Monday, May 28, 2012

Creative thinking -- and a new printable

Where do your creative ideas come from?  I don't mean where in the world or where in your psyche, but specifically, where do you tend to be when insight strikes?  What time of day is it?  Are you at home, in the car, out in the garden?

I've been reading Jonah Lehrer's book Imagine: How Creativity Works and I'm only a few chapters in, but there's already so much I love about it.  He writes that creativity is hard-wired in the human brain, that we're all creative.  Which I love.  You and I, we all have the innate capacity for amazing feats of insight and creativity.

He also writes about the conditions that stimulate creative thinking and there's one section early on, about 30 pages in, in which he writes about the importance of relaxation to creative insight.  He gives a few examples of times when people tend to have creative insights:  in the shower, first thing in the morning (before the bustle of the day begins) and when we're happy.  He relates all of this back to relaxation.  Those are the times or activities during which we tend to feel relaxed.

As I was reading, I was thinking, wouldn't it be great to have a sheet of paper handy during those times or in those places to record some of the awesome insights that float to the surface?  You know, like writers or inventors who keep a pad by their bedside or in their pockets when they're out and about.

So.

If you know me at all, you know what comes next.  I started thinking about a new printable.  In my mind's eye, I envisioned a sheet of paper with tear offs to write down ideas and an envelope in which to keep them.  Because it's important to write this stuff down before we forget, but also because sometimes we can't make use of our awesome insights right away.  We need somewhere to store them until we can put them into action.

Why not an Idea Repository?

With a few suggestions thrown in for good measure . . .

And a few places to get you started . . .

And a few blank frames so that you can put pages in the places where you're at your most creative . . .

It's a simple printable, but ultimately I really like the idea of thinking about the conditions, times, and places in which we are most creative.  I like the idea of having a tangible, physical thing lying around (much like a notebook, but with happy borders, of course) to take note of those creative moments and how, when, and where they occur -- so that we're paying attention when inspiration strikes.  For me, a few tear-offs in close proximity to the shower is definitely must.  And, now that I think about it, maybe a few in the glove compartment, as well.  :)

If you'd like to have your own Idea Repository, you'll find it here (colour-free) and here (colourful).

Tell me, friends, where (or when) do you think your most creative thoughts?

hugs,
Christie

18 comments:

  1. My most creative thoughts usually come to me right before bed! I've been trying to remember to keep a notepad handy so I don't forget them (even if I don't end up ever getting around to putting them in action)

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    1. Hi Samantha-Anne! Me, too! My last conscious thought before dozing off is usually, "I should totally remember that . . . " And then it's gone. Hope you have the chance now to write it all down. :)

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  2. So incredibly ingenious!

    Not sure that I have a hot spot for where creative thoughts percolate but inevitably, never where the paper and pen are. Thank you for helping solve the problem!

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    1. Hi Scribbler! You'll just have to have pens and little scraps of paper in every nook and cranny. :) Hugs!

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  3. Wow, that is very cool.

    My most creative thoughts come just as I am falling asleep. Sadly, I capture so few of them because of that. :(

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    1. Hi Silverlotus! Totally know what you mean. Maybe a pen and paper by the bedside will make a difference? I'd love to know. :)

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  4. Wow, this is great! And what an interesting subject. I do most of my creative thinking in bed before I fall asleep. But if I'm stressed and have something major on my mind my creativity shuts right down until I'm feeling back to normal.

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    1. Hi Susan! We all seem to be late night creatives. :) I'm with you on the effect of stress -- an idea killer. Wishing you relaxing moments ahead!

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  5. i have my most creative thoughts during and after my Bible study...something about studying God's Word and praying to Him just makes me feel so alive!

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    1. Hi Agravette! Thanks so much for stopping by! Wishing you continued creativity. :)

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  6. Great idea! Many thanks for sharing :)

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  7. Love this! I too often don't have the pen/paper handy when I need it. I do carry an "Everything Journal" that has my entire life in it ... but yours are MUCH cuter!

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    1. Hi Naomi! I'd love a peek at your Everything Journal. :) Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  8. Thank you so much for making your journal pages available. I had 15 teacher gifts to give this year, and I used your pages to put together journals for each of them. Hope you don't mind, I linked to you from my blog (duzzit.blogspot.com). Your pages are so pretty and insightful. All the teachers LOVED them!

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  9. Lately, Pinterest is my Creative Repository at present. I just love that I can organize to many amazing inspirations in one place, and go there when I need a push to create something amazing. My other place is just my journal. I love to capture quotes there, as well as glimpses of thoughts that float by.

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