If you want to start people watching to boost your creativity, the first and most important step is to pick the right environment. Choose one that is lively and provides ample people you can observe. Markets, parks, and coffee shops are generally great places to people watch. However, you need to be sure that the environment you choose is a safe and secure one. Once you've settled on the right location, take your seat, sip your beverage and begin!
People watching lets you take everything in – observe the body language, listen to the conversations, and soak up the emotions. You can look for patterns in the actions and dialogues in order to get a better handle on human behavior. With practice, you can gain some incredibly valuable insights without the people you're observing even noticing. As you observe, make sure to use your intuitive powers to identify the key traits in each person.
Moreover, as you observe, take note of any thoughts or ideas you might have, including those which appear out of nowhere. Don't be timid; be brave and explore them. Make sure to write any creative cues down in a notebook so you don't forget them. Creativity is a game of putting things together in interesting ways, so don’t be afraid to combine these cues with ideas from the people you’re observing. Take inspiration from those around you and you'll be surprised by the ideas it can spark.
You can also adjust your personal perspective while people watching. Open your mind and let your eyes observe the world without judgment or prejudice. Instead of thinking what you would do in any given situation, let yourself explore why someone has taken the chosen course of action. This will help you become more creative, as you're looking for solutions to problems from an individual perspective, instead of a generalized point of view.
Overall, people watching is a great way to boost your creativity. It doesn't require much effort, and you’re in control as to when and where you do it. All you need is a few moments of awareness and observation, and you'll find you soon develop a more creative routine.
