creativity – Personal Growth Cafe

April 25, 2018January 7, 2018

Finding Your Creative Spark

Don’t you love it when your creativity manifests itself?

Creativity brings us benefits that go far beyond artistic expression.

Being a creative person can help you to be a better (and higher paid) employee, a better problem solver and an all around more effective person in anything you choose to do.

Even if you don’t think of yourself as an especially creative person, you’ll be glad to know that it’s there within you just waiting for you to use it!

Creativity can be expressed in many different ways.

Plus, there are many techniques you can use to develop and nurture your natural creativity.

How to Learn Creativity

Like many people, you may think that you’re either creative or you’re not. What a myth! If you long to be more creative, then go for it!

Here are ten tips you can use to become a new, more creative you:

Think of yourself as creative.

We all have the spark of creativity inside us; it’s just a matter of fanning that flame to keep it alive, as well as knowing where your particular brand of creativity is best applied.

The first step is to know that you’re creative.

Think positively about this and work to see your creative side whenever possible.

Think creatively. If there are two solutions to a problem, try them both.

Try out your new ideas, even if they seem a little outlandish at first.

These fresh, outside the box, perspectives can lead to huge breakthroughs.

Telling yourself that you’re creative is only the beginning; try to think creatively whenever possible.

Put your new ideas into action. Don’t worry what other people will think.

By trying out your creative ideas, even if you don’t succeed at first, you’ll learn something and give your creativity a chance to flourish.

Don’t be afraid to try new things.

Don’t over-think things; just go ahead and do it!

Rather than thinking of all the reasons NOT to do something, think positively and take a risk.

If you have always wanted to try writing or painting, just get it on paper (or canvas, as the case may be) immediately.

Let your creative impulses run wild.

Be inspired! Pay a visit to a museum, take in a play, try going somewhere you’ve never been or seeing something you’ve never seen.

Inspiration sparks creativity.

Make time for your creative outlets. We’re all busy these days.

Be sure to schedule some time for your creative pursuits.

Put yourself in front of your instrument, your computer, or whatever your medium may be for a few hours each week and let your creativity come out.

Enjoy yourself. Make your creative endeavor a joy, not a chore. This will ensure the continued flow of creative energies.

Play creative games. This is a fun way to foster creativity!

Get together with friends and play charades or another game where success hinges on being expressive and coming up with creative ways to communicate.

Try a new creative medium. If you have chosen a creative medium, try mixing it up when you get into a rut.

If you write, try playing music. If you’re a dancer, try painting – you get the idea.

Shake things up to get some new ideas and perspectives.

Take a break! If you’re stuck for ideas, don’t sit there in your work space staring at the walls.

Even the most creative people need to take some time off. This can allow a blocked well of creativity to flow again.

Get outside for a bit to recharge your creative energies.

Remember to be patient when nurturing your creativity. This shouldn’t be a stressful activity.

Make a habit of enjoying these techniques every day and one day soon you just may discover that you’re one of the most creative people out there!

What brings out the creative side of you?

How creative do you get when it comes to work?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

Also, as your gift for taking this to heart – and this is profoundly important… to us ALL – go to UnitingPlanetEarth.com/ignition/ and do the Uniting Planet Earth 7-Day Quick-Start Ignition Program… and Allow it to Transform Your Life.

Before you leave…

Please share the link to this post on your Facebook, Twitter, etc., and like it, and comment right here – THANKS!

April 4, 2018January 7, 2018

Making the simple complicated is commonplace. Making the complicated awesomely simple, that’s creativity. – Charles Mingu

March 1, 2018January 5, 2018

I’m tapping into my creative side.

March 1, 2018January 5, 2018

How to Become a Creative Thinker

While it’s true that some people are born with a creative mind, it doesn’t mean that creative thinking can’t be learned and developed.

You may even believe that you don’t have a creative bone in your body, but this simply isn’t true.

If you weren’t capable of some type of creative thinking, you’d be a robot!

Believing In Yourself

The first step toward creative thinking is the belief that you can acquire and develop the skill.

The truth is that, if you continue to set up a mental roadblock and tell yourself that you can’t think creatively, you’ll never get past this first step.

When you truly believe in yourself, you also open up doors.

The possibilities are endless just because you decided to give creative thinking a shot.

Developing Creativity

In order to foster creativity in your life, start thinking about where you want to apply your newfound creativity.

It’ll help, at least at first, to have a specific goal instead of the broad goal of just “thinking” creatively overall.

You might start with discovering better solutions to common problems at the office, or you might want to broaden your horizons with an artistic goal in your free time.

No matter what your goal is, try applying some of these creativity boosting tips:

1. Spend time brainstorming.

When looking for ideas for a project – or solutions to a challenge – write down everything that comes to mind without holding back.

Don’t worry about logistics or staying organized; just let your mind go free.

Another form of brainstorming that might be worth a try is free writing: just pick up a pen and let your mind go wild on the topic of your choice.

Tell yourself that you can’t pause or put the pen down; you must keep writing.

You’ll be surprised at what you can unload from your brain during a free writing session!

2. Change your surroundings.

You may have noticed that your patterns of thinking change when you’re in different places.

If you find that your mind is stuck, try changing your environment.

Go out for some fresh air or hang out in a coffee shop.

It may be just what you need in order to discover a new and exciting idea.

3. Take notes.

Always carry some kind of note taking device with you, whether it’s paper or a mobile device.

Record your ideas as they come to you, no matter where you are at the time.

Creative thoughts can come and go, but if you write them down you won’t forget them.

4. Research your topics.

Even though it may seem boring, you can do some research online.

When you do, you’ll learn that knowledge is power and it’ll enable your brain to get to a place it wouldn’t normally have gone.

Enjoy the journey and always follow your love of learning.

Research will always provide you with new angles of thought.

Consider Other Perspectives

While everyone comes with their own unique set of abilities and opinions, when you develop your creativity, you learn how to come up with new ideas and solve problems from different points of view.

No matter what challenge you’re faced with, spend time considering the perspective of others.

While you might not share the opinion of another, see if you can figure out how or why they have that view.

Think about how they feel.

Developing this empathy will keep your mind open, which will always foster creativity.

When you get into the habit of using these tips often, you’ll be pleased to see outbursts of creativity!

How can you develop a regular routine of creative thinking?

How do you bring out the creative side of yourself?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

Before you leave…

Please share the link to this post on your Facebook, Twitter, etc., and like it, and comment right here – THANKS!

December 30, 2017

Discovering Your Creative Energy – 4 Ideas to Help You Be More Creative

There are times when we all want to be more creative.

We wish that there were something we could do to express ourselves and create something beautiful at the same time.

If you’re looking for ways to discover your creative side and release the artist within, here are a few simple activities that you can do to get the creative energy flowing.

1. Express Yourself

What type of personality do you have?

Are you able to express that personality freely at work or with friends?

If not, tackle one of these projects and let your personality shine!

Decorate your house, or at least one room, the way you like it.

It doesn’t matter what anyone else tells you, just decorate your room, your way.

This will help you unleash your own self-expression.

Dress the way you want. If tackling the house is too big of a job, then take a look at your wardrobe.

Dress how you want to dress. Trust yourself and trust your instincts.

You are dressing for you, not the world.

Don’t worry; you can express yourself while still being professional at work.

You have to find ways in everything you do to allow creativity to flow through you.

This can be as simple as the way you sign a letter, mail an envelope, the way you dress or the house that you live in.

2. Change Your Routine

If you’re stuck in a rut, do things that take you out of your normal routine.

It doesn’t really matter how stimulating your work or home life is, when you take a moment to step out of your normal routine for some “me time,” you’ll be open to new ideas and new thoughts.

How can you step out of your normal routine?

Read a book that you wouldn’t usually pick up

Watch a movie that you wouldn’t typically choose

Talk to a total stranger that you think looks interesting

Go shopping at a store that you have never been to. You don’t necessarily have to buy anything, just go in and look around.

Meet a friend you haven’t seen for a long time

3. Pay Attention to Your Surroundings

Another simple activity to increase your creativity is to pay attention to your surroundings.

You may laugh and think that is absolutely ridiculous – after all, you see the same things and people everyday, and you probably even drive the same route to and from work, too.

But try to take a few moments and actually pay attention to your surroundings.

See things the way they are and not the way you think they are.

Take a different route home from work. Discover shortcuts or new neighborhoods.

Sit on a park bench and people watch. Think of stories for each person or couple that you see.

Have you ever really paid attention to the people in your office?

What about the person that sits right across from you?

Take five or ten minutes and take notice. Don’t stare, but pay attention.

You just may find that other people can be quite the source of inspiration for creativity.

4. Use Your Imagination

If you have a favorite poem or story that you loved as a kid, sit down and start writing that story, but make the changes that you always thought should be there.

What were Jack and Jill really doing on their way up the hill?

If they were fetching a pail of water, what was the water for?

You don’t have to re-invent the wheel, simply make the everyday your own.

Increasing your creativity starts in small, simple ways.

Your life is filled with opportunities for you to test your creative energies but it’s up to you to take action!

How creative have you been lately?

How did it feel to show and use your creativity?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

Before you leave…

Please share the link to this post on your Facebook, Twitter, etc., and like it, and comment right here – THANKS!

December 30, 2017

Creativity is a type of learning process where the teacher and pupil reside in the same individual. – Arthur Koestler

October 13, 2017

Tapping Into Your Creativity

Do you love to be creative, but want to take your creativity to a whole new level? Do you feel overwhelmed by your work and find that your natural creative abilities and talents are untapped?

If so, you need to learn how to tap into your creativity whenever you want or need to.

When you allow creative thinking to flow, you will find that you can enhance your natural abilities and accomplish more in less time.

Creative Thinking Begets Creativity

Creativity allows you to become who you want to be. If you cannot release your creativity, you may feel your professional growth stunted, or you may not be able to think as clearly as you would like to.

Many of people don’t realize the importance of creativity until they are taught to tap into it through creative thinking.

Are you wondering how you can get started with creative thinking? You can begin with simple exercises like going through magazines and cutting out random images.

You then can glue them all to a paper or a board without thinking about it – just let your creative juices flow! Finally, step back and see what your mind has created.

You may be impressed and surprised with yourself. This surely will help you tap into your creative energy.

Listen to Something New

Another way to jump-start your creative thinking is by listening to music. Put on an album that you are unfamiliar with or borrow a friend’s CD.

When you listen to something that you have never experienced before, you may find that you are changing your definitions of creativity and are lighting your creative fire at the same time.

Get Creative By Getting Your Groove On

Dance! Creative thinking often starts with an active body. Put on a CD or go out to a jazz club. Try a dance class, or enjoy the movement of your body in your own living room.

Whatever it is, do something to get up and get going! You will be surprised at how creative you’ll feel afterwards. You may feel inspired and ready to tackle new and exciting projects.

Or perhaps you’ll find that your workload isn’t as daunting as it first appeared. After all, you’ll be relaxing while having fun!

Write Your Heart Out

Another option is to set your timer for 15 minutes. From the minute you press start, you should write freely. Write whatever comes to mind without thinking about it or planning.

Then step back and see the creativity that flowed from your mind to your hand, and then to your pen and onto the paper.

Yet another awesome way to boost creative thinking is through affirmations. These positive statements can help you remember what it is to be creative and how wondrous it feels when creativity flows through you.

You can create a list of affirmations for yourself such as, “I feel an intense flame of passion for things that interest me,” that can help you tap into the creative person that you are, even as you deal with everyday stresses.

How are you taking advantage of the opportunity to learn and develop your skills?

How can affirmations help tap your creativity?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

Before you leave…

Please share the link to this post on your Facebook, Twitter, etc., and like it, and comment right here – THANKS!

July 17, 2012

Creative Notions

People seem to have the misconception that only a select few are able to unleash a steady flow of creative genius. That is not true at all. The fact is, creativity is very much like a muscle that needs to be exercised in order to consistently give out great results. If you don’t practice harnessing creative thinking, this skill will very much atrophy into inexistence. But keep working and this skill will soon come to you in a snap.

So how do you unleash your creative thinking? Well, the first thing is to become a human leech. No, we’re not talking about just sucking the blood out of every living being available, we’re saying that you should take in as much knowledge and learning you can find. Read everything available — good and bad, and keep your mind open to the infinite possibilities of the universe. The more you know, the more you’ll want to know, and the more your faculty of wonder will be exercised. Prepare to be amazed at little facts that add a bit of color into your life.

Focus on a creative activity everyday. Yes, it’s an effort. Even doodling is a creative activity. Don’t let anything hinder you. Mindlessness may be a creative activity, but for people who are just starting out to unleash a little bit of creative thinking in their lives, it is helpful and encouraging to have concrete evidence, that, “hey, what I’m doing is getting somewhere.” So why don’t you try it. Practice drawing for a couple of minutes each day. Bring out your old camera and start snapping photos like crazy. Keep a journal and make a point to write in it religiously. Another cool idea is to write by describing something with your five senses. Try to avoid vague adjectives like “marvelous,” “amazing,” and “delicious.” Before you know it, you’ll have built yourself a tiny portfolio, and you’ll be amazed at the growth you’ve undertaken after amassing all those works of art. Who knows, you might actually take to liking those things you do everyday. Pretty soon those things will become a part of you and you’ll be addicted to these creative exercises.

Think out of the box — or don’t. Sometimes, constraints are actually a good thing. Limitations discipline you to work within your means. It enables you to be more resourceful. Creative freedom is great, but limitations enforce discipline.

Try something new everyday and let your experiences broaden your perspective. Explore a new district in your neighborhood. Spend an afternoon in a museum to which you’ve never been before. Chat up someone on the bus. Open up to the people around you. As you thrust yourself out of your comfort zone more and more each day, your sense of adventure grows and so does your zest for life. Think about it. When was the last time you did something for the first time? If it’s been a while, I tell you, you’ve been missing out on a whole lot of experiences that could’ve added to your growth, emotionally, mentally, physically, or spiritually. Why don’t you try bungee jumping today? Not only will you learn, but you will also have plenty of stories to share, enabling you to practice your storytelling skills and making you the life of the party.

Embrace insanity. No, not to the point of practically admitting yourself into the mental ward. As John Russell once said, “Sanity calms, but madness is more interesting.” Exactly! Every creative thought was once deemed insanity by other “normal” people at one time or another. Luckily, that didn’t stop the creative geniuses from standing by them. The thing is, sanity or being normal confines people to think… well, normally. Withink limits. Creativity is essentially breaking through barriers. Yes, this includes the bizzarre and the downright strange. I’m not saying that you yourself should develop a creative personality. That might go haywire. An example of a creative personality would be George Washington, who often rode into battle naked, or James Joyce, who wrote “Dubliners” with beetle juice for an intense fear of ink, or Albert Einstein, who thought his cat was a spy sent by his rival (or in thinking creatively in this case, the term could probably be “archnemesis.”) It’s important that your creativity doesn’t get you detached from the real world completely.

I hope this article has inspired you to start thinking beyond your “limits.” If you follow these steps pretty soon you’ll be living a life full of interesting adventures. Unleashing your creative thinking will bring about a new zest for living life.

July 4, 2012July 4, 2012

How To Become a Creative Thinker

You may believe that you don’t have a creative bone in your body, but this simply isn’t true. If you weren’t capable of some type of creative thinking, then you’re not human.

Here’s a video that shows you how to become a creative thinker.

Now that you’ve watched this video, let’s talk about the main things you’ve learned from it, how you’re relating it to your own experiences… and how you’re going to apply it – in the Personal Growth Community at http://www.PersonalGrowthCommunity.com

Also, to make sure you’re fully aware of the power you have to create whatever you Desire, please go now to https://www.PersonalGrowthCafe.com and begin doing the “Crash Course on Creating Your Ideal Life with The First Covenant”.

That’s my $197 video training that’s a special gift to thank you for visiting the Personal Growth Cafe.

Talk with you in those four videos!

Joyfully,

Dan Klatt,
“Think And Grow Rich Guy”
Author of “the Daily Personal Success System”
President of the http://www.PersonalGrowthAuthorsAssociation.com

….Serving as Your WealthSensei!

P.S. One more thing. If you liked this video, Share it, and Like it! (Use the little ‘<‘ less than sign.)

Who do you know who needs to know this? (Your Facebook friends, Twitter followers, email contacts, etc.)