By Tracey Ashcraft
Your creativity can be like an untamed wild horse running on the range.
It’s a beautiful animal, full of energy and potential. Imagine this horse stops to splash in a shallow pond, and a person full of anticipation comes up from behind and tries to harness it to ride. The horse’s eyes bulge with fear and fury because it doesn’t want to submit. It wants to be free! Watch any old Western movie, and you’re likely to see a scene like this, where a cowboy is trying to “break” a wild horse. Now superimpose this vision with someone trying to channel his or her unbridled ideas and dreams to reach life or business goals. In both cases, without an organized strategy and step-by-step approach, the person is likely to get bucked to the ground many times and may never get in the saddle.
Although a flood of ideas can be desirable when writing a story, prepping a canvas for paint, planning a themed party, or creating a new business plan, at other times the deluge can be so uncontrollable that it gets in the way of completing anything worthwhile. On these occasions, new creative ideas enter the mind and overthrow any current projects at hand because they can seem far more interesting or viable than the ones being worked on. If you need some help getting up, brushing off the dust, and getting back into the saddle to evaluate, prioritize, and actually execute creative ideas, there are 10 easy ways to tame the wild steed in your mind.
What can you do when creativity runs wild?
1. Write down your ideas.
When a creative burst hits, it may not be practical to bring all of the ideas to fruition, even if they are good. Write them all down so that you can review them later when then excitement level comes down and you can be objective in analyzing the opportunities.
2. Carry a small journal or utilize a notepad app on your phone.
Ideas often hit at inconvenient times. Having a place to record them and reference them at a later time is invaluable. For example, Evernote is a free app for the Android or iphone that can be accessed later from your computer. The computer program itself also can facilitate scanning, searching, and data storage.
3. Prioritize the ideas.
Review your creative ideas when you have some quiet time. Decide which projects are most important to tackle during the current week. Set aside the other ideas and just work on the most important ones for that week.
4. Create an idea box or wall.
When ideas hit and you fear losing them or having them take you off course, capture them in some way. A basket or a decorative photo box can house inspirations of many sorts such as scraps of fabric, color chips from the paint store, photos, quotes, etc. For a new twist on the bulletin board, try the online virtual bulletin board at pinterest.com.
5. Have creativity sessions.
Even the most creative people have times when they draw a blank. Creativity sessions get you out of the thinking mind and into the creative mind. Break out paints and enjoy the feeling of paint moving on the paper. Turn on music and dance in the living room. Try making a collage out of magazine pictures. Don’t worry about the outcome. The creative session is about the process not the result.
6. Limit stimulating activities.
Surfing the Internet can be a great source for inspiration when creating. It also can become overwhelming. The same principle rings true when looking through magazines or reading articles. These activities can enhance your life but are best enjoyed in short increments of around 30 minutes.
7. Get feedback.
When ideas are flooding in, it can be helpful to run them by a trusted friend. Sometimes having input from someone that is supportive can help expand the idea into a cohesive objective or goal.
8. Let go of what others think.
This tip is different from getting the feedback of a trusted source. Creativity can be stifled if you tell too many people your ideas and they get shot down. In the spirit of “helping” people will freely offer their opinions without realizing that they may have a counterproductive influence.
9. Be kind to yourself.
If you feel pulled in too many directions with a wild flood of ideas, be gentle on yourself. The ideas are part of your bigger process. Try meditating or taking a nap at these times.
10. Follow your passion.
Learn to trust your ideas, and follow the ones that you are most passionate about.
It’s important to make sure your creativity is an asset and not a liability. These tips may seem basic, but they do take discipline to follow. Forcing yourself to write ideas down actually frees brain space for more ideas, while getting into the habit of prioritizing and reviewing lists will help you to feel calm and focused during the process. If you are ready to take the reins and harness your creativity, there is no limit to what you can create in your life and business.
Tracey Ashcraft, MA, is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Coach based in Boulder, CO. She also has a vintage trailer restoration business. Tracey is passionate about helping people to live their best lives. Coaching sessions are offered via phone or video chat. For more information, visit www.bestlifetherapy.com.