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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re still trying to find your creative spirit, attend classes. Take part in conventions and seminars. Be on the lookout for creative conferences you can attend. Thanks to technology, you don\u2019t even have to leave your room to educate yourself. There are webinars you can sign up for and YouTube videos to watch. There\u2019s so much material out there, all you need to do is set the wheels in motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Surround Yourself with Creatives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Who better to trust to help your creativity bloom than other creatives?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Find people who are just as passionate about their art and lean on every word they say. Study their habits and their inspirations. Ask them questions and exchange opinions with them. Note that this group should be a mix of people you admire, people who inspire you, and people who have a thirst for knowledge just like you, as well as people whose styles differ from yours. A healthy mix of people will ensure that you can see every discussion from different perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, don\u2019t be afraid to hang out with people who have had far more experience than you; people who have gone farther than where you are at the moment. Never feel that you are beneath them, and are therefore unworthy to be around them. This kind of mentality will get you nowhere. These people know what you\u2019re going through because they have been there, and they can give you advice that none of your peers would be able to give you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Becoming a pro does not happen overnight. Even child prodigies who were born with advanced levels of creativity had to go through a lot of steps before getting to where they are. Never rush it, and never give in to impatience. This will only make you feel frustrated and could become counter-productive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Enjoy every moment of the learning process and take baby steps to make sure you are able to fully absorb every learning opportunity, every lesson, every takeaway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Isn\u2019t it frustrating when you come across creatives who just clamp up and refuse to talk about their work? Sadly, there are so many creatives out there who would rather keep their talents to themselves and to paying clients. They do not believe that supporting up-and-coming creatives would help them. Rather, they see that as a threat, as a way of grooming their future competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Learn from this and go the opposite direction. The creative world should be a place of positivity and support, not a place where people bring each other down. Share your work and your insights. This would, in turn, encourage other creatives to share with you as well, and this open communication will allow a deep understanding of different approaches to take.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, you also have to know your limits. Be generous, but don\u2019t give everything away for free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The more you expose yourself and your work to other people, the more open you’ll be to criticism. Instead of going right back to your cave and avoiding the punches, just roll with them. Remember that negative feedback should not be taken personally. Instead, these should be used as areas for improvement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Consider each and every criticism you receive for your work. Never answer back with \u201cThis is who I am\u201d or \u201cThey just don\u2019t understand my work.\u201d This only means that you are close-minded, and the moment this happens, you also push back any opportunity for learning and growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Try working on the areas pointed out to you and see if things become better with the suggestions. If it doesn\u2019t work for you and you still prefer your old style, then that\u2019s great! You were able to prove that your idea was better all along. But if you try out new suggestions and find that your work does improve, then that\u2019s great, too! Admit that this makes things so much better and celebrate the fact that you found a way to improve your work and grow as an artist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut that\u2019s what I\u2019ve been doing all this time!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Well, if you\u2019ve been working on client projects left and right, although that requires a lot of creativity, this does not qualify as \u201ccreative time.\u201d Creative time is quality time between you and the world, not just between you and work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Set aside an hour or two each day to just feed the creative in you. Walk around outside and take time to absorb every detail \u2013 that cityscape, the people around you, the cracks on the pavement, the movement around. Go to different shows and laugh, cry, and feel other emotions with other people. Explore nature and find the beauty in natural art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you have perfected the art of spending quality time with the world, you also learn to draw inspiration from just about anything. And from here, you\u2019ll encounter fewer moments where you\u2019re banging your head on the desk to force new ideas to come out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is a trap that a lot of creatives have fallen into. Sadly, this is also one reason why a lot of creatives do not get ahead. They decide that their forte is one style, and they never move away from that. They limit themselves to what they believe they\u2019re best at and fail to discover other ways to do things in the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So you\u2019ve perfected one art style or a single approach. That\u2019s awesome, keep it up! But continue experimenting with other styles and other approaches. You may not be as great at them now, but through constant experimentation, it will get better. Remember that potential clients vary in their preferences and needs. What happens when a lot of potential clients prefer something else aside from your specialty? You immediately shut out a huge percentage of the market\u2014something that won\u2019t be good for you if you decide to take this career path seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Writers read the works of their favorite authors. Artists look at the works of their favorite illustrators. Singers listen to their favorite lyrics. But can\u2019t writers find inspiration from the music made by musicians, and can\u2019t singers be enthused by amazing graphic art?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Never stick the usual sources of inspiration. Remember that inspiration can be found anywhere as long as you open your senses to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you\u2019ve been working on a specific project day and night and you find yourself out of ideas, don\u2019t push yourself any further. You\u2019ll only squeeze yourself dry and you\u2019ll end up in a worse rut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When working on any project, give yourself some time away from the desk. Work for a few hours, then step away and prepare a snack. Work a few hours more, then get up and make yourself some coffee. Work for another few hours, then get up and toss some stuff into the dishwasher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your brain needs rest. You are not a robot. By giving yourself time to work on menial tasks that do not really require a lot of brainpower, you allow your mind to reboot and recharge. Try it out yourself. You\u2019ll find that when you get back to work, your mind will feel fresh and new, ready to attack more parts of the project you\u2019re working on with added ferocity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You see, creativity is not just a personality trait\u2014it\u2019s an actual lifestyle. It\u2019s not just something you\u2019re born with\u2014it\u2019s something you hone and develop through time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is why the moment you decide to be a creative, it also comes with the decision for you to change your lifestyle. Remember that leaving your comfort zone is the only way for you to grow, develop, and advance. Stay within the limitations you have set for yourself and you\u2019ll find yourself in the same place you started from, no matter how much time passes by.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Two](\"https:\/\/getflywheel.com\/layout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/2019-10-16_Layout-Repository-9299-784x523.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDon\u2019t Rush It<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Learn the Value of Sharing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"three](\"https:\/\/getflywheel.com\/layout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/2020-03-02_Amanda-Martinez_Portraits-Lifestyle_Layout_Life-at-Flywheel-Article-1193-784x523.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nEmbrace Negative Feedback<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"a](\"https:\/\/getflywheel.com\/layout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/layout-guest-post-3-784x523.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nSet Aside Some Creative Time<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t Set Limitations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Move Away From the Obvious<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Squeeze in a Few Menial Tasks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What Does all this Have to do with you Being Creative?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n