Spontaneity is creative flow.

In highly engaged states, ideas and actions emerge so quickly they bypass self-monitoring, the inner critic. During improvisation the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (involved in self-monitoring) quiets down and the medial prefrontal cortex (linked to self-expression) ramps up.

Spontaneity & creative flow feed each other in a loop of associate leaps, bringing about a flow state. Spontaneity sparks creativity, creativity sparks flow — and the cycle feeds itself. Great creative work often cycles between bursts of spontaneous generation and deliberate shaping.

To train the spontaneity–creativity loop, invite the unpredictable, then give it form. One practice to drop you into spontaneity by silencing the inner editor and forcing associative leaps is unfiltered generation:

• Write/draw/brainstorm
• Set a strict timer for 7 minutes.
• No plan, no prompts, no outline. Let the first thing that comes to mind lead the next.
• Don’t pause to think. If you get stuck, put anything down until momentum returns.