Help! My creativity has run out: How to be original again

Four possible causes of creative poverty and their solutions

Creativity is not just the domain of artists and writers; it is essential in every field and for anyone who wants to grow and innovate. Whether you are solving a problem at work, looking for a new way to organize your life, or just want to enjoy life with a fresh perspective, creativity is key. It allows us to overcome challenges, adapt to change, and find unique solutions to complex problems.

But do you ever feel that your creativity is as fresh as a stale sandwich?

Welcome to the age of creative poverty! We live in a world where we follow the herd en masse. If others do it, so do we, because who wants to be left behind? It's a time when our ideas dare not color outside the lines, and we have forgotten how to surprise, stand out, convince, and touch. Why is that anyway?

Is AI taking away our creativity?

Enter robots: tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and MidJourney are making our lives a lot easier. Tasks that used to take hours, maybe even days, are now done with a few clicks. Writing blogs, drafting emails, and even generating complete business plans? No problem! You are a hero these days if you can come up with the right prompts and know how to optimize AI output. But wait a minute... Aren't these handy tools taking over our creativity? Didn't we 'used to' have to crunch our brains a lot more for an original angle?

What AI gives us is often just a clever remix of things that are already online. Old wine in new bottles, so to speak.

How do you get your own ideas down on paper before using AI?

1. Brainstorm on paper: Start by writing down everything that comes to mind about a topic. Don't worry about structure; let your thoughts flow.
2. Create mind maps: Use a mind map to visually map out your ideas. This can help you see connections you might otherwise miss.
3. Ask critical questions: Ask yourself ‘what if?’ and ‘why not?’ to challenge your thinking and explore new angles.
4. Take breaks: Let your ideas rest for a while and come back to them later. You will find that you will see new possibilities with fresh eyes.
5. AI as a supplement, not a replacement: Use AI to sharpen and expand your ideas, but not as a replacement for your own thinking. Let it enrich your creativity, not limit it.

Is working from home taking away our creativity?

The best ideas often come at the strangest times—at the lunch table, during Friday drinks, or at the coffee machine. With the rise of hybrid working or working from home altogether, these spontaneous bursts of inspiration have become scarce. We often sit in our uninspiring home environments, and our online meetings are as exciting as a dry piece of toast. There's no more room for spontaneity or goofiness.

Online brainstorming? That's as challenging as trying to put your cat in a bath. Your colleagues' energy just doesn't come across nicely through the screen.

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How do you draw inspiration from outside in a remote working environment?

1. Coffee dates with others: Meet up with someone from a completely different sector. You'll be surprised how much you can learn by applying their perspectives and ideas to your own work.
2. Attend lunch sessions or seminars: Attend sessions on topics you know little about. This can give you new ideas and insights that you can apply to your own work.
3. Creative side-projects: Start a project outside your normal work that interests and challenges you. This can help you develop new skills and increase your creative energy.
4. Outdoor walking: Make a daily habit of walking in nature. It has been proven that time outdoors can boost your creativity and refresh your mind.

Just run out of creativity?

It may sound crazy, but hasn't everything just been thought of once already? Is creativity, like other resources, running out? It seems like everything has been done before. So how can you still be original?

Creativity, fortunately, is not a finite resource. It is an eternal process of reinventing and combining existing ideas in new ways. Think of music: existing genres are constantly being mixed to create something new. The same goes for art and technology.

Being creative comes from embracing different perspectives, asking crazy questions, and continuing to seek improvement and innovation.

How do you recharge your creativity?

1. Step away from your work: Plan regular moments of rest and relaxation to refresh your mind and let new ideas bubble up.
2. Creative hobbies: Try a new hobby, such as painting, making music or cooking. This can help you express your creativity in other ways and keep your mind sharp. (tip: read The Artist Way: https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-25th-Anniversary/dp/0143129252 )
3. Explore new places: Exploring new environments can inspire you and give you a fresh perspective on familiar problems.
4. Read books or watch films: Get inspired by the stories of others and discover new perspectives that you can use in your own creative work.

Is our busy schedule taking away our creativity?

Perhaps our problem is that we don't allow ourselves time to be creative. We are like a production company cramming its days with work, sports, social commitments and family life. We no longer have time to really look and listen and apply those experiences to our work.

How can you get bored and thus come up with new ideas?

1. Schedule time for boredom: yes, you read it right! Schedule time in your diary to just do nothing. Let your mind wander and see what happens. (listen to this podcast: https://www.brainson.org/episode/2023/08/01/can-boredom-be-good-for-you)
2. Disconnect from technology: Turn off your phone and computer and enjoy some time offline. This can help you organise your thoughts and make room for new ideas.
3. Play and experiment: Give yourself the freedom to play and experiment without pressure or expectations. This can help you discover new ideas and unleash your creative potential.

Let's break creative poverty together!

How do you feel about this issue? Do you suffer from this as well?

Let's discover together how to get our creativity flowing again. How can we overcome the barriers that hold us back and surprise and stand out again? Let me know in the comments.

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