Developing a Creativity Mindset

You Can’t Always Rely on Your Muse

For any artist, developing a creativity mindset is crucial if you want to be successful. Because let’s face it, your muse is far from 100% reliable. The way I see it, she’s off on a sunny beach somewhere sipping a Mai Tai waiting for you to take some responsibility. After all, why should she have to carry the full load? It’s not that she’s a slacker, but you know how it is when you have a co-worker who lets you do most of the work. That’s when her tactic takes the turn from regularly feeding you brilliant inspirations to making very rare appearances. After all, you gotta give the girl something to work with.

If you won’t take an active role in developing a creativity mindset, don’t expect your muse to help. (Photo Credit: 123RF.com Image ID : 44150621 Copyright: grafner)

All joking aside, the creativity mindset is something that must be cultivated. Think of it as another muscle. If that muscle doesn’t get exercised regularly, it becomes weak and eventually atrophies. In order for you to pick up the slack and carry your fair share of the load, you must exercise and strengthen the muscle.

From the get-go, most people turn away from anything having to do with exercise, body or mind. If you’re one of them, you’ll have to ask yourself if it’s worth it to you to do the work. On the other hand, if creating art is something you’re passionate about, why would you have an aversion to practicing it? I would think it would be something you couldn’t get enough of and would want to do as much as possible.

Perhaps if you looked at it in a different perspective, such as a “legit excuse” to draw?

If you’re one of the ones who went to art school (or are considering it) did you complain about having to draw all the time? If so, maybe art isn’t for you. That’s just one of the main heavy-duty things to reflect on before you put any more effort into being a creative.

So, just how does one go about developing a creativity mindset?

A simple one is to pick one subject matter, living or inanimate. Come up with a challenge for that object, such as drawing it 25 different ways, 30, 50, or 100 ways. Keep in mind that the further you push it, the more you’re exercising that muscle. For example, if I chose to draw my mailbox, how many different angles could I draw it from? Or could I draw that mailbox as a robot or some other animated character? And then draw 50 different varieties.

Photo Credit: Myra Naito

If you’re drawing a character, draw the same character with 20 different expressions. Then do another set with 20 different changes in wardrobe, 20 different positions, environments, etc.

You could also make an exercise out of using an idea generator (FREE DOWNLOAD) or drawing prompts. There are literally a gazillion daily drawing prompts out there these days. And…you get to pick your flavor! If you’re into sci-fi, Google sci-fi drawing prompts. You can Google spooky drawing prompts, fantasy drawing prompts, etc. The possibilities are endless.

Ditch the excuses! It’s time to adult.

(Photo Credit: 123RF.com Image ID : 34827033 Copyright : Ion Chiosea)

Now, some of you might be thinking that you don’t have time. That’s the same excuse people use to not go to the gym. The fact of the matter is that people will absolutely make time for what’s important to them. It’s mind-boggling how quickly TV and social media, the biggest time-wasters of the modern age can suddenly take a backseat when you make something a priority.

If you’re truly interested in developing a creativity mindset, you’re going to have to step up to the plate and do a little adulting once in a while. At least when it comes to things that matter to you. You’ll start to find that once you take a proactive role, your muse will take it upon herself to make more frequent visits to your art table. After all, now she has lots to work with!