5 Tips for Being Creative at a Moments Notice

Ask any church creative and they will tell you that one of the greatest hurdles they face is the need to be creative, and to be creative quickly. With the light-speed pace of social media coupled with peoples’ ever so shrinking attention spans, creativity is time stamped, and usually needed immediately. So the question is: how can you be creative in a high pressure environment that does not play by the rules of creativity?

Here are 5 tips to constantly fill your creative gas tank and be ready for whatever task is thrown at you.

1. It’s a behavior not a gift.

In an interview with INC. Magazine, writer and comedian John Cleese said, “Creativity is not a talent; it’s a way of operating.” This is a comforting thought for those of us that don’t always have the most confidence in our “natural” creative abilities. Like any skill, creativity is something that can be exercised and grown. Try to absorb everything you can, dissect what others have done, challenge yourself to create in a new way that you are uncomfortable with. Exercise your creative muscles.

2. Surround yourself with people better than you by finding community.

So often as church creatives we can become isolated and turn into the “creative guy” in the building. That’s bad, because isolation will only lead to staleness. Go out and find community with creatives in your field. Find online communities and labs where others can critique your work and soundboard ideas. Crave criticism. Find others that are BETTER than you. This will help you by forcing you to grow.

3. Don’t be afraid to shelve ideas.

We all will have those amazing ideas that fall flat once they’re put on paper. That doesn’t mean it’s not an amazing idea; it just means its not ready (or you’re not ready). Don’t torture the idea and yourself in the process. Put the idea on the shelf and eventually a situation will come for it.

4. Force yourself into new mediums.

One of the most effective ways for a musician to break writer’s block is to pick up a new instrument. Those habits that lead them to the same stale songs are gone and they are ready to create with a clean slate. The same principle applies for creatives. If you are a graphic designer, then close Photoshop, get out your sketchbook and put pencil to paper. You’ll be amazed by what happens. Get out of your office and change your routine. New places will lead to new ideas. Find something different; find something you’re not good at and do it!

5. Work at it!

We know it’s hard! If it was easy, then no one would need us. The one element that will stick out in all of these tips is the idea of pushing yourself. Dig deeper and do new things, then focus on what you’re not good at.

Get to work; it’s the only way.

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