How to Boost Creativity (Without Falling into a Rut)

There’s a common misconception about creative people, I’ve found. The misconception is that the people who are bursting with brilliant ideas tend to be highly spontaneous, a little chaotic, not necessarily organized… people who simply allow their ideas to flow freely, without being impeded by too much structure.

The truth, though, is that many of the most creative people I’ve come across are highly organized, and in fact they say that the secret to their success is their routine, which helps them keep their mind focused on devising creative solutions.

But what if that’s just not you? What if you long to be creative, but you also don’t do as well with routine? What if you’re truly worried that greater structure in your life will send you straight into a rut?

Well, I’ve got some suggestions for you.

Creativity Without Routine?

• Go for a long walk — or even a hike. If you find that you’re just not coming up with the bright ideas you need, I really recommend going for a hike — not just a great way to get the blood pumping, but an excellent way to restore cognitive functioning, improving your attention span and your ability to tackle complex problems. Don’t be afraid of getting out of the office to get the creative juices flowing!