Comments on: Why Weird Stuff Makes You Creative

By: Lori Ballard

Lori Ballard — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 20:22:49 +0000

I just had a great idea for a dance video today. I find that when I have a creative idea it tends to pop up suddenly and unexpectedly. Usually I am listening to music or looking at photography and/or art when it happens.

By: Jason Cohen

Jason Cohen — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 16:15:53 +0000

Another tip for getting the juices flowing: Read something you really disagree with, or something you would normally agree with but it’s written extremely poorly.

Both get you to say “No no no! It’s like THIS!” And then you’re off…

By: Rik Konings

Rik Konings — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 10:05:53 +0000

Creative ideas are comming in my live when I am full with input and start juggling them in my mind. To improve this process I go out for a run of 10K while juggling three balls.
The combination of running and juggling brings me every time in a creative flow with all kind of weird ideas.
On one of this runs in 2007 I founded Creative World Foundation, to empower children with creativity: dance, drama, circus, art, music and theatre. http://www.creatievewereld.nl . Now I am proud when I think of the work for the children I did in Holland, Tanzania, Bosnia and Costa Rica. In the nearby future I plan actions in Costa Rica, Bosnia and Holland. Long live creativity!

By: Ryan Colgin

Ryan Colgin — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 20:25:08 +0000

This also relates to me with productivity oddly enough. When I come home to do more work and everything is in its place, it’s much more difficult for me to get things done (and be creative). But, if I go to a coffee shop to get work done, there are many different senses that are triggered throughout my stay: smells, tastes, different noises of people interacting and coffee being made… maybe even the subliminal creativity/productivity of others?!?!

Now I realize why I’m more productive/creative in those surroundings!

Thanks!

By: Marisa Birns

Marisa Birns — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 19:51:18 +0000

I’ve always known this!

See, for me, I’d be on the deck at the beach house all serene and ready to open my notebook and begin writing. I’d look over at the distant mountains.

Then a barrage of kites would tangle their way across my line of vision. The neighbor’s boys. They would start fighting and pushing each other. My cell phone would ring. I hear it but can’t find it, etc. etc.

One gets ideas everywhere. In a coffee shop. On the subway. You know what I mean.

Not perfect. But it works!

As I write this, family is all around talking and eating and dogs are barking and… :)

By: poch

poch — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 10:26:28 +0000

Sarge-
I’m just like you.
But jumping into the pc from the shower!
I envy your dedication man! LOL

By: Sarge | BeginnerBlogger.com

Sarge | BeginnerBlogger.com — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 06:47:34 +0000

My creativity is at its peak when I’m NOT at the computer but DOING other things.

In your first scenario you’re not actually doing anything and your mind is actually focused on trying to be creative.

Generally all my ideas for a lot of my blog posts come when I’m off for a walk, reading a book, watching a movie or even when I’m in the shower. These are all moments when I’m not thinking about blogging, but something triggers my brain to think creatively and match that up with a blog and hey presto – a great blog idea!

Once you have the brilliant idea WRITE it down somewhere and then find your solitude to write your brilliant piece of work.

To be honest though, I like writing in the heat of the moment. When I had the brilliant idea when I was in the shower I got out as quick as I could (modestly ;) and started typing on the laptop right away. It was a great post received really well and was a success :)

Sarge | BeginnerBlogger.com

By: Sharon Lippincott

Sharon Lippincott — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:56:07 +0000

Dean, you remind me — I save large mailing envelopes. The large space is great for mind-mapping and other planning doodles, and the trashiness of the medium is definitely liberating.

By: Dean Rieck at Pro Copy Tips

Dean Rieck at Pro Copy Tips — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:41:54 +0000

This makes sense. I once had a creative writing teacher tell me that a clean, blank page can stop you from writing. But crumple the page and mess it up with a few pencil marks and suddenly you feel free to write. Perfection stops action. Chaos spurs creativity.

In my line of work, marketing, I’ve found that beautifully designed ads tend to perform poorly compared to ads that are a bit on the ugly side. I would guess the same principle applies.

By: Chris Rowbury

Chris Rowbury — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:03:02 +0000

Not sure it’s about ‘weird’ stuff being around you. I’m sure I can think of a scenario where you have complete human solitude, but there’s a whole bunch of weird stuff going on around you (strong wind blowing, seagulls calling, surf crashing, crabs running across the beach, planes going overhead).

It’s the solitude bit that doesn’t work for me. I do my best creative work in a cafe or bar surrounded by strangers going about their business. In order to work something in my brain has to kick in to block out the distractions. I think it’s that mechanism that also blocks out our inner critic or voice that stops us being creative. Once we’ve blurted out our creative mess, we then need some solitude to structure and refine it.