How much of your life do you spend simply killing time while waiting for others?

And at the same time feeling you really could be getting on with something more creative..?

We all seem to have busy lives these days and anything that can help us to make better use of our time is usually gratefully welcomed.

The act of creating each day and getting into this rhythm and discipline is one way we can begin to work towards this.

Even if we do this however, many of us find we still “waste” much time in waiting around for others.

Some everyday examples are waiting in queues in shops, or waiting for a train that’s late. These situations we can’t do much about.

One of the oldest questions and dilemmas for artists and creative people is the consistency of their output.

Is it better to maintain a steady output, write/ paint/ compose a little each day, even if it’s just for ten or fifteen minutes?

By developing this kind of “everyday creativity” habit we create an ever-open channel for our creativity to flow steadily through.

It never becomes intimidating or disheartening if we create a little less some days because we know that the next day, or the day after that, we’ll return with something amazing again.

Alternatively there’s the inspiration of the “artist’s muse”.

We sit and wait for that elusive inspiration to strike and bless us with the ability for glorious fresh creative expression. And then watch it disappear again for days, weeks or months on end…

Finding your creative groove is another way of saying finding your creative voice, expressing yourself in a way that’s purely and honestly you, sharing the things you’re compelled to share with the world through your art and creative work.

Another, equally important, part of your creative groove is creating in a style and a rhythm that works well for you and allows you to create as freely as possible. This includes having (take a deep breath here) habits and systems in place that allow you to be as creative as possible.

You know when you’ve found your creative groove because you create without thinking, completely lose track of time when you’re creating and have a head absolutely bursting with ideas that you can’t bring to life quickly enough.

One of the keys to being more creative is BELIEVING you can be more creative.

If you have the belief and the mindset that your creativity is limited, and that someday – maybe today even – it’s going to run out and you’ll never create anything worthwhile or interesting again, what kind of effect will that have on how you create?

Here are some likely ways this will have an negative impact on your creativity:

- You’ll feel you have to make your creativity last, you’ll have the rationing mentality. This means you’ll only allow yourself to create in small bursts, or only work on small projects, just in case you “run out of fuel” half way through.

In the past it was very difficult for artists to connect with other artists and the majority worked alone, silent toiling with little support or interaction from others who are like minded.

These days though, the scene is very different.

With the explosion of ways to communicate via the internet, creative artists all over the world can exchange ideas, collaborate on creative projects, share resources and support each other from the comfort of their own homes.

Although much creating still needs to be done by the artist alone, they have the knowledge that a supportive group of other creative people can be literally at their fingertips.

Are you still struggling to create on your own?

We all have a series of pathways running throughout our lives.

Each time we have a choice to make, whether it’s what to eat for breakfast, which house to live in or anything else, we’re in effect making a decision to take one pathway over another.

Sometimes when we’re in the midst of these kind of decision moments it’s difficult to keep everything in perspective and not get overwhelmed. OK so that’s not likely to happen so much at the breakfast table, we’re talking here about the larger decisions.

When we look back over our lives so far, we can see the pathways we’ve taken with much more clarity.

One of the quickest and most effective ways to kill your creativity is to try to live up to a whole collection of “shoulds” defined by other people.

“You should do this”, “You should do that”…

What does it really mean to be creative? Follow what you’re told you “should” do? I don’t think so…

Here are 7 of the most deadly “shoulds” to avoid to help you be more creative on your own terms:

1. You should only create when you feel inspired. Yes and how often does that happen? How conveniently? Creativity is a way of living and being, it’s about seeking out new inspiration and ideas in everything you come across, not sitting, hoping and waiting for inspiration to suddenly hit you.

Do you proudly shout about your creativity from the rooftops?

Or instead do you keep it hidden away and only talk about being creative with a few carefully chosen trusted friends, as if you’re members of some secret taboo society?

If you’re more like the second description, maybe it’s time to come out of the creativity closet a little. At least open the door and have a peek around!

Here are 5 reasons why your creativity is a NOT a dirty secret and can be openly and proudly celebrated:

1. Being creative improves your health – When you regularly create, it gives you a channel to express your ideas and personality through. It allows you to flow and be more at peace with yourself.

However good our intentions are to be more creative, there are often ways that we limit our creativity, sometimes without even realising it.

Becoming aware of the ways you choke your creativity is the first step in changing the behaviour, so you can be free to create to the heights and depths you’re truly capable of.

One of the ways you may be choking your creativity is through not capturing your ideas.

Many creative people claim that the reason they’re not more creative is they don’t have enough ideas, or enough good ideas: “If I had some good ideas to start with, I’d REALLY be able to get my creative teeth into the project and create something worthwhile. But I’ve got nothing to start with.”