To be creative is the ability to use your imagination to create original ideas. So, just how do you come up with original ideas in a world that seems to have everything figured out? A few clicks of the mouse and some tapping on the keyboard will get you to many sites online that have amazing ideas. As Oscar Wilde said, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.” Yes, it is true. Imitation could be construed as flattery; however, the quote also suggests that the person doing the imitation is mediocre, average, or unimaginative. So how do we boost our own creativity to become the one with the great idea?

Here are 5 ways to improve your creative spirit:

#1 Unplug – Step away from your digital devices. Spend a few moments each day in mindful meditation. Sit quietly or go for a walk, inside or out. Do this without any added distraction. That means turn off the phone, the radio, television, etc. Listen to the sounds around you, absorb the sights, smells, and sensations of where you are. This mindfulness will invite creativity. It will allow your brain to absorb your experience through your senses and open the door to new experiences and expand your reception of ideas and thoughts.

#2 Change it up - Find new patterns and/or choose new colors. Take a moment and look at an object close by. If that object has a straight line, how might it look if the line was curvy or jagged? What if it had wings or eyes? How about changing the colors? If you are not well versed in color theory (most of us aren’t), get a color wheel and learn how to use it. See what new colors can be used in combination with each other to create a new visual display.

#3 Do it your way – If you have struggled with your creativity, it may simply be a result of being too critical of your own work. Art is subjective. Go to an art gallery. You will find simple to complex designs; some you will like and others you will not. As a creative person, you must move past the thought of needing to create something that pleases everyone. A few painted lines on a canvas have sold for thousands of dollars. Why? Because those lines spoke to someone. Those lines or the colors used told a story that had meaning for them, not everyone. Also, being creative does not necessarily meant painting or drawing. Being creative could mean that you are musical, a builder, a visionary. Embrace you!

#4 Create an uncluttered environment – In order for your mind to be free to think of new ideas, we must create an environment that is free of clutter. When your workspace is neat, organized, and clean, the ability to relax in tenfold. A relaxed mind opens the opportunity to create.

#5 Be curious - Curiosity stems creativity. The more exposure you have to different ideas, ways of life, cultures, etc. the more likely you are to come up with new ideas or twists on an old one. Challenge yourself to try new things. New experiences are key to expanding your creativity.