You want to develop your creative skills. What’s the best way to start?

I have often been asked are you born creative or is it something you can learn. The answer is yes. The important thing is to realize the true importance of creativity and how it can enrich our lives. It's that special sauce that can make us laugh, cry, or unite. Creativity makes life more interesting, more meaningful and more memorable. Look for it. Strive for it. Appreciate it. It can take you to places you've never been before and open up a whole new world of compassion understanding, and joy. It will connect you with people who can change your life. Creativity can help build strong relationships. It's there for all of us, we just don't take the time or make the effort to truly appreciate the importance.

Discover what creative activities you enjoy, then practice consistently and embrace experimentation to develop your creative skills. Seek inspiration from diverse sources and don't fear making mistakes – they're part of the learning process.

Cultivate a curious mindset. Ask questions. Explore different perspectives. Be open to new experiences. Curiosity fuels creativity by inspiring you to seek out novel ideas.

Read. Read. Read. One of the best pieces of advice I ever got was: read poetry. Your business is words. So why wouldn't you?

Turn off your computer and make something, anything, make it with paint, clay, metal, wood, yarn, fiber, plant something and watch it grow, cook, go to nature, talk to animals, feed the birds, appreciate the beauty of the seasons, read, color, write, make mistakes, take a walk, scream, sit in the woods, build a pillow fort, never stop playing, get into mischief, learn about the stars, pick up an instrument, a brush, a pen, be covered in sunshine and rain and dirt, move, run, swim, try something that scares you, take a nap, scream, sing, dance, find the beauty in pain, it is ok to not be ok, and don’t apologize for letting yourself be who you are.

Diving headfirst into whichever creative skill you want to learn is the only way to truly get good at your craft. Dream of becoming a photographer? Grab that camera and start capturing everything around you. The internet is full of opinions, leading many to believe that you need a lot of money, a lot of time, or an endless stream of courses to start. But that’s all a myth. Real learning begins the moment you take action. Questions will pop up, but solutions exist that won't break the bank. The real enemy is fear of failure. It's a time thief; it drains your energy and makes you believe there isn’t a path for you. If you're constantly striving to improve, that feeling may linger, but you'll get better and better.

- Participate in hackathons or creativity contests to push your limits and solve problems under pressure. - Take on projects outside your expertise to learn on the fly and adapt new methodologies. - Set personal innovation goals, like developing one new idea daily, no matter how outlandish. - Engage in role-reversal exercises to view challenges from different stakeholders' perspectives, enhancing empathy and innovative thinking. - Break large goals into smaller, experimental projects to explore various outcomes and learn from failures.

Set Aside Time for Creativity. Dedicate specific time slots for creative activities. Whether it's writing, drawing, or experimenting with new ideas, having a regular routine fosters creative habits.

You'll increase your self-confidence. You grow by progressively taking on bigger and more difficult challenges. You'll be able to manage fear better because of the experience you gain when you challenge yourself. You learn new skills and hone in old ones.

?? In sales, every challenge is a growth opportunity. Tackle ambitious goals, analyze your tactics, and adjust your course based on results. True innovation arises from facing challenges with a strategic mindset, attuned to the market's reality.

Creativity thrives in collaboration, benefiting from the exchange of ideas, feedback, and support. Interacting with others not only inspires fresh perspectives but also provides the constructive critique necessary for refinement. The collective energy becomes a powerful catalyst, propelling individuals to explore new creative realms and reach greater heights together.

The best artists steal and collaborate. This means that you are able to draw inspiration from friends, family, media, and competitors. When it comes to creativity, use varying opinions to synthesize your thoughts. Enrich your practice with culture and use feedback as a weapon against your blind spots.

Learn from Others. Study the work of creative individuals you admire. Analyze their techniques, styles, and processes. Learning from others can provide valuable insights and inspiration.

Certainly! Creativity, imagination, and vision are indeed blessings, but even if you have just a bit of creativity, you can grow it. So I’ll share my experience & the way I do it #storyteller: Think of it like a happy and colorful story you're telling. #Audiophile -different sounds, like music or nature sounds, to make it more interesting. #fitness enthusiast- Move and act out parts of the story with your body – use your hands, make expressions. It's like a creative workout for your brain and body, making your stories even more exciting. #enjoyable positive soul -So, enjoy telling stories with lots of colors, listening to cool sounds, and moving around!

Certainly! Creativity, imagination, and vision are indeed blessings, but even if you have just a bit of creativity, you can grow it. So I’ll share my experience & the way I do it #storyteller: Think of it like a happy and colorful story you're telling. #Audiophile -different sounds, like music or nature sounds, to make it more interesting. #fitness enthusiast- Move and act out parts of the story with your body – use your hands, make expressions. It's like a creative workout for your brain and body, making your stories even more exciting. #enjoyable positive soul -So, enjoy telling stories with lots of colors, listening to cool sounds, and moving around!

As much as practice is a great answer, I’d add that developing your TASTE is equally as important. Studying the work of great modern creatives to see what the best of the best looks like can help you to set goals and try to achieve a similar quality of style. This doesn’t mean to copy, but to interpret what ‘greatness’ looks like and strive for your version of it.

No matter what kind of skills you're looking to improve, whether they're creative or not, the key is to practice to really master that skill. I recall a time when I was tasked with leading a gaming studio and a team of 4 game designers. Coming from a background in development and quantitative skills, I didn't fully grasp their work. So, I decided to enhance my creative abilities by enrolling in an Associates in Graphics Design. During that period, I not only completed my assignments but actively sought opportunities to apply and practice what I had learned. Thanks to that approach, I still remember color theory and Illustrator, even though I learned them many years ago.

A lot of people fall into the mindset that they're simply 'not-creative'. This is something that you need to let go of if you want to develop as a creative. Yes, some true creatives might look like they have some form of innate skills from birth, but realistically, they've honed their skills over time with plenty of practice. An easy way to start would be to; ?? Dedicate time daily or weekly to engage in creative endeavours, utilizing various tools and prompts to challenge and expand your skills. ?? Take inspiration from creatives you admire, try and recreate their style, gradually incorporating and evolving these influences into your unique style. ?? Enhance your own techniques and style by practising new things over time.

?? Sales excellence isn't a stroke of luck; it's the outcome of consistent practice. Simulate sales scenarios, hone your negotiation skills, and adapt your approach based on market response. Consistency is the key to outstanding performance.

Whether you are tracking your creative moments in a voice memo, building a journal, taking a course to expand your practice...practice regularly. If you save creative practice to when you are at a job or when you have a new task, it will be too late. The best creative "breakthroughs" are not random moments of discovery. They are moments when you are well-prepared, well-practiced and a bud of an idea that was on the verge of opening finally opens. Creativity does not exist in a vacuum. It is the totality of your practice and perspective.

Creativity is naturally enjoyable, transforming the mundane into an exhilarating journey of self-expression and discovery. The process of generating new ideas, experimenting with different concepts, and seeing imaginative visions come to life is a source of pure delight. The freedom to play with possibilities, break conventional norms, and explore uncharted territories provides a sense of liberation and joy. Whether it's through artistic pursuits, problem-solving, or simply letting the mind wander, the sheer pleasure of creation makes the creative process an inherently fun and fulfilling endeavor.

- Incorporate gamification into your creative projects to make them more engaging and rewarding. - Host brainstorming sessions with a twist, like using props or themes, to stimulate fun and unconventional ideas. - Create a 'fun fund' to invest in new, creative tools or experiences that can spark inspiration. - Schedule regular 'creative playdates' with yourself or team members to explore new mediums or concepts without pressure. - Embrace the concept of 'creative sabbaticals'—short breaks dedicated to pursuing personal creative interests or learning new skills.

I disagree with this advice. Rigour, strain and pain are as helpful to creativity as any other state or circumstance. Fun is comfortable, and comfort is not conducive to creativity.

?? In business practice, fun isn't just a color palette; it's a results catalyst. Find joy in overcoming obstacles, celebrate achievements, and relish the process of closing deals. Positivity fuels productivity.

Take life less seriously. It will make you more daring and more creative. It is okay to "play it safe" when you need to, but also understand when you don't have to. If there is a low reach email, for example, experiment with fun type face or that comedic tone you've been aching to incorporate. Have fun.

Go on a walk. Go on a walk alone, without a phone. Be with nature. Get curious about the details, mindfulness of the view, the touch, and the movement. You can even go a bit further trying to come up with stories behind what you see - what happened here, who are the people you see, where are you now. Lastly, never ever judge yourself. Judgment kills the creative process.

- Embrace diversity in your creative team to fuel innovation and broaden perspectives. - Regularly step out of your industry bubble to explore trends and ideas from unrelated fields. - Foster a culture of continuous learning and curiosity within your team or organization. - Leverage technology and digital tools to enhance creativity and streamline the brainstorming process. - Practice mindfulness or meditation to clear your mind and enhance focus, allowing for deeper creative thought.

To develop your creative skills, you must do two things. 1. Take in more creative inputs. 2. Create more creative outputs. Don't get too focused on one or the other. You need both. And you'll also need feedback on your creative outputs. Because you need to know if you're getting better.

I have found, creativity to require a certain level of openness. Being open-minded is not always easy but I have found, being open to receive inspiration or open to hearing other perspectives has welcomed my creativity whether it be in songwriting, marketing strategy or general solution-making. Additionally, vulnerability is key to me in cultivating creativity because it allows me to be me without filters and to discover the significance of ‘authenticity’. It is not always easy to practice vulnerability but you would be surprised the inspiration that comes from being naturally you. Lastly, being curious about the world we live in - whether it be nature, small moments in your day, anything! Curiosity in systems and process is key to me.

To develop your creative skills in advertising, immerse yourself in diverse art forms for inspiration. Collaborate with professionals from various disciplines to generate fresh ideas. Embrace experimentation to discover new techniques and styles. Stay updated with industry trends through networking and continuous learning. Cultivate curiosity and observation to uncover unique insights. Practice regularly and seek feedback to refine your skills. These practices will help you become a more innovative and effective professional in the field.