How to Increase Creativity? 7 Habits That Quietly Supercharge Your Creativity

How to increase creativity? You build it through small daily habits that free your mind, spark curiosity, and inspire new ideas. Creativity rarely comes like a lightning strike. Most of the time, it grows from simple steps that you can take every day. Think of it like fitness: regular practice, not random luck, makes your creative muscles stronger. You don’t need to be an artist or a designer to be creative. Problem-solving at work, finding fun ideas for your kids, or even cooking something new all involve creativity. In this blog, we’ll explore seven practical habits that help you unlock your natural spark.

1. Take Tech-Free Walks

Walking helps the mind wander, which can lead to unexpected ideas. When you leave your phone behind, your thoughts breathe. New links form because your brain isn’t busy scrolling or replying. Famous creators like Beethoven and Steve Jobs swore by daily walks for fresh thinking. You don’t need a park or a fancy route. A quick stroll around your block can actually work. Let your mind wander and notice small details. You’ll often return with lighter thoughts and better ideas.

2. Ask Better Questions

Curiosity drives creativity. Instead of focusing only on answers, ask yourself better questions. Why does this problem exist? What would happen if I flipped the approach? These “what if” or “why not” questions help you see new angles. Kids do this naturally, but adults forget. Start with simple changes. When you face a problem at work, ask three different questions about it. You’ll often find a fresh path where you didn’t expect one.

3. Switch Up Your Workspace

Your surroundings shape your thoughts. A dull or cluttered space can block ideas. Even small tweaks can change your mood and focus. Move your desk near a window for natural light. Add a plant for a calm vibe. Try working from a café or library for a day. A new setting often triggers new connections in your brain. You don’t have to spend money. A small shuffle of furniture or even changing your chair can make a difference.

4. Play With Something New

Playing isn’t just for kids. Adults need play too, especially when stuck in routine. Play boosts creative thinking because it removes pressure. It gives your brain space to explore without fear of failure. Try a new hobby like sketching, cooking a dish you’ve never tried, or solving puzzles. Even five minutes of doodling or building with Lego can shift your mindset. The goal isn’t to create something “useful” but to let ideas flow in a relaxed way.

5. Write Down Random Thoughts

Ideas fade fast if you don’t capture them. A notebook or a note app can help. Write down random thoughts, even if they sound silly. You might look back and see patterns or sparks worth exploring. Some of the best inventions started as messy notes on scraps of paper. You don’t need perfect writing. A single word or sketch is enough to hold an idea. Keep a pen near your bed or a voice memo app on your phone for quick capture.

6. Try the “Two Worlds” Trick

One simple way to create fresh ideas is to mix two different worlds. Think about how unrelated things can work together. Many great business ideas come from this. Airbnb combined travel with spare rooms. Instagram mixed photos with social sharing. You can do the same on a small scale. Mix two hobbies, like cooking and storytelling, or blend two work methods. The mix often leads to unique, clever ideas.

7. Give Your Brain Time to Rest

Your mind needs downtime to recharge. Constant work or screens block your brain from making deeper connections. Sleep, short naps, or quiet moments often trigger the “aha” ideas that seem random. You’ve likely solved a problem in the shower or while driving. That’s your brain sorting ideas in the background. Schedule breaks in your day. Avoid multitasking and give your mind space to settle. Rest doesn’t waste time—it creates it.

Why These 7 Habits Work

Creativity grows when you mix focus with freedom. These habits do exactly that. Walks relax your body while freeing your mind. Questions push you to think beyond the obvious. New settings break stale patterns. Play, note-taking, and rest add variety and reflection. None of these habits demand big changes. They just need small, steady effort. When combined, they create a powerful cycle of ideas.

How to Increase Creativity? Make It Part of Your Day

The question “How to increase creativity?” isn’t answered by waiting for inspiration. It’s answered by daily choices. Add a quick walk, even for ten minutes. Switch where you sit once a week. Ask better questions during meetings. Write your thoughts before bed. These small steps help creativity flow naturally. You’ll find yourself solving problems faster and seeing things from new angles.

Real-Life Examples of Creative Habits

Think about J.K. Rowling. She wrote the first Harry Potter ideas on a delayed train. She carried a notebook and wrote whenever inspiration struck. Steve Jobs took walking meetings because movement sparked his best thoughts. Even chefs like Heston Blumenthal play with new flavours by mixing odd ingredients, not by sticking to old rules. All of them used habits, not luck, to build ideas.

Creativity at Work

Workplaces often forget to allow space for creative thinking. Endless meetings or emails can crush focus. Teams that want better ideas need to build creative time into their schedules. This might mean brainstorming walks, whiteboard sessions, or just silent thinking blocks. Encourage staff to share rough ideas without fear. Small cultural shifts like these can change results fast.

Creativity Beyond Work

Creativity helps outside work too. Parents find creative ways to entertain kids. Home cooks invent meals from random leftovers. Even solving personal problems needs a creative lens. These habits work in all parts of life. Once you start noticing where creativity helps, you’ll see it everywhere.

Tips to Stay Consistent

Building habits can feel hard at first. Start small. Pick one habit from the list and try it for a week. Add another once it feels natural. Set reminders if needed. Pair habits with things you already do. For example, take notes while having your morning coffee. Or walk during lunch. Over time, these habits will feel like second nature.

What Stops Creativity?

Too much screen time, fear of failure, and lack of rest are big blockers. Comparing yourself to others also kills ideas. Everyone’s creative process looks different. You don’t need to copy anyone. You just need to find what works for you. Avoid rushing or forcing ideas. Trust the process and give it space.

Final Thoughts

Creativity isn’t magic. It’s built through small steps and consistent effort. The seven habits—walks, better questions, new spaces, play, notes, mixing ideas, and rest—are easy to start. You don’t need perfect conditions or expensive tools. You just need time and willingness. Start today with one habit. See how it changes your thinking. Then add more. Over weeks, you’ll notice how creative thinking feels more natural and enjoyable.

Want to build lasting creative habits and unlock your full potential? Enrol in our online Personal Development Courses at Open Learning Academy. Learn practical tools to increase creativity and improve how you think, work, and lead.