Creativity is a skill to be learned, practiced, and developed, just like any other. Juggling takes practice, as does surfing, coding, and driving a car. Creativity is no different. The more you make creativity part of your daily life, the more it will grow.

"Anyone is capable of dreaming up the next iPhone or picturing the next Mona Lisa." Tweet

What distinguishes a creative person from one who isn’t? Aren’t we all creative on some level? I believe the answer to this question is yes; however, there are definitely some people that have an easier time staying in a creative and inspired mindset than others.

According to Mark McGuinness, “We can probably all recognize the classic image of the artist or creative person. A Romantic, willful, sensitive, temperamental, tortured soul, a perpetual outsider with a mysterious and misunderstood talent. A bit like a cross between Lord Byron and Vincent Van Gogh.”

“Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple, learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen.” John Steinbeck Tweet

I’m writing this post for everyone that knows they are creative, and also for those that doubt their ability to be creative. I hope some of these ideas light a spark within you so you can realize your own greatness!

20 Ways to Stimulate Your Own Creativity:

1. Keep a notebook and pen with you at your desk, in your car, everywhere you go so you can always record your ideas as you have them.

2. Learn to ask more questions. Ask “What if?” Don’t be afraid to have what seem to be completely crazy ideas. Learn to think beyond what seems obvious.

3. Daydream. Learn to use your imagination. You must see it in your mind before it becomes a reality. Become a master at visualization.

4. Become more spontaneous. Don’t concern yourself with what others think about your ideas. 

5. Follow your intuition. Follow that little voice inside; it will never let you down.

6. Do not compare yourself to others. This is a quick creativity killer. Be nice to yourself.

7. Try new things. Visit a museum, go shopping, a change of scenery will reboot your creative mind.

8. Brainstorm with your family or friends. 

9. Read, read and then read some more. Whether you are reading a book, your tweets, the Internet, just read. Never stop learning.

10. Take a bubble bath.

11. Learn to become comfortable with the silence. Quiet your mind. Go within, there are nuggets of gold in there if you can quiet your mind and explore yourself. Get in the moment.

12. Try new foods. Milk, spinach, salmon, whole grain pasta, tofu and sunflower seeds are all proven to make you feel happier and more creative.

13. Sleep or lack of it. It’s funny because it is shown that sleep can recharge your batteries and make you feel more creative, but also hacking your body and not sleeping for extended periods of time can trigger insane amounts of creativity.

14. Listen to music. (This one is my favorite!)

15. Physical exercise definitely stimulates creativity.

16. Take a walk in nature, breathe in the fresh air, appreciate and become inspired by nature.

17. Stop doubting your own ability to be creative. Believe that you are inherently creative.

18. If you hit a wall creatively, walk away and do something else for a while, then go back to your project. When I do this, the answer almost always magically comes to me.

19. Learn to take more chances, put yourself out there a bit more, trusting yourself. 

20. Last but certainly not least, fall in love with what you do. All creative people have this in common. For example, I love to write. I write for the same reason that I breathe, because I have to. It is who I am and I love it. Find your passion and do it. And then, do it some more.

What appears to be an elusive trait born into famous innovators is actually a muscle that just needs to be flexed to grow stronger. Regardless of how uncreative you think you are, there’s still hope. Anyone is capable of dreaming up the next iPhone or picturing the next Mona Lisa. It just takes work.