The Cage Is Not Locked: 6 ways to free your creativity

If you’ve ever said “I’m not the creative type,” you’re not alone. Many of us think creativity belongs to artists, designers, or people who brainstorm with Post-it notes for a living.

But here’s the truth: creativity isn’t a job title. It’s a way of thinking.

Whether you’re building presentations, solving operational snags, or running a meeting, you’re creating something every day. And your ability to adapt, connect, and think differently is  creativity in action.

To see where your own creative strengths already show up, try a quick creativity quiz. The questions can help you reflect on your unique style and give you a clearer sense of how creativity is already part of your life.

You might be more creative than you think!

Still, it’s easy to feel blocked… waiting for the “right” idea, afraid to get it wrong. We all fall into routines sometimes which leave little room for inspiration. But the good news?

The cage is not locked.

The limits you feel may be old habits or beliefs you’ve outgrown. You can step out anytime.

Here are six ways to start.

1. Make Time for Creative Moments

We often wait for perfect conditions to be creative: a wide-open calendar, a quiet space, or a flash of insight. But you don’t need a sabbatical to invite creativity in. Try a five-minute sketch, a journaling prompt, or an improvisational warm-up before your next meeting. These small acts can loosen mental rigidity and get ideas flowing.

2. Follow Your Curiosity

Creativity loves questions. When something sparks your interest, follow it. That might mean exploring a new tool, reading outside your field, or saying yes to a project that makes you feel like a beginner again. Let go of needing to have the answers. Curiosity is enough.

3. Change the Channel

Routine can be helpful, but it can also keep us thinking inside the same lines. Try changing the channel. Take a walk. Rearrange your space. Talk to someone outside your department. Even asking a different kind of question in a familiar meeting can shift your thinking.

4. Try On a Structure

It might sound strange, but sometimes the best way to get creative is to give yourself some limits. Try a “Yes, And” brainstorm, a time-boxed session, or a simple problem-solving framework. When you’re feeling stuck, structure can be the nudge you need to get moving.

5. Protect the Pause

Your best ideas might not show up when you’re staring at a screen. They tend to arrive when your mind is at rest—on a walk, in the shower, or while you’re stirring your coffee. That’s how the brain works. Make space for stillness. Let your mind wander. Insight often comes when you’re not looking directly at the problem.

6. Move from Idea to Action

Creativity isn’t just about having good ideas. It’s about trying something. Pick one idea. Test it. Give yourself a week to see how it goes. Then adjust. The process of iteration builds confidence and momentum. Small steps can lead to big changes.

So What’s Keeping You in the Cage?

Maybe it’s the idea that you’re not “the creative type.” Maybe it’s the pressure to get it right on the first try.

But creativity isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being willing to start.

When you bring that mindset to your work, something shifts. Teams collaborate more easily. Problems feel more solvable. The day gets a little more interesting.

This week, do one thing that feels creatively risky.
✅ Doodle during a meeting.
✅ Pitch an idea before it’s fully baked.
✅ Play with a “what if” just to see what happens.

The cage is not locked.

You can step out at any time.