Tips For Staying Creative Under Pressure
We all know what it's like to feel creatively stifled. It's amazing when that moment of inspiration strikes, and you are blessed with an idea, seemingly out of nowhere. But, when you're in need of creativity on command, whether for work or school, you can't afford to wait for the muses to whisper in your ear. When the pressure is on, it can be hard to think outside the box and come up with fresh, innovative ideas.
Luckily, there are a few things you can do to help get those creative juices flowing. Here are eight tips for staying creative under pressure:
1. Give yourself time to warm up.
Just like athletes need to warm up before a big game, creatives need time to ease into the flow of things. One way to do this is by starting with some free association exercises. Set a timer for two minutes and write down everything that comes to mind, no matter how random or unrelated it may seem. The goal is simply to keep your Pen moving and get your brain thinking outside the box. Once the timer goes off, read over what you've written and see if any ideas jump out at you.
2. Be prepared
One of the best ways to stay creative under pressure is to be prepared. This means having a solid understanding of your task at hand and being clear about what is expected of you. If you're feeling overwhelmed, take a step back and break down your task into smaller, more manageable pieces.Then, make a plan of attack and set some achievable goals. By being prepared, you'll reduce the risk of feeling overwhelmed and increase your chances of coming up with great ideas.
3. Stay focused
It can be easy to get sidetracked when you're feeling pressure to be creative. Maybe you start thinking about all the other things you have to do or worrying about how your ideas will be received. Whatever the case may be, it's important to stay focused on the task at hand. One way to do this is to set aside some time each day where you can focus solely on being creative. Turn off your phone, close your email, and give yourself permission to think outside the box. When you're ready to start brainstorming, give yourself a specific amount of time to generate ideas. Once that time is up, move on to something else and come back later with fresh eyes.
4. Take breaks and allow yourself to daydream.
It might seem counterintuitive, but sometimes the best way to get those creative juices flowing is to step away from your work altogether. Go for a walk, take a nap or just allow yourself some time to daydream. Oftentimes, the ideas that seem to come out of nowhere are actually the result of our brains making connections between disparate thoughts and concepts while we're not actively thinking about them. So if you find yourself stuck, take a break and let your mind wander—you never know what you might come up with.
5. Set some parameters.
One reason why we often have trouble being creative under pressure is because we feel like we have too many options and too much freedom. When given complete freedom, it can be tough to narrow down our options and focus on a single task. So if you're feeling overwhelmed, Define the sandbox you want to play in. What is your end goal, what style or medium are you working in? What words or ideas do you have to use? What can't you use? Is there a time limit?
6. Draw inspiration from others.
If you're struggling to come up with original ideas, try looking at what other people have done for inspiration. Of course, you don't want to copy someone else's work outright—that's plagiarism!—but rather use it as a jumping-off point for your own unique ideas. For example, if you're working on a design project, take a look at other designs in your industry and see what elements you like and don't like about them. Then use that information to inform your own design choices.
7. Take some time for yourself every day.
Dedicate at least 30 minutes to an activity that you enjoy and that helps you relax. This can be anything from reading, listening to music, or going for a walk. Taking some time for yourself will help clear your mind and give you the space you need to be more creative.
8. Keep a journal.
Writing down your thoughts and ideas can help you organize your thoughts and make room for new ones. Having a record of your previous ideas will also give you something to look back on when you're feeling stuck. Plus, seeing your progress over time can be very motivating!
Being creative under pressure can be tough, but it's not impossible! By following these four tips—giving yourself time to warm up, taking breaks, setting parameters and drawing inspiration from others—you'll be well on your way to generating fresh, innovative ideas in no time flat.
