If the term “creative mindset” seems like an abstract concept, that’s probably because it is. There’s no solid definition of what a creative mindset actually is, and there’s no real blueprint that answers how to develop a creative mindset, or how to become an expert at having one.
Of course, that’s not to say there aren’t helpful tips and guidelines on the subject. But in order to explain, I have to get a little less creative and a lot more logical.
Hear me out…
Okay, So What Is A Creative Mindset?
I know I just said there’s no definition of a creative mindset, but I’m still going to try to break it down.
Creativity means to create (or recreate) something new. And mindset is what it sounds like — your mindset.
So, a creative mindset basically translates to how you uniquely create something in a way that only you can!
Great News — We’re All A Little Bit Creative!
We’re often told that there are two kinds of people in this world — left-brained people or right-brained people. Logical, or creative.
The truth is no person is just one or the other, because you have to be a little creative to be logical, and you have to be a little logical to be creative.
Every day you practise being creative, even if you don’t realise it. Have you ever added your own twist to a family recipe or rearranged your bedroom furniture to better suit your taste? If so, congrats. You were practising creativity, and there are plenty of ways to nurture your creativity moving forward.
Why (And How) You Should Nurture Your Creative Mindset
Most careers call for at least a little bit of creativity, and a career in photography calls for a lot of it.
Every photo tells a story, and there’s a very large chunk of that story you as the person behind the lens is responsible for helping to tell.
But figuring out how to get into a creative mindset can take time, and being great at it comes with a lot of practice. One of the best tools you can use for nurturing creativity is consistency. Be consistent in your consumption of educational materials on creativity. Be consistent in practising your craft. Be consistent in trying new things. And be consistent in having fun with it.
5 Top Tips To Build Your Creative Mindset & Become An Even Better Photographer!
Instead of asking yourself “how to develop your creative mindset”, try asking yourself “what is nurturing creativity?” Remember, you already have a creative mindset whether you realise it or not. Now, it’s all about really sharpening that tool so you can stab into excellent ideas.
So, how can you cultivate a creative mindset for business? Take a look!
First, Know (Or Discover) Yourself
How do you nurture creativity and imagination? It all starts with knowing who you are.
Pay attention to your unique thoughts and ideas, even if you don’t think they’re very creative at first.
Remember, one of the biggest assets to your business is YOU. It’s the way you think, the ideas you have, and how you execute those ideas that make you unique to everyone else around you.
Learn From Those Who Went Before You
Failure is a huge part of success, but the failures don’t always have to be yours. Learn from those who went before you and embrace not only their success stories but also their stories of failure.
It’s also important to note that creativity often means recreating something else, so allow yourself to be inspired by artists and photographers you admire!
When you take bits and pieces of what others have created and mesh them with your own tastes, you’re further cultivating a creative mindset.
Embrace Those Rough Ideas
An idea will rarely come to you fully developed. Ideas often have to be polished before they’re ready to be implemented.
For example, an author writing a book is not going to publish their first draft. It takes a number of edits and rewrites before that book is ready to hit the shelves.
Practice Self Discipline
Discipline is incredibly important when it comes to the cultivation of your creative mindset, and it goes hand-in-hand with being consistent.
Work on your craft as often as possible. Sharpen your ideas. Be consistent and appreciate the mistakes you make along the way.
Believe in Yourself And Don’t Give Up!!
Yes, it’s cliche but it’s the truth — so sorry, not sorry. Part of developing and nurturing your creative mindset involves having a lot of faith in yourself, even when you feel like you straight-up suck at whatever it is you’re trying to accomplish.
Let’s Get Creative Together!
Developing a creative mindset took me a long time, and if I’m being honest, I’ll forever be working to nurture that creativity, and so should you!
So, how do you unlock your creative mind? I’m here to help. I LOVE working with like-minded people who are eager to grow and get better. I offer tons of great workshops and even 1-to-1 coaching, so get in touch and let’s get creative together!
