What to do when you need to spark your life force, rev up your
engine? I’m not just talking about the creative arts. Every human being needs
revitalization at some point. If you’ve become discouraged, overwrought, and suffered a loss of
productivity in your field of endeavor, there are ways to deal with it.
Get started by making some life changes. Get out of your
normal rut or routine. Consider doing things you’ve never tried before or
haven’t done lately. They don’t have to be dangerous or extreme either.
Here’s one suggestion:
The lead story in the January 11, 2015 edition of PARADE Magazine is
entitled:
“The #1 Health-Booster in 2015.” What is it? Meditation. Not something
new but certainly beneficial. It’s referred to as “mindfulness.” Apparently, it
creates “body-building for the brain.” It is both “anxiety-busting” and “attention-boosting”.
I would refer to it as awareness and focus. By its very nature, meditation
encourages creativity.
Here are some of the suggested activities that increase
mindfulness according to this article (which I would urge you to read in its
entirety):
·
Breathe deeply concentrating on the act itself
·
Hug someone, focusing on the interaction
·
Eat slowly while paying attention to what you are
eating
·
Take a walk somewhere each day—engaging in awareness
of your surroundings
The key is to keep focus
on the activity and not let your mind wander or worry.
This is just one positive method of increasing your
creativity which can lead to increased productivity.
Have you tried meditation? Would you like to do so if you haven't? What suggestions do you have for boosting creativity and productivity?
An insightful post - meditation is a wonderful way to focus your mind. Unfortunately my mind is most unruly and, if given the chance, runs off in a dozen directions at once. And, believe it or not, that's when I seem to get my best ideas!
ReplyDeleteHi, Janis,
DeleteWhatever works best!
Look through magazines and news articles. You might find something that sparks your interest and sends your story brain in a new direction.
ReplyDeleteHi, Nancy,
DeleteI get a lot of good ideas for short stories from reading nonfiction as well.
I've found meditation helpful, too, though I'm not regular enough about it. I've also found just sitting quietly with a pen and paper, scribbling down whatever crazy ideas come to mind will sometimes spark interesting ideas.
ReplyDeleteStream of consciousness is a great way of sparking new ideas as well!
DeleteI have found the walking to be a great help when stuck. I'll walk a long way through my neighborhood. About two miles in -- while thinking of nothing but how lovely the day is -- I'll suddenly have an idea. Out of nowhere. Of course, I also use walking to practice dialog, so, yes, I'm the woman talking to herself in different voices.
ReplyDeleteHi, Sheila,
DeleteWalking works well for me too. I prefer walking outdoors but with the bad weather, I find the treadmill is good as well.
I haven't tried meditation but have often thought about giving it a try. I just need to make myself slow down enough to stop and do it.
ReplyDeleteHi, Calisa,
DeleteMeditation both relaxes the mind and simultaneously energizes it by improving the ability to focus.
Meditation is good for many reasons and may help spark ideas. My preference is to go for a walk. Not a walk with a specific goal, but what Thoreau called sauntering. Just wandering, with no specific goal in mind save to notice your surroundings and stimulate the senses. You'd be surprised how it opens you up to fresh ideas.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you, John!
DeleteI meditate almost every day. If I come to a point in a story where I don't know what should come next, I set the story aside and let my mind wander. I let details and plot twists show up while I'm editing or revising something else. I get ideas from reading other people's work, reading the paper, or listening to people talk.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like good, creative thinking.
DeleteYou have no idea how much I needed this today!
ReplyDeleteGlad to be helpful, D'Ann!
DeleteBesides the ones mentioned, I find any mindless activity such as washing dishes, folding clothes, riding in a car, just sitting by the water will spark ideas for me.
ReplyDeleteI sent Parade to with the Sunday paper to Hubby in the hospital without reading it. I'm going to see if I can find the whole article online. Thanks for a great post in my time of need. LOL
Pat Marinell
Hi, Pat,
DeleteThose are all great activities for sparking creative ideas. I hope your husband feels better soon!
When you're stuck on a manuscript, nothing beats a change of scenery. Thanks for posting!
ReplyDeleteHi, Mike,
DeleteIt pays to take a break and do something different. Stirs the imagination.
Every time I try to meditate, my mind wanders, so I've given that up, but I do believe the breathing (3-part yoga breathing) helps, and walking my dog is very helpful. Good ideas, Jacqueline.
ReplyDeleteI know a number of people who insist on the benefits of yoga. As to dog walking, a great excuse to get out and exercise. Thanks for stopping by Maris.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog, Jacquie. I do yoga, but the best thing I've done to boost my creativity was to go on vacation! Amazing how getting away from the rut can inspire a person!
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Alice, a change of scene makes a big difference.
DeleteInformative post, as always, Jacqui. Both quiet meditation and vigorous activity work for me, so I knit and/or snowshoe. My conscious mind is engaged just enough to quiet the monkey-brain, and ideas can bubble up.
ReplyDeleteNow, if I could just remember them long enough to write them down!
Hi, Nikki,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. I can see where both knitting and snowshoe would encourage ideas to take shape.
I agree. Mindfulness and meditation are soothing. I always feel energized afterward. I also think that mindfulness enriches the experience, whether its eating or writing or whatever.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts, Maggie.
DeleteJ: As a long-time yogi, I know how difficult it is to meditate. Years of practice enable me to focus on the moment--at least some of the time--rather than spinning plot or refining character in my mind.
ReplyDeleteYoga is something I would definitely like to practice. I know that it encourages focus.
DeleteAlways helpful, Jacquie, and I agree with the need. I'm just back after a long day at our state capital trying to get legislation through for gun background checks. Exhausting, but yes, as you said, it's great to get out and do something wholly different. My brain is a bit dead from sleep deprivation, but will be more creative after a rest.
ReplyDeleteHi, Nancy,
DeleteIt sounds like you were trying to do something very worthwhile and useful.