You have the permission to be creative. 

The truth is that it is probably more of a responsibility than it is permission.

I know that I have to get up and remind myself of this from time to time. Creative work is work that will at times leave you feeling a little empty. When we get there we have to get our swagger back. So how do you do that? As you and I both know, ideas don’t just show up like lightbulbs over our heads. Creativity is a LOT more muscle than it is magic.

But ideas are all around us. They are waiting and wanting to be discovered. Today part of being creative is being alert and setting yourself, your volunteers, and your teammates up to capture ideas and turn them into momentum. But where do you start?

• FREAK OUT! Stop being so safe. Lose the safety net. Go for something audacious.
• Create in community – Don’t be a lone ranger. Input & diversity help us be better creatively.
• Document every idea – Write it down. Take a picture. Don’t take ideas for granted. When we don’t capture them they will fly away.
• Change the Canvas – Find a new spot. Go offsite. Work in a different office. Visit a coffee shop. Change the canvas to change the perspective.
• Listen – Allow music to create atmosphere. Change it. Turn it up. Listen to something you know and something new.
• Talk – Talk to people in different departments or organizations. Get new and varying perspectives.
• Re-frame – Find new ways to look at your project or ideas. Redefine your challenge from time to time.
• Go Back To The Question – Why are we doing this? What are we trying to accomplish? How will this be used? Where will this be used?
• Change The Routine – Change something in your routine. Drive a different way to work. Use a different entrance. Sit in a different seat.
• Sprint – Write down as many ideas as possible in 5 minutes.
• Pump The Gas – When you face resistance ask how you can make something better out of this situation?
• Beat the Early Bird – Be the first one in the office. Arrive before anyone else and get a start on the day that changes your perspective.
• Readers R Leaders – Read a blog (you already are), read a book, read a magazine.
• Trust What You Know – You have refined your instincts so trust them.
• Get Up – Be willing to get up and walk around every 20 minutes to keep perspectives fresh.
• Don’t Be A Ball Hog – Invite your boss and co-workers into conversations about projects and ideas.
• Press Pause – Take a break from ideas or projects in order to see more clearly what you actually are creating.

This is just a starter list. What have you found that works best for you?