Leadership
5 Ways to Generate New Ideas
Ever had one of those seasons where you just felt like the idea well had run dry?
I know I have. As creatives in a church environment we can often get wrapped up in the day to day. After all, Sunday Is always coming. There are graphics to be made, videos to be shot, social media posts to create and concepts to be made reality. For most of the staff and volunteers who are tasked with creating, the our jobs depend on our creativity and on our ideas.
Every one of us will eventually hit a wall. We will sit in our offices for hours trying to force out that next great idea. The good news is that there is hope. There is a way out of the funk. If you haven’t been there yet, don’t worry, you will soon.
These are 5 practical things you can do when your time comes.
1. Escape from your Daily Grind.
In my experience, whenever I get stuck in a rut, the best thing to do is get out of my routine. It is important for us to build time in to our schedule and simply get away. Sitting at your desk staring at your computer screen will be the last place you will get inspired. Break away from the office by getting outside, taking a quick day trip or simply shutting down your technology.
It is important for us to build time in to our schedule and simply get away. Click To Tweet
2. Collaborate.
Your best ideas will hardly ever come from isolation. Getting the team together for a quick brainstorming session or structured conversation just might be the thing that snaps you out of the funk. It may seem time consuming and useless to schedule yet another meeting, but your creative brain cells will thank you in the end.
Your best ideas will hardly ever come from isolation. Click To Tweet
3. Start A Creative Diary.
I know, I know. It’s not very manly of me to suggest a diary, but I’m not talking about a diary for your emotions or secret crushes from the church singles group. I’m simply suggesting you keep a running list of your creative ideas. They don’t need to be well though out actionable plans, just a place to put your thoughts when the mood sparks. This tool has proved invaluable for me. I’m basically an insomniac, so my best ideas tend to come at 1AM. I keep my creative book next to me at all times so I can write down the ideas as they pop into my head as I’m trying to count sheep.
4. Race your Brain.
One of the most effective things I’ve tried has been to race against myself. If you are struggling to give a title to your next sermon series, set a 5 minute timer and write down every idea that pops into your head. Sometimes, our creative minds can be held back by our own filters and fears so it is good to force ourselves to jump out of that. It might sound a little crazy, but trust me, it really works.
5. Clean out your Ears.
Those of us who work or volunteer at church can easily become desensitized to the stories around us. It is likely that your next creative idea can come from a story someone or something around you is trying to communicate to you. If you’re struggling to find that next idea, you best bet might be to take a step back and listen to what is going on around you.
Those of us who work or volunteer at church can easily become desensitized to the stories around us. Click To Tweet
Being the idea person will not always be easy. It takes work and dedication to innovate and help you church get to the next level. The next time you’re struggling to think of that next big idea try a few of these techniques to spark the creativity.
JOSH BLANKENSHIPCreative Pastor / Blogger / Host of The Creative Church Show Podcast
Kansas City, MO
joshblankenship.me
