do it perfectly, I would …,” or “If I knew others wouldn’t laugh at me, I would ….” As Chapter 6 identified, fear of failure, striving for perfection, and worrying about what other people think about you are all blocks to creativity. By prefacing your thoughts with these statements, you’re dismissing those blocks and creating more of an expansive feeling within yourself. If you do make any mistakes along the way or things don’t turn out how you had initially envisioned with your creative project, using the experience as a learning lesson also means you can’t lose.

INSPIRATIONAL INSIGHT

“Every day we slaughter our finest impulses. That is why we get a heartache when we read those lines written by the hand of a master and recognize them as our own, as the tender shoots which we stifled because we lacked the faith to believe in our own powers, our own criterion of truth and beauty. We are all kings, all poets, all musicians; we have only to open up to discover what is already there.”

—Henry Miller

Clutter, Comfort, and Creativity

Your physical environment—the space that surrounds you when you create—can enhance or detract from your creativity. You may have images in your mind of “the scattered artist,” with paints, brushes, and other supplies appearing to be positioned haphazardly in an overly crowded small space. You also may have a vision of a busy executive with a pristine office and pictures hanging in perfect alignment to each other. These are both stereotypes that continue to be perpetuated, and while you may actually know people who fit these descriptions, you may be surprised to learn what research has revealed about how physical space affects your creativity.

Clearing the Clutter—or Not!

Some creatives negatively describe their clutter as procrastination, self-sabotage, and resistance, while others say their messiness stimulates creativity. When I first drafted the outline for this book and decided to include a section on “stuff” and how it affects creativity, I had the notion that clearing your clutter would equate to opening the way for creativity to flourish. I then began researching the topic and read some interesting studies that pointed to the opposite being the case. Although there’s no consensus across the board among creatives, it’s certainly worth thinking about where you fit into this scheme.

First, let’s talk about people who need an uncluttered area to stimulate creativity. Neat freaks usually find it difficult to understand how clutter kings and queens can function in such an unkempt office or home. For example, I used to have a boss who maintained an orderly desk at all times. Whenever he would pop into my office, he would get a look on his face that made me think his brain was going to explode as he scanned the piles that sat upon both my desk and floor, not to mention all of the little gadgets, knickknacks, and artwork that adorned them. To a Tidy Tom or Neat Nancy, a person who functions with cluttered surroundings could be interpreted as being scatterbrained, disorganized, and unfocused. One study seems to agree with that. In an unclutterer blog post, career expert and author Jonathan Fields explained the brain must rely on increased levels of working memory when there is disorder, which taxes the brain’s prefrontal cortex. In turn, this drains this part of the brain, which could cause you to act more on impulses and become distracted. A weakened prefrontal cortex also won’t be as effective in allaying your anxiety or fear—two potential blocks to creativity—as much as one that is functioning at full power.

On the other side are people who thrive working in a cluttered space. I know for me, I struggle with keeping my workspace tidy, especially when I’m in the midst of creating. It seems the bigger the creation, the messier my space becomes. Yet I know there’s a big part of me that thrives on order. (How many people do you know whose entire collection of hundreds of CDs is alphabetized within multiple music categories?) Now there’s reason to celebrate for those who delight in disarray or at least aren’t bothered by their messes. That’s because a team of University of Minnesota researchers led by Kathleen D. Vohs conducted three studies showing evidence that working in a messy environment seems to bring out more imaginative ideas than a space that is neat, which fosters more traditional and conservative thinking. Professor Vohs noted that both environments made a huge difference in the participants’ behavior. Being messy doesn’t mean you’ll automatically be creative; it just stimulates imaginative thinking to the extent of your existing creativity, according to Vohs. Meanwhile, those who prefer tidy spaces can rejoice in knowing the study also showed that working in an uncluttered space promotes healthy eating, generosity, and conventionality.

What are your own takeaways from this information? Regardless of what the studies and experts say, if you find that working in a space jumbled with your stuff creates an equally jumbled mind and prevents you from functioning at your best, your brain is probably seeking more organization. You will know you’re not optimally working if your surroundings are distracting you to the point of interrupting your thoughts and your actions and causing you to lose focus. Or perhaps you’re one who is not bothered in the least by working in a disheveled space and may even benefit by spotting an item you didn’t know was there that inspires you. If you’ve never stopped long enough to notice either way, start paying attention to see what suits you best.

CREATIVITY COMPASS

I used to live with a college roommate who was one of the messiest people I knew, yet she was not disorganized. She seemed to know exactly where she had put her things. If I moved one belonging of hers, she would immediately notice and start questioning me as to where I put it. Do what works for you—just make sure it really does work for you and that you’re not using your untidiness as an excuse.

Creating Your Ideal Space

A tidy or messy space is just one aspect of devising your ideal creative space. You also need to carve out a specific space in your home—and if you work outside the home, an office space, too—that optimally supports your creativity. The following are some things you should take into account for your creative space:

Type of activity: Knowing what activities you are likely to engage in will help with your planning. You may even have to set up more than one area if your interests are vastly different and won’t work in the same space. For example, if you have an interest in music and setting up your own home recording studio but also enjoy woodworking, the former would probably work better in a room inside your home, while the latter may be more suitable to an outdoor, basement, or garage setup.

Size: Set aside whatever space you have available that you can designate as a “creative zone.” If you live in small quarters, you may only be able to devote a corner of a room. If your space doesn’t allow for even that availability of space, perhaps you can organize a box of supplies you can stash inside a plastic container that can slide underneath your bed. That way, you won’t have to pull your supplies together each time you want to create. I use part of my great room (mostly for music and art) and a small den area (mostly for writing and photo/video production) as my primary creative spaces. Sometimes my activities extend to the kitchen and even my bedroom, although when I get too spread out, I start to feel too scattered.

Comfort: Once you have decided on where you will set up your creative space, consider what it’ll take to ensure it’s comfortable. What kind of seating will be most conducive to your activities? Can you make do with what you have, or do you wish to add any new elements, such as a footstool or a cushion for back support? What color will your walls and furniture be? (Colors that support creativity will be discussed later in the chapter.) What can you hang on your walls that inspires you? Look at what you are currently displaying and see if you wish to make any changes. They need not be expensive. Think about hanging your children’s finger paintings, one or more of the visuals you made as part of a creative play, or an old album cover that evokes good memories.

Tools and materials: Consider the tools and materials you’ll be using in your creative space. For example, many of the creative plays in this book call for different types and sizes of paper, pens, pencils, markers, stickers, glue, and paints, so you’ll want those available. You should keep these and any other creativity implements and props visible and handy. By having them in plain view, you’ll be gently reminded of the gift of creativity. Perhaps seeing them will motivate you to take time out to create—either in the moment or later in the day or evening. For example, if you play music, will you display your instruments or put them away in their cases? If you keep them conveniently positioned in their stands, you might find yourself playing more often—they’ll be front and center to remind you “We’re here! Play us!”

Beyond your creativity tools, reference and inspirational books also may be essential to your space. Sometimes a quick glance at their title may bring an inspirational thought to mind. Or you might pick one out to thumb through it to awaken your muse. To capture any ideas on the fly, consider hanging a white board. Grab a marker and write them down while they’re fresh! Magnetic white boards and bulletin boards are good for posting notes, too. If you prefer to dictate rather than write, a recorder would also be useful to keep nearby, though a cell phone with recording capability can work just as well.

CREATIVITY KEY

Where can you store your supplies? A woven basket—available at your local arts supply store or department store—works well, as do plastic carts that contain multiple drawers. Some carts even move around on wheels, which is convenient.

Lighting and ambiance: Do you have windows or a skylight that bring in enough natural light during the day? In an online article by Leo Widrich on “The Science of How Temperature and Lighting Impact Our Productivity,” he wrote about a recent study conducted by study scientist Mirjam Muench. The research exposed one group of people to daylight and the other to artificial light for several work days. The results showed that compared to the afternoon, the participants who were exposed to daylight were measurably more alert at the beginning of the evening, while those that had artificial light were considerably sleepier by the end of the night. Additionally, cortisol levels dropped appreciably under artificial or poor lighting conditions. Low cortisol levels can result in more stress and can lead to health issues.

So if you can create a way to allow more daylight into your space, that’s a positive. You may still need to add lamps or overhead lighting for evening hours or if you can’t get adequate natural light into your space during the day. If you don’t have a window in your creative space, you can find artwork that is painted to look like a window, complete with beach or mountain scenery, to add to your ambiance.

Other touches you can add to your creative space include plants, shells, rocks, and knickknacks. Depending on whether you’re okay with clutter, be sure these little trinkets don’t take over your space. You want to have enough room to create! Generally speaking, environments that achieve a balance between too messy and too plain work well, but again, play around with what works for you.

Sensing Your Creativity

You will hear many people talk about experiencing their creativity through the five traditional senses: sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste. Some of them were incorporated into the previous passage on setting up your ideal creative space. Because your creativity can be stimulated through each one of these, I invite you to take a closer look now at how you can use these senses (plus one other) to kindle your creativity even further. When you start consciously connecting your creative flow in this manner, you will start to notice more opportunities for expanding and expressing your creativity on a daily basis.

Sight

Visuals are an important part of creativity. Even differences in color can potentially stimulate your creativity in different ways. For example, one study conducted by a team of German researchers from the University of Munich showed 65 study participants either a green or white rectangle during an online creativity test. Those who were shown a green login screen received a 20 percent higher score than those who didn’t, and when the experiment was conducted three more times using green, red, gray, and blue, the green won out each time. The study’s author reasoned that people associate green with growth and development. So are these results a conclusive finding? Not necessarily. But it gives you an idea of how the color green can potentially play a role in sparking creativity. Does thinking about this color bring up images of nature—tree leaves, grass, and plants—which all have to do with growth?

In another study, the effects on creativity were compared between the colors red and blue. The research team tracked some 600 participants who performed six cognitive tasks, which were primarily done on computers with a red, blue, or white screen. The activities included an orientation toward either creativity or details. Red improved performance by up to 31 percent on exercises that included proofreading and memory recall, while the participants using blue cues generated twice as many creative results as they did when operating with red prompts. So the results showed that red is good when focusing on details is important, while blue is better for thinking creatively. This is due, in part, to learned associations.

Take a few moments to think about what you associate with the color red in your environment. In terms of roadways, red means stop both in signs and traffic signals and emergency vehicles use red sirens. In terms of school, it wasn’t a good thing to have your homework returned in a sea of red marks, indicating wrong answers. What comes to your mind when you think of the color blue? Perhaps the sky and the ocean, which connote an open and calm feeling. Like green, both red and blue contribute to creativity, possibly in different functions for your creativity.

So how can you use color to positively impact your creative expression? Before you start to paint the walls of your creative space a different color, start to notice the effect different colors have on you. Be aware of colors on everything from your clothing; to the different-colored walls in your home to your office; to spaces you visit for the first time, such as restaurants.

CREATIVITY COMPASS

Most people have engaged in some level of photography, such as taking snapshots at a party. One of the ways I express my creativity is as a professional photographer. On one hand, it feeds my creative spirit. But there’s also an irony I’ve felt. Having my eye attuned to what’s unusual in my surroundings may result in capturing a standout image, yet it can cause me to miss the experience of the moment. For example, at times I’ve been so engrossed in photographing my son’s fast-moving soccer game that I’ve missed the best part because my focus was too narrow. Sometimes, the best way to experience creativity through sight is by using your very own eyes as the only lens.

Of course, when it comes to the senses, it’s hard to isolate color as a lone factor of creativity, as the overall atmosphere—which includes other sights, sounds, and smells—has an effect. Therefore, think about how you can introduce color into your creative space beyond your walls. For example, you can mix things up by rotating different wall hangings. Or you may decide to hang a crystal prism in front of a window, which will reflect different colors; showcase awards you’ve received or other items that signify personal achievement; place meaningful photos on your desk; or display posters with inspirational sayings. It’s really about surrounding yourself with things that will help you relax and keep your spirits high.

Experiencing your creativity using your sense of sight also goes beyond inanimate objects. The following are some other ways you can engage your sight in order to become more open creatively:

• Start paying attention to some of the smaller things in life to become a better observer. Do you know what color eyes your friends or co-workers have? What about the person who always waits on you at the post office or the checkout person at the grocery store? This not only involves what you see, but the feelings you associate with such a detail.
• Go into nature and find at least one item per visit you never noticed before. It could be the intricacies of a single leaf that falls to the ground or the construction of a flower bloom.
• Become aware of those views you most appreciate, such as watching the sun rise or set, the glow of a fireplace, or the waves of the ocean breaking against the shoreline.
• Place yourself into environments that rouse your muse in some way on a regular basis. If you draw inspiration from action scenes, go to a place where you can enjoy the hustle and bustle of a city, people watching, bright and flashing neon lights, or dancing.

Practicing these can feed your creative spirit and open your mind. You also may be able to translate some of your observations into creative opportunities.

Sound

When you think of sound in relation to creativity, what comes to mind? Perhaps music is the first thing you think of when you associate sound with creativity and it can, indeed, play a big role. Do you prefer to listen to music while you are creating, or would you rather have silence? If you like to have music playing, what kind? It may depend on what you’re doing. For example, usually if I’m writing a magazine article and I’m on a deadline, I have classical music playing in the background; it has become my auditory signal that it’s time to get serious about writing. However, when I’m editing photos, I often choose very upbeat music to keep me invested in my task. What about your tastes? What music, if any, supports your creativity? Instrumental or songs with words? Melodic or more ethereal? Easy listening or heart thumping? What about when you’re not in a creative mode? What songs inspire you, move you to tears, or make you feel on top of the world? You can find select songs that can prime you either before creating or while you’re in the creative process and play them.

Beyond music, experiencing creativity through sounds can come from natural sources. As I’m sitting here writing, I’m listening to what sounds like an entire chorus of birds singing. These kinds of sounds can stimulate your brain or cause you to associate what you hear with an uplifting experience. That alone may prompt a creative idea. If you live near water, the sounds of the sea or a babbling brook may move you because they’re soothing and relaxing. You’re bound to feel more creative when you’re not stressed out. If you don’t have such sounds normally close by, record them the next time you’re in an area with them, or possibly purchase an electronic gadget that features a whole smattering of nature sounds. You might also consider putting a small water fountain in your creative space or in your front or backyard, where you can take in both the sight and sound of it every day.

In addition to music and nature, another familiar sound is someone’s voice. Too much talking and not enough listening can limit your creativity. Remain open around others, particularly when the topic is about creativity. By being a good listener, you may gain a valuable tip or be stirred in a way that prompts you to explore something that you may have missed on your own. Listening intently also helps the other person to feel heard and valued. This can be a reciprocal process in which you both benefit.

Smell

You can probably quickly rattle off a list of smells you avoid. What about aromas that are invit-ing to you? Just like a bad smell can turn you off quickly, an enjoyable scent can help elevate your mood. Beyond food being cooked in the oven or on the stovetop, you’ve probably had the experience of walking into a store or someone’s house and gotten a whiff of something unfamiliar yet you found it pleasing. Start to satisfy your curiosity by finding out what the smell is so you’ll know and you can replicate it in your own space.

One option is burning different scents of incense or candles to enhance your creative space. There’s also the option of using a diffuser that mists essential oils into the air. If that interests you, there are many websites and books that can educate you as to the different properties of the oils. Some are calming, while others are energizing. And here’s an obvious one: Take time to smell the roses—and other flowers, too! Having plants and flowers in your creative space not only can enhance the fragrance, they can serve as visual triggers as well.

Touch

This sense can be experienced between people and with objects. Are you someone who likes to be hugged and give hugs? If so, reach out and touch! Hugs are a sign of support and may be just the thing you need before, during, or after a creative project.

Start to become aware of your surroundings, too, where touch is involved. Do you notice if certain types of clothing feel good or bother you? What works for you? The feel of your seating, whether it’s in your home, office, or vehicle, can also make a difference in your comfort level. If you’re not comfortable, it’s hard to create. Do you prefer leather or plush? A stiff, more supportive seat or a flexible feel (such as a beanbag chair)?

You can also engage your creativity through touch. Getting back to the flowers, don’t just stop and smell—touch them, too. Notice whether the petals have a soft or rough feel to them. Understanding textures like this and how they make you feel can really get your creative juices flowing.

Taste

“I want it so badly, I can taste it!” How many times have you uttered that phrase? Experiencing creativity through your taste buds can come in many forms.

CREATIVITY KEY

Eat a meal in complete silence. This can be done while dining alone or with friends and family. Concentrate on thoroughly chewing each bite (more times than you usually do) and really appreciating the taste. Sometimes eating meals is done so rapidly that the taste is lost in the process. Therefore, taking time to discern different flavors can be an art form in and of itself, especially if you’re eating a cuisine that’s not that familiar to you. By eating without speaking, you allow yourself to fully concentrate and be in a state of appreciation, both good practices for creativity.

With regard to your creative space, would it help to have a bowl of sweets on your desk to be used only as an occasional treat? Or would you find that too tempting, something that’s too difficult to keep a disciplined attitude about? Perhaps a nearby bowl of fruit would work better for you. It doesn’t even have to be food. For example, having a decorative jug filled with water and a favorite cup nearby can make drinking water an art form! You can even experiment with different flavors in your water through adding fresh fruit or vegetables to it. A drop or two of certain essential oils also can do the trick. (Be sure they’re the kind that can be ingested.)

Outside of your creative space, taking chances with taste not only broadens your palate; it can even broaden your mind! Ordering a restaurant dish you’ve never tried before or cooking something yourself that falls outside of your typical menu engages your sense of taste with something new and gives you a creative learning experience, regardless of whether you end up liking the new taste.

The Sixth Sense

The five senses you just read about relate to the sixth sense: intuition. Some people call this getting a hunch or gut feeling, which may come through one of the five senses. Those who have polished this skill may define themselves as clairvoyant (clear seeing), clairaudient (clear hearing), clairsentient (clear feeling), claircognizant (clear knowing), clairgustant (clear tasting), clairalient (clear smelling), or simply psychic. Everyone has this ability to some degree, and your intuition plays a huge role in creativity when you tune into it.

It’s those times when you have a suspicion or feeling about something or someone. For example, if you’ve been discussing the possibility of partnering with someone on a creative project and you notice you’ve been getting bad feelings that continue to grow, that’s your gut telling you not to enter into this agreement. On the other hand, your intuition can prompt you to follow your heart’s desire, whether that’s a life-altering career change or taking a pottery-making class. Ignoring your inklings may mean you miss out on a great opportunity of creative expression. Learn to listen to what your body, mind, and spirit are seeking to tell you. Your sixth sense will tell you when it’s wise to wait and reflect, dismiss an idea, or take action.

The Least You Need to Know

• Being creative works best when your mind is open. Start by removing any limitations you’ve placed upon yourself, let go of judgment, and start thinking of all you can create if you knew the only outcome was success.
• It’s important to develop a creative play space in your home and office that supports your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Stock your space with the tools and materials you’ll use regularly, ensure proper lighting, and select colors that enhance your creativity.
• While some research has shown that clutter can enhance your creativity, other studies have shown that a more orderly environment also can be advantageous. Only you know if being surrounded by a mess hampers or helps your creativity.
• In developing the ideal creative environment, consider how the five traditional senses and the sixth sense of intuition may help support you.