Copyblogger asked a bunch of folks what creativity means to them via Twitter and in a nutshell, he found found a theme in the responses: creativity is not creativity without execution.

Check it: What Does Creativity Mean to You?

There’s a great, great, great list of tips to rejuvenate your creativity from Lifehack today. My faves: …. well all of ‘em! In a nutshell, if you’re stuck, change things up. See/experience things you don’t normally see/experience. Also, keep capture device(s) on you at ALL times (camera, notebook, etc.).

Go read the tips: 30 Tips to Rejuvenate Your Creativity

Jane Northcote has a good, blunt writeup at Copyblogger telling you to “Do it” if you are trying to get some piece of work written. My favorite is #5: Tell a large number of people you’ll do it. Trap yourself. If you’ve made a commitment to a lot of people then the shame of saying you didn’t try will outweigh the effort of doing it.

Now go read it and then get writing: Getting Writing Done: How to Stop Thinking About It and Write

Experiencing local and independent art is fun. Sometimes it is inspiring.

Once in a while, you run into a FANTASTIC piece of work. Grade “A” stuff. And that is great.

Most of the time, local and independent work is tolerable to okay, you know, like if you had to give it a grade, you’d give it a “C”. You take SOMETHING from it, but overall, it’s not so memorable or inspiring.

And then the rest of the time, you run in to stuff that is SO BAD that you are embarrassed for the artist. I’m talking about stuff that you’d give a grade of “F”, or maybe “D-” if you are feeling generous.

I’ve experienced my fair share of HORRIBLE musicals, independent movies, sketch comedy, rock bands, paintings, photography, etc. But what always happens to me when I experience this stuff is that I say to myself, “I could do 10 times better than that guy without even trying”. Even if it is an art form that I have zero experience in, I feel as if I could crank out something better than the drivel that I have just experienced. It makes me want to go home and write a movie. Or write a book. Or record a song. Or paint a picture.

Don’t get me wrong, I have all the respect in the world for EVERYONE who is willing to put themselves out there and show the world their work. It often takes balls. Lots of folks who want to publish a song or write a novel or make a movie never even TRY. Usually fear stops them cold … fear of inadequacy, fear of failure, fear of ridicule, whatever. They never even try. So my hat is off to everyone who even tries.

But sometimes it is SO sad when an ambitious project that someone has sunk hours and hours and hours into is SO BAD. The good thing about experiencing this embarrassingly horrible art: it often inspires me.

So next time you’re stuck, go seek out a horrible play or indie movie or rock band. It may just give you the inspiration to produce something that is at least a “C” and who knows, you may produce an “A”.

Next time you need to be creative, go take a shower! BloggingBits.com tells you why: The Shower Creativity: How to be Uber Creative Whenever You Want

photo credit: hi_dr_rat

Nice new list to get you to pick up the pen and start producing!

…a lot of people can relate to the desire to create beautiful writing, while a lot of people lack the discipline to put the pen to the paper.
Like most goals, accomplishment comes with investments in time, in brain power, and consistent commitment.

Check it out: 9 Ways to Jumpstart Your Writing Goal

photo credit: drwhimsy

Write to Done as a great article on finding inspiration for your writing.

“You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” - Jack London

No matter how much you love writing, there will always be days when you need inspiration from one muse or another.

So check it out and get writing!

31 Ways to Find Inspiration for Your Writing

photo credit: photogirl72

Joe wrote to show a cool little pamphlet from Mega Blocks. Here’s part of it:

Check out the whole thing at FourHMan: How Creativity Saved the World

John Medina

Thoughts/Words/Reviews:

Most of us have no idea what’s really going on inside our heads. Yet brain scientists have uncovered details every business leader, parent, and teacher should know–such as the brain’s need for physical activity to work at its best.

How do we learn? What exactly do sleep and stress do to our brains? Why is multi-tasking a myth? Why is it so easy to forget–and so important to repeat new information? Is it true that men and women have different brains?

In Brain Rules, molecular biologist Dr. John Medina shares his lifelong interest in how the brain sciences might influence the way we teach our children and the way we work. In each chapter, he describes a brain rule–what scientists know for sure about how our brains work–and then offers transformative ideas for our daily lives.

Medina’s fascinating stories and sense of humor breathe life into brain science. You’ll learn why Michael Jordan was no good at baseball. You’ll peer over a surgeon’s shoulder as he finds, to his surprise, that we have a Jennifer Aniston neuron. You’ll meet a boy who has an amazing memory for music but can’t tie his own shoes.

You will discover how:

- Every brain is wired differently
- Exercise improves cognition
- We are designed to never stop learning and exploring
- Memories are volatile
- Sleep is powerfully linked with the ability to learn
- Vision trumps all of the other senses
- Stress changes the way we learn

In the end, you’ll understand how your brain really works–and how to get the most out of it.

About the DVD The Brain Rules DVD, included with this book, is a lively tour of the 12 brain rules. You will experience firsthand Medina’s rare gift for making science fun, accessible, and relevant. The DVD will take your understanding of the book to the next level.

View More about Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School

I stumbled upon a nice list of tips to trick your brain to take a fresh look at things, and maybe, spark some creative stuff at: Creative Creativity

They are:

1. The George Costanza Method
2. Change Your Commute
3. Calling Things By The Wrong Name
4. Write WIth the Wrong Hand
5. Listen to a Radio Talk Show That Pisses You Off

So go check out 5 Tips On How To Trick Your Brain Into Taking A Fresh Look At The World to get all the details!