The ability to create and the creative process can seem like an alien planet to some people.  You can hear them now - "Me?  I'm not creative!"  Well, of course you are.  Everyone has that divine spark of creativity.  Some just have developed that spark a little more than the rest of us.  There are simple ways we can all use to increase the creativity we already have.  Here is my short list.  

1.    Do not just sit around all glum if you're not feeling creative.  The only thing you may be creating at that point would be more gloominess.  Get up and get a move on.  Do something, work on a hobby, read a book, sit on your porch and watch the birds and butterflies.  Sometimes inspiration comes from unexpected sources.  

2.    Keep a list of ideas.  Have you ever thought about something that sounded awesome at the time and then later you could not remember exactly what it was?  Don't you hate that?  Having a handy little notebook to jot down these ideas will go a long way in getting the creative juices going.  Also, those creative thoughts can be banked and saved for later when you really are stuck for inspiration.

3.    One of my favorite ways to get ideas flowing is to play the "what would happen if I did this" game.  This works in a lot of areas of life, but is especially helpful in clearing the way for creative ideas to flow.  It makes you think of things that ordinarily wouldn't cross your mind.  

4.    Challenge yourself.  Start small and set some goals for creative things you want to do.  As you accomplish these small goals, set up more challenges for yourself.  This will really prime the creative thought process.

5.      How about those deadlines?  Don't we all just love those?  Set them anyway.  You will work harder to reach your goals.  If you feel a lack of creativity has caused you to put things off too long, set a deadline for yourself.

6.    Move your space.  Rearrange your desk.  Move the sofa across the room if that's what it takes.  Even something that simple can sometimes jar the creativity awake.  

We all have it within us to be creative beings.  I hope some of these things will help on your journey.  Try one or try all of them.  Not everything works every time, but you never know what will.  Whatever method works will only make the creative spark stronger every day.