is inspiration dead in the water?

Being an academic and a creative I tend to read and put into practice a lot that I look at. Recently I have been doing a good deal of research into 'inspiration'. Inspired as you could say, to motivate the students into getting their act together. It is a complex subject. Never is it easy as to say 'switch on' and get productive. So many variables fit into the complex motions of getting the brain to turn those gears. However, one of the great aids is the ability to see possible hurdles that could combat or challenge your creativity. There are too many to name here as possible blocks and remedies, but I will attempt to tell you some and hopefully this will aid in the process of getting your act together.

The first and most easy to achieve is attitude. Again, that is easy to say, but having a late night, not getting your coffee in the morning, missing the bus, etc., can all contribute to making the daily attitude seep a little. However, one thing that you should and need to do, is to detach yourself from the clutter that we can call "the outside world". As we are aware that many things fill our mind, we can relegate those thoughts to are automated subconscious and focus on some of the more pressing feelings of wanting to get creative. The actual definition of 'inspiration' is the process of being mentally stimulated; especially with regard to being creative. We can all say that things weigh on our mind, but it is important to focus. Having a positive attitude towards work is a good way to get the focus started. Believing that you have a long path a head will make you feel more demoralising, so simply see the process that you have to go through as a series of steps rather than one giant leap.

Looking at some of the things I have researched recently, there has been a repeated notion that 'time' of inspiration and our nutrition plays a good deal of influence on our creativity. Looking at some of the blogs and articles I have discovered that many talk about preparing the brain for thinking. I have mentioned this before with the students, but understanding the value of food and the way it affects the body is key to preparing yourself. There are two food types called 'slow carbohydrates' and fast carbohydrates. Each of these do varies affects on your body. However, as far as the brain goes, it needs blood sugar. For example, when you feel faint and want to pass out, this is due to a lack of blood sugar stimulating your brain to send all those messages to the body. Usually in this situation, people will administer some orange juice. This is a quick release option that goes straight into the system after some 15 mins. If you want to get active or break out of that doldrums affect in thinking, then orange juice is a good example. However, did you know that there is a great difference between drinking orange juice and eating an orange. Well there is. One is quick release and the other is slow release. Eating means the system needs to digest before putting into the system. Liquid generally tends to go straight through. So if you need to prepare for a thinking session in the near future, the best approach is to take in slow release carbs. There are many types, but any vegetables, fruit, pulses, etc will do. If you have a normal sleep cycle then the best approach would be to have a good healthy carb based breakfast. As it tends to start taking affect from upto 2 to 3 hours this is an ideal time to stoke the fire.

Sleep is also an important factor. The brain tends not to think straight when tired. Medical advise states tat eight hours is normal, but it is also good to have refreshing naps during the day. There are techniques that have been developed that are called "power napping" which can give you the same affect as eight hours sleep in 15-20 mins. I have actually tried this method in an afternoon and it does work. However, it should never substitute a good night sleep, as the body needs to replenish and repair. My research has found as system of recording process of creativity through what is called a 'heat' chart. This can be found here! The basic premise is to indicate on a 24 hour chart when you feel the most productive. What this achieves is tw things. It can indicate times that you can then move away from creative activity to do all those menial and mundane tasks, but also be an indicate to show you how your dietary process works. Noting if you are more productive some hours after a big meal, but not being so productive after your morning rise, due to the absence of breakfast can be a great indicator that you should consider what you eat. This could be done on a trial basis, but needs to cover several days to indicate a pattern. Give it a go, you may see a possible change that is needed.

The final thing to mention is the actual creative process. As I have explained several times in many other locations, the creative process is a series of steps. It is very rare to get a good 'aha!' moment and jump many of the steps to make a great idea come to fruition. So, failing that genius approach, we have to find another method. Even away from the process of sketching, drawing, creating, our initial steps could be as simple as the attitude we have when we walk down the street. This maybe be an odd thing to say, but the mental state of mind taken when having the difference between what I will call "a rainy day walk" and a "sunny day walk" is extreme. One, is very positive, like the sunny day (hence the name). You walk down the street, smiling and taking everything in. You will see that you notice more, explore more, view more. And the importance of this is that all around you is stimulus. Taking a 'rainy day walk' is not as creative. Simply as you hang your head, feel lethargic and not look at anything. Its about A to B, not the journey. What you must understand is that the A and B are points that may not hold inspiration, so the journey is vital to get the brain thinking and active. When I am walking to a place, as a graphic designer, I look at all the shop frontages and think and analyse if I think they are good, how I could redesign them, etc. This is a very productive method (even if it doesn't lead anywhere) it is getting the brain working. Many other things you can do in a stationary state are keeping a notebook, or scrapbook, or even using digital technology to record things. All this can be classed as reference work and material and is great to develop inspiration. Saying that there is no substitute to developing the brain's knowledge base. Read more, and read variety, and things can pop out from the most surprising places. Go be creative!