1. FORGET THE OUTCOME

The best creative minds are much more concerned with the process, not the product. By staying in the moment and focusing their attention on the task at hand, a good creator innately understands that a favorable outcome is more likely. Enjoy the process. The result will take care of itself.

2. NIX THE CRITICISM

When creators relax, and distance themselves from any self-imposed beliefs, the ideas begin to flow.

3. RELAX

Stress is a terrible companion of creativity. The best ideas do not, and cannot, surface when the mind is tense; they must come naturally. Do whatever is necessary to relax. Go take a walk, sit beside a lake or under a tree, meditate, play a video game…anything.

4. WRITE IDEAS DOWN

Jotting down creative ideas accomplishes two important things. First, you’ll have a physical record of the idea, making it more plausible that something will come of it. Second, this habit frees up valuable brain resources to piece together other creative ideas. So, keep a “creative journal” and pen handy.

5. READ, THEN READ SOME MORE

Perhaps no other activity stimulates the brain more than reading; making it an irreplaceable activity for creators. When we read on a consistent basis, new neural connections are formed in the brain – a process known as neuroplasticity.
Reading needn’t be a dreadful activity. Find any topic of interest to you, and spend a half an hour reading it each night before bedtime.

6. MEDITATE

How many of you thought this one was coming? This article simply wouldn’t be complete without discussing meditation’s benefits on creativity.
Meditation is conducive to creative thinking in that the practice quiets and relaxes the mind. According to the University of Southern California, the average person has 60 to 70 thousand thoughts per day .
Remember what was discussed earlier about the importance of a relaxed mind in creative thinking? Meditation, when practiced effectively, promotes the higher-level functioning of the brain – an essential component to thinking creatively.

7. LAY OFF THE “BAD STUFF”

Alcohol, cigarettes, refined sugars, processed foods – all ubiquitously consumed, especially in the West – and all counterproductive to
sustainable creative thinking.
This “bad stuff” quickly depletes our energy levels; including energy resources within the brain. Laying off of these toxic items will help to sustain your energy and promote a sense of health and well-being. Energy, health, and well-being are important qualities when it comes to creative thinking.

8. EXERCISE YOUR BODY AND BRAIN

Physical activity is a vital component to maintaining energy levels and health; thus is a potent inductor of original thoughts.
Exercising your brain is just as important. More specifically, puzzles and abstract activities shift the brain’s resources to approach a solution from a different angle. As our brain’s creative neural connections grow, so will out ability to conceive creative ideas.
There are plenty of ways to exercise your brain . If you own a smartphone, plenty of free apps on the market will challenge your problem-solving ability. Or, you can go the ole’ fashioned route and buy puzzle pieces. Lots of ideas here.

Source: Powerofpositivity