What can da Vinci teach us about being more creative on social media?
When you think of Leonardo da Vinci, you may think of natural-born talent so far above the average human as not to be untouchable. But the fact is, da Vinci was a self-taught “genius.” As much as anything, he willed his talent into place.
What was truly notable about da Vinci was his “ability to apply imagination to intellect.” His creative methods applied across multiple disciplines opened his mind to possibilities that most everyone else around him overlooked. It allowed him to make connections that no one else could see.
What can we learn from da Vinci’s habits that will help us create better content? How can we start to see what others don’t? And most importantly, how can we apply it to our own creative endeavors, in social media, on our blogs, and for our customers?
Here are 10 activities of da Vinci’s that will help you find that creativity within you.
(Some creative activities are sourced from Time Magazine’s “The Science of Creativity.”)
1. Slow down. It’s hard to find that creative spark for a post when you are racing against the clock. Instead, set aside a half-hour to ponder a few post ideas at the same time.
2. “Be radically curious” about everything, says Casey Stanton, CEO of Fractional CMO. Give yourself permission to ask questions or Google it anytime something catches your fancy.
3. Pursue knowledge. It may not be immediately obvious how a certain subject ties into your content, but if it interests you, dive in. If you find artificial intelligence fascinating, but it’s unrelated to your current business, research it anyway. Tomorrow the connection to another topic you’re working on may click.
4. Be observant of your environment. Notice details, how things fit together and how they work. Others may think you are easily distracted, but in fact, you are highly alert. The more you pay attention, the more likely you are to be inspired by something you never noticed before.
5. Take a detour. Obviously you can’t do this all day everyday, but indulge yourself once in a while. Here you can often stumble upon a fresh idea or a creative way to present a new topic.
6. Get inspired. Get out of the daily grind and onto a higher plane. Get outdoors, travel, or read something for fun. If you can’t get out of the office, try scrolling through social media and adapting different techniques you see to your own brand. When you need to get the juices flowing, do whatever lets your mind wander, whatever lets you leave the mundane behind.
7. Combine subjects. Is your expertise mainly limited to a single subject? How would it help your creativity to add another? @ElonMusk likes to talk about Artificial Intelligence and crypto in addition to his electric vehicles on Twitter. What other areas could you mix in to improve your content?
8. Have a creative outlet for yourself outside of work. Creativity is contagious. Is there a creative hobby you have always wanted to dabble in? A well-rounded you will be more insightful when you start your next posting session.
9. Brainstorm with others. Sometimes the best ideas come when you sit down and share with others. At a minimum, this can work well for building a content calendar. But it can also help for fleshing out specific topics. When it comes to creativity, two (or more) minds are often better than one.
10. Write it down. When something pops into your head, don’t hesitate. Keep lists of topics you are thinking about and add to them whenever inspiration strikes. You can use the notes app on your phone for a quick thought, or a journal or Google Doc for more in-depth ideas.
These 10 da Vinci habits, taken together, can dramatically change how you connect to all the creative input the world has to offer. Give yourself permission to do the groundwork to be creative, and your creative spark will ignite.
When you finally tap into the creative power in the world, your social media will show it. Maybe you won’t create the Mona Lisa, but you will certainly have a social feed you can be proud of. Not sure where to start? Try telling your brand’s story from a fresh perspective. You are sure to capture your audience’s attention.
Do you have activities that might help others who are trying to jumpstart their creativity? Share in the comments below.
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