Creativity starts with the right attitude

Think of creativity like a seed. It won’t grow unless the soil and conditions are right. Your mindset is that soil. Before you can nurture your creativity, you need the right attitude to let it flourish.

Here’s how to cultivate a mindset that will nurture your creativity:

1️. Openness - be open to the possibility that there may be many, equally good ways to do something. The most creative thinkers reserve judgement to explore different approaches and solutions.

2️. Imagination - look beyond the obvious and don’t just ask “what is this?”, ask “what could it do?” Where is the hidden potential? A coffee cup isn’t just for coffee. It’s a paperweight, a plant pot or a cooky cutter, depending on what you do with it.

3️. Curiosity- treat information as fuel for ideas. Ask yourself “what stands out and why?”, “What thoughts does it spark?” “Where could it lead?”. Speculate on the consequences of what something might mean.

4️. Awareness - focus on what is distinct, unique or unusual about something, even everyday things, rather than blending everything into one. “Why does this matter?”, “Where could it lead to?”

Notice how your mindset shifts when you prioritize possibilities over perfection.