Creativity Triggers & Connecting the Unconnected

Hello Friend — Happy Sunday!

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Now, onwards to Curiosity! This week we’re exploring the Corridors of Creativity!

Creativity is an innate process in human beings.

We all have some level of creativity — I believe all of us should express ourselves in some manner. You don’t have to write, draw, or create visual/audio art to be considered creative. You just have to put your focus into something creatively engaging.

Creativity is helpful in an array of life situations.

The main problem is that many of us are locked in a constant state of distractions and a vicious cycle of flow blockers.

We are afraid to be bored — so we opt for an easy distraction instead of doing the dirty work to attract creativity to fall into our laps. (In this context, Creativity is NOT a stripper name.)

Creativity is locked behind your lack of focus — the more aware and conscious you are of your attention, the easier it is to let go and wander into a flow state.

A flow state is a feeling when you feel like you’re in the zone. A feeling of oneness with the world as you move through your favorite activities.

The best piano player doesn't think about which keys to hit — it just flows.

The best boxer doesn't think about dodging his opponent's punches, it just flows. (It might even flow right into a counter-punch combination. Uppercut, jab jab hook — lights out playa! “AND NEW…")

The best performances usually happen when entrenched in a deep flow state.

The basics are locked down to the point that you completely immerse yourself into the activity — only to snap back to reality a couple of minutes/hours later.

Think of the veteran bow hunter vs a rookie bow hunter — who has the better chance of achieving a flow state during a hunt? The veteran has been there before, so he can leverage experience to bypass the beginner struggles.

I have been experimenting with various flow triggers to enhance my creativity.

I can use that creativity in my quest for better ideas, and content creation, and deepen my understanding of life.

How We Can Leverage Flow Triggers For Creativity

A flow trigger is simply something that launches us closer to the flow state.

Flow comes from various senses: music and other sounds, visual and tactile, taste, smell, feel, the repetition of routine, and the reflection of experience — all can lead us into a flow state.

Once you’re in a deep flow state — it’s hard to even remember to drink water. You might forget where your phone is, you might lose track of time!

You’ll have to find your unique Crucible of Challenge (https://parilbhakta.beehiiv.com/p/crucible-challenge) — the sweet spot for your attention and sense of challenge to excite you enough to engage fully in the moment.

When you bring your full capacity to the party, the results are often extraordinary.

Cultivating focus, awareness, and attention are crucial for unlocking the flow state — thus unlocking creativity and the exploration of the unknown driven by our curiosities.

Some of the flow triggers I have been experimenting with:

• Music — I listen to mostly rap music, so switching up the tunes to Soul/Funk/R&B is a great change and allows for new creative surges. I have even found binaural beats helpful in creating flow-state experiences. (Been loving Sade lately — cannot go wrong with any of her music!)

• Coloring Pages — Yes, I color. I bought some colored pencils (Twistables 30 pack — in case you’re curious!) I have been listening to podcasts and audiobooks while filling in the various patterns. When something that interests me, I shift over to my notepad where I jot down the concept or idea.

• Walking/Movement— Moving the body is a fantastic way to trigger creativity. Walking for up to 20 minutes has been shown to increase the activity in the brain.

  

• Mundane Tasks — Yes, even washing the dishes can help you with creativity. The idea is to get your mind off being creative and let the Prefrontal Cortex run in the background. While you are scrubbing the plates, you might just capture the idea you've been searching for.

• All of these triggers require focus to have a shot— so put the phone in another room and experiment with various triggers. I have been loving the music switch-up lately — I have been able to create a calm environment that allows me to think clearly.

Connecting the Unconnected

Leonardo Da Vinci utilized this method to create the most iconic art pieces of all time.

He discovered that the human brain naturally forms relationships between two separate inputs.

If you try to find the connections between two distinct objects or concepts, soon enough you will find the connections that trigger new ideas.

• Be okay with boredom — the calmness of boredom allows for enhanced capacity for creative endeavors.

• Be observant of the world around you. The next idea could be right in front of your eyes.

• Connect the Unconnected — challenge yourself to explore the depths of understanding.

Parils Top Five List

Top 5 Liquids to Drink as a Human Being

1. Water (cold, no ice)

2. Electrolytes + Water (I like LMNT or BPN Electrolytes)

3. Beer (drink responsibly — they call me “2 Pints P”!)

4. Coffee — a nice latte always hits the spot.

5. Capri Sun (again, drink responsibly)

Thanks for reading — I hope you enjoy this upcoming week! Try to experiment with your flow!

All the Best,

Paril Bhakta