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We all have those days at work where we would rather be anywhere else but at the office. The hours seem to stretch on and on, and finding the means to stay motivated seems impossible.
Related: This is the Secret to Getting and Staying Motivated
On days like these, it’s not just our motivation that suffers, but also our creativity.
While creativity is something that ebbs and flows, there’s no denying that there are just days where we feel completely stuck and altogether uncreative.
If you’ve been feeling creatively challenged at work lately, try these 5 ideas to spark your creativity again.
5 Ways to Spark Your Creativity at Work
1. Skip the social media. There’s no faster way to stunt your creativity and bring things to a screeching halt than to scroll through your newsfeed, especially at work. Take a break from checking your social media accounts. Trust me, when you’re not bothered by keeping up with everyone else and focusing on what they’re doing, you’ll actually be able to focus more on what you’re doing.
2. Do things manually. Sometimes we get stuck ‘going through the motions’ at work to where we’re unable to think beyond our routines, which can dampen our creative abilities. Maybe you like to take notes on your laptop during meetings. Or maybe you’re always utilizing your office’s online chat/messenger service rather than having face-to-face interactions. Take a break from the technology for a bit. Take notes with a pencil and paper. Deliver messages in person (when appropriate) and talk to your colleagues. By switching things up a bit, your brain will be primed to think more creatively and solve problems differently.
3. Stop staring at your screen. Staring at a screen all day is one way to quickly fatigue your brain. Take a break from your computer, your phone, and anything else that glows. By reducing the flow of external distractions (e.g., email, reminders, news, social updates, etc.), you’ll be able to encourage your own creative flow.
4. Talk to your colleagues. It’s all too easy to hide behind a screen all day and limit your interactions with others. Change things up a bit and catch up with your colleagues face-to-face. Talk out solutions to problems and brainstorm together, rather than shooting emails back and forth. Hearing new ideas may be just what you need to spark your creativity.
5. Go outside. Sometimes all you need is some extra vitamin D to get your creative juices flowing. Go outside and take a walk. Or sit outside and catch up with a colleague over coffee during your afternoon break. By giving yourself a chance to clear your mind, you open yourself up to new possibilities and new, creative ideas.
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