How to be more creative by thinking like a child

It can be hard to be creative. You might feel like you’re not good at it, or that you don’t have a natural talent. And even if you do manage to come up with some ideas, they may not be very good.

This is because being creative is not just a matter of intelligence or natural ability. It’s also about how you think and how you approach things.

In order to be more creative, you need to learn how to think like a child.

Why thinking like a child is conducive to creativity

When we are children, we are naturally creative. We experiment and explore without judgment, and we are willing to try new things. We don’t always believe in rules, and we aren’t afraid of making mistakes.

As we grow older, however, we lose this creativity. We develop a critical voice in our heads which tells us that our ideas are no good, that we are not talented enough, or that someone else has already done it better. become more judgmental and less adventurous, and this kills our creativity.

But it doesn’t have to be this way! You can regain your childhood creativity. All you need is a few reminders on how to do that.

With practice and time, you'll feel a sense of ease and lightness. And you'll bring more creativity to everything you do: whether it's improving your craft, making more money, writing, building a business or something else.

How to play and be creative like a child again

Here are some easy tips to try out. They might feel silly, but anything that challenges you will feel uncomfortable. However, as you open your mind and free yourself from inflexible thinking, you'll find it easier to unlock your creativity.

• Allow yourself to make mistakes. This is probably the most important thing. When you’re trying to be creative, you will make mistakes. A lot of them. And that’s okay! Embrace your mistakes and learn from them.
• Don’t take yourself too seriously. Remember that being creative is supposed to be fun! Let go of your perfectionism and allow yourself to play.
• Be curious and explore new things. Curiosity is the key to creativity. When you’re curious, you’re open to new ideas and willing to experiment.
• Think outside the box and combines things that don't 'make sense' together. Don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo or break the rules. This is how progress is made.
• Allow yourself to daydream. When you daydream, your mind is free to wander and come up with new ideas. So let yourself daydream as often as possible.
• Involve your body and get physical. Did you know that there's a study linking walking to enhanced creativity? It indicates that one of the reasons why children can be more creative is because they're also so physical. They dance, they love to go outside and walk, they run, jump, and play. So get your body moving too!
• Be patient. Creativity doesn’t always happen overnight. Sometimes it takes weeks, months, or even years for a good idea to come to you. So be patient and trust that the ideas will come when they’re ready. Children aren't known for being patient but they do venture into new things without expecting a clear path or solution. Keep this kind of open-ended attitude to your work to allow fresh ideas to come through.

These are just some of the ways you can start thinking like a child again and become more creative in your work. They sound fun and should be easy to do, right? But you might find that's not the case. But pick a few ideas to try or follow for a few days. After a week, tune in and see how you do.

Are you more productive? Do you have good ideas for content, work, or business? Even small improvements are effective. And over time you'll see creativity spill over in all areas of life, whether you're building a blog, writing emails, or just finding new things to do.

So, how can you apply these tips at work or in your business or even to solve normal problems. Let's look at a few ideas:

• If you're feeling stuck with a problem at work, try doodling your problem into abstract shapes and lines. Engaging your motor and visual skills can help break through the mental blockage.
• Next time you're brainstorming with colleagues, try to come up with as many wild and crazy ideas as possible without judgement. The crazier, the better! And finally, when you're working on a project, allow yourself some time to daydream and think about what you want to achieve. What is the end goal? What does success look like? By thinking about the bigger picture, you can help to inspire and motivate yourself to be more creative in your work.
• Feeling tired? Stuck? Helpless? Go for a walk. A quick and brisk walk around the block can help to increase your heart rate and blood flow, both of which have been linked to enhanced creativity.
• Sometimes you just need to drop a problem completely. I've found that having a good night's rest or even taking a break from a project for a few days or a week can make a difference. Children sleep deeply and enjoy their hobbies and free time thoroughly. Take a leaf from their book and disconnect from an issue from time to time. You'll feel refreshed and come back with creative ideas.

These ideas and ways should help you see how you can start thinking like a child again to be more creative. But there are other benefits to thinking like a child, too. For example, children are also very open-minded. They're not afraid to try new things or take risks. And they're also very present in the moment, which can help them to be more mindful and appreciate life more.

So go ahead and think like a child again! It's good for your creativity and your overall well-being.