Key question
How do ideas come about, and what helps when they don't?
Creativity cannot simply be turned on at the touch of a button. It goes through phases, requires variety, breaks and sometimes even seemingly idle time. Those who know their rhythm work in a more relaxed and creative way.
Learning objective: You understand the stages of creative processes, plan your work according to your energy levels, and have strategies in place for when ideas dry up.
Ideas take time, not just pressure.
11.1 / Phases of Creativity
Ideas mature in stages.
In 1926, Graham Wallas described four stages of the creative process:
01
Preparation
Research, understand, gather material.
02
Incubation
Gain some distance, let your mind do the work.
03
Idea
The idea appears, often unexpectedly.
04
Review
Develop and test the idea.
Incubation looks like doing nothing, but it is an essential part of the work. A walk, a night's sleep, or a different task gives your mind the space to make connections.
Downtime is part of the work.
11.2 / Energy and Rhythm
Plan according to your energy, not just the clock.
Most people have phases throughout the day with higher and lower energy levels. Conceptual work is easier during high-energy periods, while routine tasks are better suited to quieter times.
According to Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, flow – a state of deep concentration – arises particularly when a task is challenging yet achievable, and you are able to work without interruptions. Turning off notifications and setting fixed focus times can help.
Save the difficult tasks for your high-energy hours.
11.3 / When ideas dry up
Every blockage has a way out.
Creative blocks are normal and will pass. Often it helps to change your perspective: try a different medium, a different place, have a chat, break the task down into smaller steps, or deliberately gather bad ideas.
Methods from Design Thinking, such as Crazy 8s or SCAMPER, provide structure when your mind feels blank. And sometimes, taking a break is the best method.
Starting smaller breaks almost any block.
Exercise
Finding my creative rhythm
Task: Observe your creative rhythm for a week.
STEP 1
Record your energy levels three times a day on a scale from 1 to 5.
STEP 2
Record where and when ideas come to you.
STEP 3
Use the tool to schedule conceptual work during your peak hours.
STEP 4
If you hit a block, try out one of the prompts.
Results: When and where do your best ideas come to you?