The New Oxford American Dictionary defines creativity as “the use of the imagination, or original ideas…” and while the use of original ideas may seem like an easy task, you and I both know how difficult it can really be.

Simply coming up with creative ideas can be extremely hard and time consuming, especially for - but not limited to - creative professionals; finding advice on fueling creativity is almost just as hard.

That’s why I have compiled this list of the top 10 ways to fuel your creativity. Use these methods whenever your creative juices are running low, and do your best to follow as many of the points as you can.

10. Carry a notepad with you. Creativity strikes when you least expect it, and when it does, you’ll need to be prepared. Get into the habit of carrying around a small notebook and a pen, or use your smart phone or other device to record creative ideas when they hit you. Even if the idea seems pointless at the time, having it written down may help you in the future when you are struggling to come up with creative ideas. Don’t say you’ll get a notepad tomorrow, buy one right now and find a way to take it with you everywhere you go.

9. Give yourself a break. Being able to write down creative ideas whenever you get them is a great start to fueling your creativity, but - if you’re like me - that isn’t going to be enough. In order to fuel your creativity you need to take time to relax and find creativity in everyday life. If you feel overwhelmed or stressed, your creative juices will be running slowly; but if you feel relaxed and comfortable, your mind will be more open to new, creative ideas.

8. Jolt your thinking. Another great way to fuel your creativity is to do what Chuck Green refers to as “jolt” thinking. It’s a technique that allows you to draw creative ideas from everything else around you by applying restrictions to your thinking. Here’s how you do it: when you need an idea simply close your eyes, turn around or change your perspective, open your eyes and then the first thing you see when you open your eyes is going to be your topic; try to come up with a creative idea related that incorporates the item - or the purpose of the item. Jolted thinking is based on the simple fact that freedom often hinders creativity.

7. Exercise your brain. Your brain, just like your muscles, needs to be worked out from time to time; exercising your brain allows your creativity levels to be increased - like muscles growing bigger. The best way to exercise your brain is to read or have strenuous discussions. Letting your brain get lazy by watching a lot of TV or sitting in front of the computer all day makes it weak, and your creativity levels will take a bit hit. Working out your brain from time to time will help you to come up with better, more original and creative ideas when you need them most.

6. Ask a lot of questions. Asking questions - even ones completely unrelated to what you are doing - has been proven to fuel creativity. You may not realize it, but when you ask yourself questions you are creating a mindmap and sorting through thousands of ideas with each question you ask. Asking a lot of questions means a lot of mindmapping, and a lot of mindmapping equals a lot of new creative ideas to work with. So don’t ever be afraid to ask questions, in-fact: ask a lot of questions every chance you get.

5. Pay attention to what others are doing. A great way to fuel your creativity is by finding inspiration in other’s work. That doesn’t mean you sit, evaluate, and duplicate other people’s work; it simply means that you need to pay attention to what others are doing with their work, and watch the changes they make over time. Often you will be able to find patterns in other’s creativity that will really fuel your own. A great example is the change in web design: web pages use to be full of animated images and tons of text and sound effects, now simpler, cleaner web pages are the trendy thing. Don’t copy other’s creativity, but do pay attention to what other’s are doing and try to find ways to improve on their work.

4. Don’t settle for one idea. Another great way to fuel your creativity is to not settle for just one idea when it strikes you. Instead, mull over multiple ideas, write them down in your notepad, ask questions about each idea, and expand each idea as much as you possibly can. By having a lot of creative ideas, your solution is bound to be a great one. As Linus Pauling once said: “The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas.”

3. Be random. Creativity is best fueled when it is controlled by random inhibitions - which is why there is a big misconception about drugs fueling creativity. The way you can place random inhibitions on your creativity - other than by jolting your thinking, as mentioned on point 8 - is by using a random idea generator. Either flipping through a dictionary to find random words, or using this neat online idea generator, and then trying to come up with as many ideas linked to the random topic. By limiting your creativity slightly to something completely random, you are really fueling it.

2. Be confident. One of the biggest struggles people have when trying to fuel their creativity - and one issue I have had big problems with as a creative professional - is being confident in your creative abilities. Confidence is necessary to creating remarkable ideas. If you don’t think you can do it, you won’t. Having confidence in you creative abilities will allow you to really think outside the box, and accept ideas that may originally seem too risky (remember, if you aren’t willing to take creative risks, you’re not really being creative).

1. Quit worrying about risks. While having confidence is necessary to creating really great ideas, using that confidence to jump right into new ideas is just as important. Creating unbelievably remarkable ideas can only be achieved by being confident in your abilities, taking risks, and jumping right in. The Wright brothers first flight is a great example of jumping right in to bold ideas. Don’t worry about the risks too much, any creative idea is almost always worth any repercussions.

That completes the list. If you are having trouble with your creativity, resort back to this list for help and inspiration. And if you want to get more useful and remarkeable creative help, you can subscribe to Creative Something by clicking on the link below, or in the right side column on this page.

Photo by Jeffrey Lindsey.

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Creativity is all about coming up with new, innovative ideas, right?

Actually, coming up with new ideas is only half of what creativity is about. Another - huge - part of creativity is being able to identify which ideas are great, and which are not so great. But being able to identify which ideas won’t stink is just as difficult as coming up with new ideas; unless, of course, you know what to look for in your creative ideas.

Looking for specific traits in your creative ideas is necessary to sniffing out ideas that won’t stink. And even though all creative ideas have the potential to be truly great, some ideas are better than others right off the bat. Here are a few traits you should look for when trying to identify ideas that won’t stink:

The original idea begs for further investigation. Whenever you come up with an idea that is easy to ignore - or move on from - then you know you have an idea that will eventually stink. But when you come up with an idea that just keeps nagging you at the back of the head, go with your instincts and work with the idea. Ideas that beg further investigation immediately are ideas that will intrigue others, and that means success on multiple levels.

The idea makes something easier for somebody. If you look at some of the biggest and best ideas of all time, you’ll recognize something they all have in common: they made something easier for someone. When you think up an idea that makes something easier for somebody, it’s best to run with that idea. At least somebody will appreciate it.

The idea seems so simple. Creative ideas that won’t stink are ones that should have been thought up years ago. When you look at paintings, machines, books, and websites that make you slap your head and say “duh”, you are looking at ideas that are great because they just make sense. If your creative idea appears to just make sense - and it seems so simple - then go with it. Simple ideas are the ones that people relate to and, as such, don’t stink. Don’t think that your idea is too simple, it’s safe to bet that it’s an idea that won’t stink.

The idea doesn’t create more problems. At the base of creativity is problem solving; ideas that create problems are ideas that stink. Any idea that doesn’t create more problems is probably a great idea, and if the idea doesn’t create problems and it matches other attributes listed here, chances are that it is a truly remarkable idea.

The idea is recognizable by others. As creative beings, we often think highly of ideas we come up with on our own… even if they stink. Getting other people’s feedback on ideas is a foolproof way to identify whether or not an idea will stink. If others can’t recognize the potential of your idea, it is most likely a stinky idea. But if other people look at, or hear about, your idea and recognize its value, it is definitely a great idea. Don’t be afraid to share your ideas with people you trust, just be weary of people who might want to take your ideas as their own.

The idea is expandable. A lot of ideas are just that: ideas. They never become anything more because they don’t have ways to expand. Making sure that your idea is expandable is a good way to make sure it won’t stink. If you have the means to make your idea a reality, then it’s a good idea. Otherwise, it may be an stinky idea that will never become anything more than just a stinky idea.

Being able to identify which creative ideas are great, and which ideas stink, is clearly valuable to you as a creative person. Keep in mind that these are only a few ways to identify an idea that won’t stink, and - as mentioned before - all ideas have potential to be great. If your ideas beg for further investigation, if they make something easier than it previously was, if they seem to be simple, if they don’t cause more problems, if they are expandable, and if other people recognize value in them, then your ideas aren’t stinky; however, if your idea doesn’t fit with any of the traits mentioned here, you may want to try out a different idea or approach.

Original photo by Mark Kelly.

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Some of the best ways to stay creative in the workplace.

7. Surround yourself with motivation. Customizing your office space is underrated. The guys over at one of the fastest growing companies in the world know that your work environment plays a major roll on your creativity at work; I’m talking, of course, about Google. One look at the Google offices and you’ll realize just how influential toys and other creative inspiration in your work space can be. Surround yourself with colorful, creative things and you will subconsciously feel a bit more free to explore your creativity.

6. Don’t make creativity into work. Avoid turning your creativity into an element of work. Work means something is at stake (often your job) and can really restrict your creativity. Applying rules and restrictions to your creativity through work isn’t good. As Mattias Konradsson once said: “The trick is to teach yourself to ignore rules, conventions, and must-be’s. If you’re creating art, just doodle. If you’re writing, just scribble. If you’re a lawyer, change occupation (source: A List Apart).”

5. Do something different today. Instead of walking into the office and going through your usual work routine, try something different. Something different can be as simple as talking to coworkers about their weekend before even sitting down at your desk, or drawing (not writing) goals for the day on a piece of paper. Do something different - something new - on a daily basis. D. Keith Robinson said it best when he said: “Trying something you’ve never done will almost certainly get you thinking in new, more creative ways (source: Graphic Define).”

4. Get plenty of rest. You have probably heard this a million times before, but trust me when I tell you that getting plenty of rest will help you greatly through-out your day. When your mind and body are tired, they are not going to cooperate with your commands. Your mind will not have enough energy and focus to create new ideas, let alone work, if it is tired. Take a short power nap on your lunch break, or - if you can afford to - take the rest of the day off and get some sleep at home. Your boss won’t mind the extra boost of energy you’ll have the next day, and your creativity will be running at full throttle if you have had enough rest.

3. Quit worrying about finding inspiration. When your boss puts you on a new project, or when you have to come up with a new idea for the business, you’ll want inspiration. And when that inspiration isn’t coming, the best thing to do is not worry about it. Cartoonist, and professional blogger, Hugh MacLeod hit the nail on the head when he wrote: “[Don’t] fret too much about “writer’s block”, “artist’s block” or whatever. If you’re looking at a blank piece of paper and nothing comes to you, then go do something else. Writer’s block is just a symptom of feeling like you have nothing to say, combined with the rather weird idea that you SHOULD feel the need to say something (source: Gaping Void).”

2. Pamper yourself. Sometimes creativity is fueled simply by giving one’s self all the attention. Taking a few minutes to do whatever it is you want for yourself (like buying that new TV or finishing up a project for yourself) is a great way to change your frame of mind. However, setting aside a few minutes for yourself during the work day may be difficult to do. Ask your boss if you can take 10 minutes for your own projects/whatever, and they may just let you get away with it. And if you work for yourself then there isn’t a problem with setting some time aside for yourself. Go ahead, take a break and pamper yourself a bit. You deserve it (and it will help you stay creative).

1. Find the time when you are most creative. Our body and brains are remarkable machines that run on cycles; and just as there is a good time to sleep, there is a good time for creativity. Identifying when you are most creative can benefit you greatly and help you stay creative through-out the day. “Find out when you’re at your creative best, and start using that time to your advantage; save your least creative time to do the mundane administrative aspects of your job (source: A List Apart).”

Work often hinders creativity, but by surrounding yourself with motivation, not making creativity into work, doing something different everyday, getting plenty of rest, not worrying about finding inspiration, spending some time on yourself, and finding the time when you are most creative, you can easily stay creative in the workplace everyday.

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Productivity is one thing that we all strive to be excellent at. Although we all have different ways of being productive, sometimes the simplest things can make us more productive than ever.

Here are 50 simple ways (that we often overlook) to stay on top of our productivity game. I have found these ways to be helpful and hopefully it will help you out as well in one way or the other,

50. Stay focused on what you are doing.

49. Utilize and divide your time for each task in hand.

48. Analyze the outcome of your effort and decide accordingly how much time you need to spend.

47. Take a break.

46. Spend time with your loved ones and refresh your mind.

45. Share ideas with others and soak their criticism.

44. Keep your home office out of sight from your bedroom.

43. Invest in comfortable workspace furniture.

42. Meditate and relax your mind.

41. Are you a day person or night? Plan accordingly so you can get the maximum output from yourself.

40. Work slow but steady.

39. Ask for help when needed.

38. De-clutter your workspace.

37. Back up your data.

36. Keep a wrist massager next to the computer.

35. Check your email not more than twice a day.

34. Exercise.

33. Use the morning air or evening breeze to cool off your mind.

32. Set goals not a goal and work accordingly.

31. Have everything you need ready for whatever you are working on.

30. Have stationeries like pen, paper ready. Although you might be using the computer you never know when you are going to need them.

29. Shut the room door to block distraction.

28. Set limits for yourself.

27. Plan a to do list for each day and follow.

26. Read books on subjects that interests you to refresh your mind.

25. Walk, do not try to run with your project.

24. Stay informed on current news. Sometimes these can be a great source of information on something you are working on.

23. Instead of thinking why your life is so hard, think how you can change it for better.

22. Find others that might share similar interest to work with you.

21. Do something else every 30 to 40 minutes to refresh your mind and body.

20. Take a nice warm bath, it’s amazing what it can do to you.

19. Use a table lamp instead of overhead lighting to keep you focused on one thing.

18. Do not take phone calls unless it is related to your productivity for that particular project.

17. Divide your time between family and projects.

16. Give more time to family and get more peace of mind.

15. Keep it cool.

14. Don’t panic, it won’t happen overnight.

13. Find what others have done in related fields and learn.

12. Ask yourself questions, lot of them.

11. Let everybody at home know you will be working between so and so time.

10. Do not stress.

9. Love what you are doing.

8. Be Passionate about what you are doing.

7. Give yourself credit for what you do.

6. Look in the mirror and compliment yourself, just say “God, you are good looking !”

5. Build confidence in yourself.

4. Keep a positive attitude.

3. Forget about what others are doing, you do it your way.

2. Productivity lies within you. Know yourself first.

1. Read > Learn > Ask and Apply! Stay productive.

There it is! Simple productivity tips for you that I have found useful for myself. Feel free to add more to this list and share some of your ways on staying productive through your comments.