Whether you’re writing a book, an article, a blog post, a podcast script, website copy, a course or just plain sending an email, tips for creative flow can help you write faster, more effectively, inspiringly and have more fun!
Without some strategies for creative flow, you may get stuck, feel uninspired or end up staring at a blank page or screen for far too long. Think of these 9 tips, then, as your preventative and sure-cure.
Try my 9 tips for creative flow and see what happens!
Tener’s Tips for Creative Flow
- Take a breath or a walk: Sitting contributes to stagnancy. A Stanford study proves what many of us already know: walking increases creativity. Get up and move your body. Or take a deep breath. Either will bring more blood to your brain, helping you think more clearly and stimulating fresh thoughts.
- Write down your vision or goal: Rather than start with writing the email, article, podcast script or marketing copy, start by writing what you want your reader to experience. This will focus you, plus it’s much easier to write! Once you’re already writing, it’s easy to transition from vision to actual project writing.
- Try a quick prompt! Spark creativity by writing about something seemingly unrelated. Just moving that writing muscle can get you writing; when you switch to the project, you’ll already be in a state of flow. A prompt or prompts journal can get you started.
- Connect with your muse: In Tener’s classes, she has participants write or type “hello muse” at the top of their page. “The muse is our creative source. Everyone experiences it in their own unique way. It may feel like creativity flows from outside of you, or from the deepest recesses of your being. There’s no one way to connect with what I call ‘the muse.’ But when you acknowledge that creative source, you can experience a shift in creativity and productivity—sometimes instantly.
- Be playful: The inner muse responds to play. Put a smile on your face. Watch a funny YouTube video or your favorite TikTok jokester. Then turn to writing.
- Be grateful: Your relationship with your creative self is like any other relationship. The more you feed and nourish it, the greater its response. Feel gratitude for the writing you’ve done in the past, or your own creativity. It will serve to support your creative flow. Studies even show that positive emotions like gratitude stimulate creative problem solving.
- Journal: Journal first thing in the morning by jotting down any dreams you remember, capturing your emotions upon waking, or writing in a prompts journal like the award winning The Joy of Writing Journal: Spark Your Creativity in 8 Minutes a Day.
- Tell yourself a new story: If you’ve been telling yourself, “I can’t write” or “I’m stuck,” you may just need to shift gears. Acknowledge that this belief is keeping you stuck and choose a new belief and mantra – “I know I can write,” “I often enjoy writing,” or “My creativity starts flowing as soon as I take a deep breath.” One of my mentors, Eric Maisel, PhD, author and editor of many books on creativity, teaches that all resistance comes from anxiety. Identify the anxious thoughts and you can replace them with those that serve your creative endeavors.
- Smell something yummy! Inhale some essential oils like Rosemary, which, according to studies, stimulates beta waves (involved in both awakened states and conscious thoughts) or Menthol, which enhances memory and increases alertness.
What Next?
Here are a few options. Try one or more:
- Print out this list and post it by your computer or in a writing nook for future reference and easy access whenever needed!
- Get your free copy of 12 Ways Journaling Can Spark Your Creativity, Support Your Writing and Transform Your Life.
- Get your copy of The Joy of Writing Journal: Spark Your Creativity in 8 Minutes a Day and develop an easy journaling practice to add creative momentum to your day.
- Check out my new course “8 Minutes to Spark Your Creativity” a 30-day program to get you writing with ease consistently. (Just $37 and the course begins August 1)
