I like to think that Taylor and I have a pretty good yin and yang balance going on. She’s the visionary creative, and I’m the organized integrator. While I might not be the one coming up with the big, bold ideas, I can sure as hell implement them. I have a love of productivity and systems, which makes this month’s theme of “productivity” right up my organized alley. One of my favorite sayings is, “Creativity blooms when given rails.” You can be your most productive and most creative at the same time by implementing a few good habits. Here are a few bad habits to break ASAP.
Bad Habit #1 – Lack of courage
“Creativity takes courage” is one of our favorite quotes by Henri Matisse. Anyone can be creative. Letting those “not good enough” doubts creep into your thoughts is one of the worst things you can do during the creative process. Creativity means taking chances and exploring the unknown. Doubting your own skill level or capabilities is the destroyer of creative energy.
Bad Habit #2 – Playing the comparison game
Nothing will put out your creative fire quicker than comparing yourself to others. When you compare your creativity with others, you rob yourself of your own unique innovation and imagination. The goal here is not to compare your progress and results with anyone else, but to set your own standards and measure up to those. You have to allow yourself the freedom to create and explore, and if you’re constantly looking over your shoulder at what everyone else is doing, you’ll never move forward.
Bad Habit #3 – You’re too distracted
Expressing yourself creatively means focusing and applying boundaries. If you have your phone out and you’re checking IG every 5 minutes in between projects, it’s hard to get into the flow of things. You have to be your own boss and put the rails on in order to thrive. Schedule downtime in your phone or put it on airplane mode. Having distraction-free hours strictly set will help you creatively and motivationally.
Bad Habit #4 – You take criticism too personally
Feedback is helpful when creating something new, whether it be good or bad. But don’t dwell on the one thing your audience didn’t like and ignore the 10 things they did like. We all need feedback and criticism in order to grow. Having a fear or obsession with negative feedback means you’re unwilling to evolve as a creative.
Bad Habit #5 – Believing in only one solution
Just like in science and mathematics, multiple solutions are possible. By clinging to one solitary solution, you close off any other possibilities and don’t ask yourself valuable questions that help you explore multiple sides of creativity. A healthy creative mindset is an open one.
It’s time to toss these bad habits and unleash your full creative potential. Make sure to sign up for our creativity newsletter for more tips and strategies.
