57 Questions to Spark Your Creativity
Creativity is not typically something we can switch on or even switch off. That’s the beauty of the creative muse. However, when we need a quick creative catalyst or energy boost – open ended questions can be the perfect spark to get our right-brain juices flowing. So for those “Ugh, I’m STUCK!” moments, bookmark this post as your personal destuckification reference.
Where would I like to explore (anywhere in the world and beyond!)?
With an afternoon all to myself, what would I do with it?
What is my favorite spot in this town/city/state?
How does the weather inspire me?
What is the most recent small act of kindness I’ve witnessed between two strangers? How did that make me feel?
If I could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
What is my favorite genre of art? Now I should try to find a new artist within that genre and let them inspire my next steps.
Who should I ask to recommend their most recent favorite reads?
What is distracting me and how do I create a distraction-free environment?
What can I do to step outside my comfort zone today?
How can I take a different route than usual?
Do I need to declutter my mind to move forward?
What piece of my everyday routine can I challenge myself to improve?
Have I complimented my own creativity recently?
Am I relaxed?
What can I learn from little kids?
Imagine a beautiful finished product. How can I work backwards to get there?
What feeling do I want to elicit in my audience?
Are there any stones unturned in my current projects?
Have I played in the dirt recently?
Do I need help moving forward? How can I ask family/friends for that support?
What magazines can I check out that might spur me along?
What can I do to take a break from work pressures?
If I could create something with an unlimited budget, what would the end result be?
Am I organized in a sufficient manner to take on my next project?
How can I make the everyday more colorful?
What’s missing from my portfolio/home/studio/office?
What is one new activity I can do with family or friends?
If I explored a sunken ship, what would I hope to find?
What animal would I like to experience being for a day?
Think about kindergarten activities… How can I use my everyday at five years old to inspire me today?
When am I happiest?
What small purchases make me most excited?
What was my last home project and what’s on my to-do list?
Have I looked at old photographs recently?
What is my favorite family vacation/staycation memory?
What is the scope of what I hope to accomplish next? How can I break this down into smaller pieces?
Would I rather have complete freedom in creativity or a jumping board to get started?
In the past, what constraints have sparked my creativity?
What is one thing I wish people knew about me?
How can I let go of any creative pressure I am feeling?
How can I start off in simplicity and let the details come later?
Should I start out with a blueprint?
What would I do on a cross-country road-trip and why?
What areas of the world have inspired my family/friends to create or take action?
What is one material item of mine I could give away to charity right now? How was the process of determining that?
How can I wash away my own criticisms?
Can I place myself into a new environment to brainstorm?
How can I feed my creative muscles? What are they hungry for?
How can I take a kaleidoscope of all my experiences and use bits and pieces to drive new creative outlets in my life?
What does my dream creative studio-space look like?
If I lived in a black and white world, what one thing would I make color?
What is my current creative attitude?
What are my current curiosities of the world around me?
Do I have a way to log my daily inspirations? If not, how can I begin to keep mental and physical notes of these?
How can I focus on one part of my project for now?
Am I thinking too much? I shall act now and think later.
Related "ripples" you might enjoy:
- Creativity and Crazy Wild Dreams
- Pen & Paper: The Power of Questions
- Five Essential Questions to Ask Yourself Daily
- Ideas Worth Spreading: 5 Videos to Spark Your Creative Genius
- Inspired By…
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on Monday, March 29th, 2010 at 2:11 pm and is filed under Creativity & Inspiration.
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Wow! I just tweeted this because it’s such an amazing list. What a great way to brainstorm. Thanks for this!
Lyn
http://lynsouth.com
Twitter: carolynr
says:
Thank you so much, Lyn! Happy brainstorming :).
Thanks for this post Carolyn, I will definitely bookmark it :)
I usually listen to my music really loud ;) when I need a creative boost, it tends to work sometimes (the music seems to take my mind off of everything else) :)
Twitter: carolynr
says:
Music is such a great creative spark – a must have!
Twitter: benspoont
says:
Love this. full of great questions to ask oneself
Twitter: carolynr
says:
I know – I’m all questioned out!
Fabulous….enough questions to savor a different one each week for a year!
Tammy´s last blog ..featured in a Gallery on Flickr!
Thanks for posting this. Glad I stumbled upon it and ready to spend some serious time answering these. I’ll certainly be a regular visitor.
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