- Intent – An idea strikes
- Explore – Link thoughts
- Action – Research and organize
- Evaluate – Refinement and testing
- Display – Present for use
In other words, a thought has potential which causes analysis leading to an interest peaking concept and drives you to research options. The result may be intangible or a physical object styled for your needs.
INTRO
It is difficult for me to look around and not feel inquisitive about what I see and hear. I am constantly scanning the scene and appealing situations get recorded in my pocket notebook as text or sketches. When a notebook is full I begin a new one and keep on going. These journals become a great source of information for my projects. My dreams also divulge many concepts as a result of what I am thinking or doing on a daily basis. I keep my notebook close at hand 24/7. Side note: Since I go through so many notebooks I finally decided to make them. The cardboard covers are made from recycled cereal boxes and the paper is just standard white printer paper. Over time I developed the perfect size to fit in a t-shirt pocket. Why spend $13 for a Moleskin? Homemade cost is about 20¢ and 15 minutes.
KEEP IN MIND
- Creativity begins within the mind
- When an idea comes be ready to take it in
- Sketch and note your findings in a journal
- Be open especially at the onset of your thought
- Ideas set in your subconscious to morph
- Tidbits of subconscious info will blend and come to the surface
- As you become more energized by your findings you will work endlessly to attain your goal
- Nothing is lost if you decide to stop examining the idea
- Any progress made will be stored in your subconscious for future reference
- Be sensitive to your surroundings
- Find what encourages you
- All the details are not needed before you begin
- Pay attention to and follow your intuition
- When you engage in an unfamiliar action you enter the creative process
- Don’t let the limit of your knowledge stop you
- The eye and mind work together
- Seek out the new and fresh
- Jot down interesting words, phrases and feelings
- Create what makes you happy
- Be unique
- Imagine something, then make it real
FURTHER MORE
- At any point you may need to stop and learn new skills before proceeding
- Experiment and harness your thoughts
- Absorb the world around you
- Bend the rules
- The more output the more variety
- Much of the process is slow, awkward and a struggle
- Fear of failure keeps you from creating
- A different approach will be more rewarding than the usual way
STUFF TO TRY
- Change your routine
- Let yourself wander and explore
- Experiment and discover
- Re-arrange things
- Create many different versions
- Make due with what you have
- Be more interested in what you don’t know
- Interpret ideas in different ways
- Search out the things which stir your mind
- Look at parts of the whole
- Learn to think back and ahead at the same time
- Transform an idea into reality
- Associative Thinking
- Link one thought to another
- Mind Mapping
- Diagram of a concept surrounded by related words, images or tasks
ROUTINE FOR CREATIVES
- Make a routine that works for you.
- The time of day and an agreeable location is a good thing to form your routine around.
- Create a mood which inspires you to create
- Intertwine personal rituals with your creative routine
- Say no to distractions
- Review notes and sketches in your journal
- Divide the day into work & play
- Recognize when inspiration strikes
- When something comes to mind record it before it escapes
- Go walking and bring your journal
- Go to inspiring places or events
- Practice techniques you’ve read about or developed yourself
- Learn something new
- Meet with your peers
- Chart your schedule and see how your time is allocated
- Read about creative people
- Gain inspiration through their work
- Periodically gather your journaling into a useful format
- Create, Rest, Exercise, Sleep (repeat for a lifetime)
- When you reach an impasse take a break but be ready for ideas to flow
CLOSING COMMENTS
All people are creative. Only a few take steps to harness this creativity and fewer yet make the time to develop their thoughts into a tangible solution. Creativity can be a business or a hobby. The method to achieve and use creativity remains the same.
A BOOK TO READ
- The Creative Act: A Way Of Being by Rick Rubin (reflective thoughts)
nix_morton 02.25.2026