In our quest to learn how to be more creative, it’s normal to explore different avenues that can enhance our creative abilities. This exploration seems obviously essential in fields like music, performance, psychology, and education. But the truth is that creativity is an innately human quality that we all possess.
By understanding and nurturing our natural creative minds, we not only unlock our full potential but also enrich our lives. Embodying the essence of who we are by exploring how to be more creative in every aspect of our existence.
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The Endless Wellspring of Creativity
“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” This profound statement by Maya Angelou encapsulates the essence of creativity. We can worry that the more we share our ideas, the more we may run out. But the truth is that it’s an inexhaustible resource. One that grows and expands with use.
The Mindset: Understanding the Creative Brain
Much of understanding creativity comes from demystifying it. It’s common for us to look at a creative artist, inventor or author and immediately think of all the ways they must be different than we are. But the need to create is deeply human. Throughout the history of our species, we have proven that we have a constant drive to bring new things into existence.
So, understanding that this is your own innate birthright, let’s explore how creativity “happens” in the mind.
Have you ever wondered why some of your best ideas strike just as you’re about to fall asleep or while you’re in the shower? It’s not coincidental. This phenomenon is deeply rooted in how our brains function creatively.
Psychologist Barry Kaufman identifies three critical brain networks involved in the creative process:
1) The Executive-Attention Network
First is the executive-attention network. Think of this network like your focused workhorse. It gathers information, integrates data, and is where you get much of your planning and work done. It’s where you collect pieces of the puzzle from the world around you and integrate them to have meaning and context.
2) The Imagination Network
The imagination network. Here lies the cradle of creation. This network uses the collected information to explore uncharted territories of thought. It’s where daydreaming and imagination take flight, key aspects of how to be more creative in life.
3) The Salience Network
The salience network. This network filters through the external events and internal stream of consciousness. It allows you to give it all context and determine what’s most important. This network is what leads to those “aha” moments, crucial in your creative growth.
Many get stuk by approaching their creativity like another “practice task” or something to check off the “to-do list”. But the truth is, tapping into deep creativity relies on the ability to dial up, settle down, and TRUST each of these networks.
A Three-Step Framework to Creative Thinking
Letting go and trusting in your own creative ability can feel daunting. Especially if it’s something you haven’t put into practice before, it’s not only about art you create. You might wonder how to be more creative in thinking, or even how to be more creative in life. As always I encourage you to rely on a mental model or framework that can guide you through the process. This can help you through the process, until that process becomes one that is all your own.
Here is the 3-step framework that you can use to put this knowledge into action:
Step 1: Create Tension
First, put your Executive-Attention Network work. This is where you have your conscious thoughts and so we can feel comfortable “asking for help” from this network. Collect information, isolate problems and explore the questions you want answers.
Here’s the key: Embrace the frustration. Reaching that point where you feel you’re blocked is a key part of pushing forward into new realms of what you can create and ideas to be born.
Step 2: Mind Wander
Now that you’ve given your “workhorse” network the tasks that you want answered, now it’s time to loosen the grip. Reduce your executive tasks to give room for your imagination network to switch into gear.
What can this look like? Doodle on paper, go for a walk outdoors, meditate. Whateer activity you choose, the key is – don’t work too hard. Your mind and subconscious now needs space to breathe and white space to create.
The key: TRUST that your mind will continue to work on solving these problems and make new connections. Trust that you’ve planted the seeds. Your mind is still processing the information you provided in the previous step. Now, give your Imagination Network the space to breathe. Allow your mind to quietly unravel the knots you’ve tied in the first step.
Step 3: Prospect for Gold
Finally, it’s time to activate your Salience Network. I like to call this one “prospecting for gold” because you truly never know what treasures you’ll find! Put your mind to work, but this time with the eye of a curious observer. Brain dump to collect what came up during your spacious mind wandering. Observe to filter through what your mind produced. Aiming to make connections and curate what’s valuable and new, and what sparks excitement of inspiration in you. This is where you’ll find the gold – the creative solutions, next steps and ideas that are uniquely yours.
The Power of Letting Go
It’s easy to fall into the trap of treating creativity as another productivity exercise. The truth is that your creativity flourishes when you loosen our grip. Trust our subconscious and the natural creativity within all of us. Recognize that much of the creative work happens beneath the surface when we give our minds the space to wander and explore. Letting go is not losing control; it’s empowering your innate creativity to break through.
Summary
This article was all about how to be more creative. As you embark on your journey of creative discovery, remember that the need to create is a fundamental aspect of our humanity. It’s not just about producing art, words or music; it’s about living a life that’s rich, vibrant, and that deeply honours your own innate abilities.
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Carmen Morin
Concert pianist, educator and arts entrepreneur.
I empower pianists with transformative learning systems to break through technical limits, unlock talent, and build lasting confidence.
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