Uninspired? Try These 21 Creative Tips

"The creative process is a process of surrender, not control" - Julia Cameron

As a writer, photographer, and musician I am continuously looking for new ways to become more creative. Each day pursuing new ideas and looking for inspiration wherever it can be found. Some of us have a more creative side than others but that tiny spark of creativity waiting to be fueled with a blazing fire of inspiration is inside of all of us no matter how dim it seems. After all, you create your reality and the world around you. To deny the fact that you're not a very creative person is just imprudent. Once we can get that synchronized flow of creativeness going, our creative ventures are an endless journey of awe and exhilaration.

Here is a list of 21 tips and techniques of how to become more creative that have worked best for me:

1. Write Down Ideas as Soon as They Come

Always carry around a small notebook and pen. You never known when an idea will pop into your head or when something will inspire you.

2. Never Consume and Produce Simultaneously

Consuming ideas and producing creativeness only distracts you from the creative process. Keep them separate.

3. Avoid Perfection

Perfectionism is creativity's worst enemy. Don't think about how it sounds or what it looks like while you're doing it. Just get the idea out there and then later on you can always work on it and make it better.

4. Stay Focused

Don't let the distractions of the world allow you to lose focus from your creative goals. Turn off the TV, disconnect the internet, and shut off your phone.

5. Create For Yourself

Who cares about what other people will say or think about what your doing. This will only hinder your creativeness. When you create something, do it for no one but yourself.

6. Meditate

You would be surprised how much inspiration and how many ideas will come to you in the stillness of your mind.

7. Learn From Criticism

Don't get angry or discourage when someone tells you what you need to improve on. Listen and learn from the people who critic your work.

8. Patience

You can't expect a masterpiece overnight. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, persistence, and most importantly, patience.

9. Accept the Ups and Downs

Even the greatest artists in the world have their ups and downs. Some days you could write an entire book while other days you can't even write a sentence. Accept it, move on and search for some inspiration.

10. Read

Reading will give you a vast amount of ideas. Read the most varied and wild things that you can get your hands on. Most importantly, read the stuff that you disagree with.

11. Change Your Perspective

Shake things up and look at the world in new ways. What's the world look like through the eyes of another person, animal, or even a bug.

12. Rest

Don't overdue it and make sure to get plenty of rest. A day of relaxing is a great way to rejuvenate your mind.

13. Dream

Our brains are in their most creative state when we are dreaming. Start paying more attention to your dreams. You will be surprised how many ideas you will have when you wake up.

14. Curiosity

Never stop asking questions and searching for answers about the magnificent world around you.

15. Set Up A Creative Environment

Wherever you are trying to create new things you want to make sure and set the mood in your environment. Always keep it clean and peaceful. It also helps to put up pictures and posters on the walls of the people who inspire you the most.

16. Don't Force It

My best creations were never forced and seemed to just flow out of me as if I was channeling it from somewhere else.

17. Teach Others

Teaching others will inevitably make you grow and become more creative.

18. Break the Routine

Do something that you wouldn't normally do and break old ritual-routine that you are accustomed to.

19. Listen

There is so much around us to learn from and get inspiration if we stop talking and thinking and just listen.

20. Experience Life

The greatest ideas come from actual experiences. Get out there and get your feet wet. Don't be afraid to let loose and just play.

21. Just Do It

Stop waiting, whining, crying, making excuses, procrastination, and reading this article - get out there and just start creating.