6. Mix it up
Step out of your comfort zone. "Do something different once a week," suggests Kent. "Think about it and learn from it." It doesn't have to be life-changing. It can be as simple as taking the bus to work instead of driving. What different things do you see? What does it make you think about?
7. Appreciate the process
"It takes a long time to develop creativity," says Kent. "You're not going to walk out of a session with the beginnings of a great novel. It's important to think about -- and learn from -- the process, not just the finished product."
8. Take a risk
If you have a tried-and-true way of doing things, try doing the opposite. "Colour outside the lines," says Kent. "See things differently. Speak up for a great idea, yours or someone else's." Not doing the safe thing could shock you into a different, more creative approach.
9. Don't fear rejection
Not every idea is going to be a great one, so the ability to laugh at ourselves is important. "Weave humour into everything you do," Kent says. "When you throw an idea out there, you risk rejection. If you take yourself less seriously, the fear of rejection lessens."
10. Reuse ideas
"All the ideas are already out there," Kent says. "It's not about coming up with something completely new. It's reinterpreting those ideas, and collaging them together." Something as simple as using a plastic trash can to hold the plastic grocery bags that are crammed under your kitchen sink -- that's creative.
You might not create a masterpiece for the ages, but by taking a risk here and there, while including time for fun, we foster creativity in our everyday lives.
"As we grow up, we become more structured, more a part of 'the system,'" Kent says. "We ask, 'What do you want me to do?' and 'What's the right answer?'" Finding ways back to the uninhibited creativity of our childhood is important to us as adults. "We can live happier, healthier lives through creativity."
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