5 Ways To Boost Your Creativity:

Are there days you feel stuck in a rut? When even the most mundane tasks seem to be difficult? Or the infamous writer's block happens? These are 5 simple ways you can boost your creativity, generate new ideas and find joy and art in your daily lives and work:

1. Mind Maps

I discovered mind mapping nine years ago and it has been a revelation. Mind mapping is visually representing your thoughts on paper/ digital mind map tools. There is a central theme/ idea and you can stretch out various thoughts and sub- ideas from the branches, like drawing a tree. It helps you make connections that you would not have thought of in a linear, rational manner. You can go really creative with it - use different colours; newspaper/ magazine cutouts/ shapes.

Learn more here - https://www.mindmapping.com/

2. Watch Other Creators

Great ideas come from being a part of the network of other great ideas. When you feel stuck, go watch other creators. The easiest way is YouTube and TED talks. Other ways - You can pick up a book, watch a new documentary or mini series, even observe how someone in your family/ workplace creates something new. You will open up a whole new perspective of looking at the same things.

3. Write Down A List Of 10 New Ideas

I loved this idea that James Altucher shared in his books. Just like the body, the brain needs to be exercised everyday. This can take place by listing down 10 new ideas everyday. It is difficult, believe me. These can be new business ideas or just ideas to do something differently. The practice helps keep your brain sharp and you may hit upon a great creative / business idea by cross pollinating ideas from your daily list.

Go absolutely crazy with this - doesn't have to make sense. These are a few I came up with:

• Cafe + reading club + community center
• Capturing memoirs of our mothers when they were our age
• Set up a school where students are the teachers

Try it out.... it's fun!

4. Take Up A New Activity

Our brains get jaded and fall into automatic routines with our work. It is easier for them and it is part of evolution. Break the routine and try a new activity - become a beginner at something. Cooking, gardening, coding, painting. It has to be something that you have never done before. You can even try doing the work of a colleague from a different department, just for one day. It forces us to become creative problem solvers.

5. Exercise

The one I most struggle with. It has been proved most beneficial for creativity and productivity. Our bodies are a crucial factor affecting our moods, work, energy levels and even creativity. Exercise of any form - even 10 - 15 minutes a day gets the stress out and unblocks us from lethargy. Author Murakami stated that running daily helped him become a focused writer.

So there goes. Hope this helps. I am Annesha - Content ninja and YouTube creator. You can follow my videos here - AskAnnie