Build That Creative Muscle

Creativity isn't what people often think. It's not a bolt of lightning that just kind of comes to you. Certainly, that can happen, but creativity is more like a muscle. The more you build that skill, the stronger it gets. Strong creativity builds a more flexible mind, too.  And as attorneys, well, considering multiple options to address a legal matter is key. Creativity helps you find solutions that you may not have seen before.  Here are some tips to build your creativity. And enjoy everyday life more, too.

Observe Your Surroundings

We are all busy, right? Focus on that to-do list and checking stuff off is the daily mantra. Be sure to slow down during the day or night and simply observe the world around you to boost creativity. It can be as simple as looking around your surroundings while at a stoplight. Take in random moments. Breathe and just see what's happening around you. Relaxing your mind from the constant running list or dialogue is key. Your mind needs to be free for a bit to develop creativity. 

Schedule some time in your week to just slow down. Instead of watching the next episode of the series you are enjoying, take a walk. Or just sit quietly in a park or in any convenient outdoor space. The key is to let your mind be free and just observe.

Get Moving

Movement is medicine. Not only for the body but for the mind and spirit too. Moving your body frees your mind and gets those endorphins pumping, too. The impact of working at a desk and not having as much physical movement limits our exposure to things beyond our norm. It can all start feeling like the same day on repeat.

The next time you are feeling stuck or uninspired, get moving. Sure, 30-minutes of sweat is best. But if you don't have that kind of time, do some jumping jacks, squat jumps, or if you feeling up for it, get some burpees in. The key is to move your body. If you have time, take a walk or a run outside. And while you are out there, be sure to take it all in. 

Expand Your Circle

Life is busy. Add on a significant other, family, or children, and social time is further limited. But making time to get to know people who are different than you opens your mind, too. If you hang out with other attorneys or legal professionals, it's less likely you are exposed to markedly different lives. Certainly, we are more than our profession. But for lawyers, well, so much time is spent practicing law, there simply isn't a lot left over for social stuff.

Think about combining social expansion with exercise. Have you played pickleball? It's all the rage. Get your exercise, meet new people, and have some fun. Join a running club. Do you have children who are school-aged? Get to the next Parent Association meeting. Meeting other parents is a great way to have something in common and expand your social circle. Make the time to get to know people in different professions, especially creative fields. 

Doodle

Yup, just start drawing. Or maybe grab a paintbrush or markers. Just go. See what you start with and how it evolves. It's a great type of creativity exercise. There is no required output. There is no image you are setting out to draw. Just start drawing and see what happens. It's a great natural release of your mind and gets those creative juices going.

Other positive effects of doodling? Stress relief and a more positive outlook have been shown as a result of doodling. It also improves your psychological resilience, which we all know is a great trait for everyone but lawyers even a bit more. 

Keep Learning

Back to that free time thing, I know, but we can find the time for things that are important to us. Maybe you want to learn about art. Perhaps brush up on your Spanish skills. Or maybe it's pickleball. Whatever interests you, it's important to learn new things. And by new things we don't mean the latest in litigation. Sure, you must keep up with your profession, and naturally, that comes first. The key here is to learn something new, unrelated to your daily schedule.

Keep a list of things that interest you. Look for a one-off class. Or maybe it's a league. Whatever it is, making learning a new, fun, ability a priority. I'm a big fan of cooking. A local kitchen supply store offers lessons in a variety of food areas. And I get to meet new people there, too. It's a win-win.

Building a creative mind has a lot of positive benefits. Not only are people with strong creative muscles happier, they more easily see options to address an issue. And we know how important that is when practicing law. And you may even enjoy it more, too.