Inspiration: 52 exercises to stimulate creativity, playfulness and innovative thinking

Inspiration is a skill that can be developed and called on whenever needed. A toolkit for generating new ideas, 52 exercises designed to foster an inventive frame of mind. Drawing insights from the worlds of art, music, psychotherapy, and innovation, this is an invaluable resource for creatives and professionals alike, helping their minds become more reliable lightning rods for their flashes of inspiration.

Format: Cards
Length: 52 pages
Publication date: 31 July 2023
Publisher: The School of Life Press

Whatever our job title, our work will always benefit from new ideas and fresh ways of thinking. We're used to regarding inspiration as something that arrives more or less at random; it is, in fact, a skill that we can learn to develop in ourselves and call on whenever we need it. Inspiration is a toolkit for generating new ideas: 52 exercises designed to foster an inventive frame of mind. With this to hand, we have no more need to wait for inspiration to strike; we can kindle it and deploy it as we require it.

Each exercise prompts us to work on a particular creative muscle and helps us to establish the psychological conditions for original work. Drawing insights from the worlds of art, music, psychotherapy, and innovation, this is an invaluable resource for creatives and professionals alike, helping our minds to become more reliable lightning rods for our numerous flashes of inspiration.

Examples:

Sensory Deprivation: Removing distractions and external stimuli can allow our mind to wander more freely. That's why ideas tend to come to us in the shower, or just before we fall asleep. Sensory deprivation tanks are an extreme (and expensive) way of quieting the outside world.

Create your own makeshift sensory deprivation tank. Find a spare office or free room and close the door. Turn out the lights, close the shutters or blinds, and switch off any electrical appliances. If it's still noisy, use earplugs or play white noise through some headphones.

Stay in there for at least 10 minutes, or as long as you like. Use the time and space to think about your project – or try to think about nothing at all, and allow your mind to drift.

Paint Like a Child: Pablo Picasso spent his career developing his painting in an increasingly abstract direction. Near the end of his life, he began to paint in a more representational style, using simple shapes and bold colors.

One day, he was walking through a park with his daughter, and he saw a child painting a picture of a horse. The child was using a wide brush and a bright blue color, and Picasso was struck by how the child was able to capture the essence of the horse in just a few strokes.

Picasso decided to try painting like a child, and he began to experiment with different techniques and colors. He found that by using a wide brush and a bold color, he was able to capture the essence of his subjects in a more direct and simple way. He also found that by painting like a child, he was able to let go of his inhibitions and allow his imagination to run wild.

Picasso's paintings from this period are some of his most famous and most beloved works. They are characterized by their bold colors and simple shapes, and they are a testament to the power of imagination and the importance of letting go of our inhibitions.

In conclusion, inspiration is a skill that we can learn to develop in ourselves and call on whenever we need it. By using the techniques of sensory deprivation, painting like a child, and working on a particular creative muscle, we can establish the psychological conditions for original work and generate new ideas. Whether we are artists, musicians, therapists, or professionals, inspiration is an invaluable resource that can help us to achieve our goals and to create something truly unique and meaningful.

Dimension: 155 x 115 x 35 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781915087706