You're a mid-career professional. How can you cultivate a creative mindset?

Set focus time and allow time for deep thinking! Sometimes we are swamped with activities and tasks and that eats away rooms for creativity

To cultivate a creative mindset as a mid-career professional, try embracing curiosity like a kid, seek diverse perspectives, and make time for playfulness in your daily routine.

Boosting your creativity is much easier than you think. It requires asking questions, and seriously believing you don't have the answers. While the first part is easy, the second is much harder. We often ask to make sure you know that others know the answers (that we know as well). This is propelling a dogma, an ideology, a known fact. Next time you want to boost your creativity, ask and stay open to not knowing. Let others surprise you. As if you know what they are sharing keep asking "Why?" multiple times to discover the layers you truly don't know. Enjoy being creative.

In cultivating a creative mindset as a mid-career professional, it's crucial to consistently challenge yourself. Seek out tasks and projects that push the boundaries of your current skill set. Embrace the discomfort that comes with tackling unfamiliar territory, as it fosters adaptability and encourages innovative thinking. By taking on challenges, you not only expand your knowledge and capabilities but also open new avenues for creative problem-solving. Remember that growth often arises from stepping outside your comfort zone and confronting the unknown.

In this day and age of Gen AI. Being creative is a lot easier than before. Use the free tools available! I personally dig from Youtube channels and instagram, they are my go-to for inspiration. I'd follow content creators that matches my creativity style and take on short projects of my own. It can be some 5-15 mins of checking out new tools/updates or 30-45 mins to test out a design. Be it videos, pics or writing. I keep a save list so its easier to refer back in the future.

Creativity thrives on inspiration. Actively seek out diverse sources of inspiration to fuel your creative mindset. Attend industry conferences, engage in thought-provoking literature, explore art, or immerse yourself in nature. Regularly expose yourself to different perspectives and ideas, as this broadens your mental landscape and provides a rich reservoir for creative thinking. By maintaining an open mind and being receptive to inspiration from various sources, you infuse your work with fresh ideas and novel approaches.

Collaboration is a cornerstone of creativity. Engage with colleagues, both within and outside your field, to tap into a collective pool of ideas. By fostering a collaborative environment, you benefit from diverse perspectives and skill sets. Collaborating with others not only generates innovative solutions but also encourages a free exchange of ideas. Embrace teamwork, encourage open communication, and recognize that the synergy of diverse minds often leads to groundbreaking results that a solitary approach might not achieve.

Creativity flourishes when experimentation is embraced. Be willing to take risks and explore unconventional solutions. Experimentation allows for the discovery of new possibilities and helps break away from conventional thinking. Understand that not every experiment will yield success, and that's perfectly fine. The key is to learn from failures, iterate on your ideas, and refine your approach. This iterative process not only hones your creative skills but also fosters a mindset that values continuous improvement and adaptation.

In the hustle and bustle of a mid-career professional's life, it's easy to prioritize tasks over creativity. However, making time for creativity is essential. Set aside dedicated periods in your schedule for brainstorming, reflection, and creative pursuits. This intentional time allows your mind to wander, ideate, and recharge. Whether it's a few minutes each day or a longer block of time each week, prioritizing creativity ensures that it becomes a habit rather than an occasional pursuit. By making space for creativity, you empower yourself to approach challenges with a fresh perspective and maintain a resilient, inventive mindset.

I agree, you need to make space for creativity, but in my experience that doesn’t mean blocking out time to ‘be creative’. It’s about creating space for your mind to wander, people often talk about having their best ideas in the shower….that’s because there’s no other distractions. So try creating space with no plan for what to do in that time, and next time you’re sat waiting for someone or something resist the urge to pull out your phone. Just sit, and see where your mind takes you.

A 2014 neuroscientific Stanford study found that walking (whether indoors or outdoors) can improve creativity by 60%. Taking 5–20-minute walks can significantly improve flow in creative brainstorming.

Consider incorporating mindfulness practices to enhance focus and clear mental clutter, allowing for greater creativity. Embrace continuous learning to expose yourself to new ideas and perspectives. Develop a habit of journaling to capture thoughts, ideas, and reflections. Additionally, engage in activities unrelated to your profession to stimulate different parts of your brain and foster creative connections. Prioritize feedback, both giving and receiving, as a tool for growth and new insights. Finally, cultivate resilience to overcome setbacks and view failures as opportunities for creative problem-solving.