Stay Focus Using 5 Tactics that Cultivate Creativity

I’m going to share with you five tactics that will not only get you focused, but help you stay focused.

1. Clear Your Mind
   You must enter the creative process with a clear mind.  We often walk into the conference room with a million thoughts running through our mind.  These thoughts include tasks, meetings and to-dos that are hammering down on us.  In order to find what I call the “creative zone” you are going to need to clear your mind.   This is easier than it sounds.  It can be as simple as taking a walk around the building to get in the right frame of mind, or even just taking 3 minutes to participate in a deep breathing exercise.  I’ve also seen people be so overwhelmed with items that they need to do that they just can’t focus so take a few minutes and write all those thoughts down on paper.  You’ll be surprised at how these few exercises can help to clear the mind.


2. Clarification of Objectives and Goals
   You’ve cleared our mind and are ready to dive into your creative project, but are you clear about the objectives and goals that you are trying to achieve.  This is extremely important when working with a team.  In your creative meeting write down the objectives and goals on a whiteboard so that everyone is clear on what you are trying to achieve and have accomplished before leaving that room.


3. Eliminate Distractions
   Let’s face it we are a society that is bombarded by distractions especially distractions that involve technology.  For example, since writing this article I have received two telephone calls, four text messages and 15 emails that require my attention.  Distractions are everywhere, so it’s of major importance to eliminate distractions.  If you are meeting with a team, go old school and put pen to paper, close your laptops and put your cell phones face done on the table in silent mode.  You’ll be surprised at how eliminating these distractions can help in keeping everyone focused.If you are working alone, use the same tactics.  If you need to use a program on your computer, close down the browser, turn off your email and don’t try to multi-task.  Stay focused.  You could even set a timer, forcing yourself to focus for a specific amount of time.


4. List 100 Ideas Using a Time Block Strategy
   This is one of my favorite tactics and works great within a group setting.  Set a timer for 15 minutes and come up with as many ideas as you can.  Don’t critique, don’t evaluate, and don’t censor just come up with a multitude of ideas.  Your goal is 100 ideas in 15 minutes.  After your 15 minutes are up, go through the list of ideas and see if there are any that are that “creative” idea.


5. Write, Write, Write
   Like the step above I find this tactic to also be very effective, especially if you are working through the creative process solo.  Free writing tends to help us get out of our own way and capture thoughts that can be otherwise difficult to capture.   This is because our inner critique can and often does block our originality.   Go ahead, try it – set the timer for 15 minutes, write as quickly and as honestly as you can.  Don’t get caught up in spelling and grammar, just write.

Working in marketing and advertising, I often tasked with coming up with creative ideas in a short amount of time and it can be difficult with everything going on around me, so next time you have to tap into your creative genius try the steps above.  My hope is they will help you to create the next memorable campaign that will stick in the minds of your consumers.

You can do anything if you try but do your best and make your dreams become reality - CarlDewayneJr