This year, I’ve made a conscious choice to do things differently in both life and business.
Though I work in a creative industry, I haven’t always had much of a chance to slow down, take a moment, and make something with my own two hands— to create something without any expectation of the outcome. But believe me, this can be thrilling.
This past Tuesday night, I had the opportunity to participate in my first “paint night,” event. This is a chance for “artists,” of all skills levels join each other for a step-by-step lesson in painting their own masterpiece.
If you know me, you know I more apt to spend a weekday evening getting ahead on work or making sure to get in some much needed family time. But inspiration comes in surprising ways, so I decided to give it a try.
If you haven’t been to a “paint night,” here are the rules: No negativity. No self-criticism. Drink. Eat. Laugh. All you start out with is a blank canvas and a dream, but by the end of the night you’ve shared in this great opportunity to giggle, put brush to canvas, and let loose a little bit. Stepping outside your ordinary routine and making the effort to have FUN can be a challenge for busy professionals.
But giving yourself that permission to become completely absorbed in a new task or a new art form, really recharges your mental, emotional and creative energies for the day to day. Our greatest opportunities for success often stem from the most novel and challenging experiences.
Here are some simple ways to step outside the box and reignite your creative flame:
Get Moving
Find a new sport you haven’t tried or hit up that new rock climbing gym. Finding time to be active is a sure fire way to increase joy and drum up inspiration in the day to day.
Make Music
We all secretly wanted to be a rock star growing up. So why not indulge that urge a bit and take a guitar lesson or two? Love to sing? Join your church choir or heck, start your own band. Music is a well-known form or therapy and a fun way to find a new ways to see the world.
Explore the Natural World
Get outside. Travel to a new and far off land or take a new route along your favorite trail. Observing the beauty and majesty of the natural world is an age-old source of enjoyment and a wellspring for innovative and creative thought.
