6 Tips for Generating Creativity

Ian from ZenHabits identifies a core point to consider: will power is a limited resource. As it is a commodity, it needs to be treated as one every single day.

Allocation
Manage your time better. Set a core task that you aim to achieve each day and put it into your calendar. That task is the task to get done on that day. Everything else is secondary. With the core task identified, getting that done with the bigger part of your daily will power will take a load off of your shoulders. You will worry less, as you know you're giving your all in the most productive way you can.

Tracking
Make note of how much will power you feel that you have. Are there any times of the day that get you pumped? Any activities that give you a boost? How about activities that wear you down? Monitor yourself. Your work speed, your enthusiasm, your focus, your energy. Your will power.

Train
Exercise your will power; like a muscle, it strengthens with use. Also like muscles, you should do it slowly and gradually. Can you remember the last time you did your back in?

Be Fresh
Some days when I wake up, I need to take a shower straight away. If I feel greasy, it's on my mind when I come through into the studio. Freshen up at the beginning of and throughout every day, properly. Half way through the day, consider changing your socks for a fresh pair. Having that extra breathing room for your feet (a core place for heat to escape your body) will make you feel fresh all over, and give you that afternoon burst of energy that you sometimes need.

Get Comfy
Make absolutely sure that your work environment is helping you rather than working against you. Just a few moments ago I added some True Full Spectrum Daylight light bulbs into my Amazon.co.uk basket. A yellow studio with a standard yellowy light, with a small window, makes for a rather artificial experience. Get a good chair, get good lighting, get a good display, and keep the whole place clean and tidy. See those pieces of paper on your desk in front of you from the letters you opened this morning? File them away. You'll notice a difference in your work space immediately.

Do Hard Things
Focus on doing things today, which will enable you to do tomorrow what you can't do today. You can't sit the exam without doing the revision, so get the first part done today, and tomorrow you can achieve your absolute goal. Again, this method is progressive, and requires all of the above (new socks optional) to truly work. There's a good book on this, which shares the same title as this subsection. Feel free to check it out: http://www.therebelution.com/dohardthings/

Creativity is stagnated by stress, lack of energy and an unmotivated mindset. Allocate your tasks, track your will power to find the best times to do said tasks, and train up for a stronger tomorrow.