Please enjoy the following two-minute video on creativity. (Don't see a video? Go to Blog.)
All of us are creative. Of course, some are naturally more creative than others; however, all of us can have very creative ideas. Unfortunately, many of us learned to squash this creativity because we did not feel it was appropriate or acceptable as we aged. As adults, we sometimes become apologetic about showing our ideas. We became embarrassed to share our ideas with others. This causes us to become conservative in our thinking.
Following are 10 steps for boosting creativity by Jeffrey Baumgartner:
Listen to music by Johann Sebastian Bach. If Bach doesn't make you more creative, you should probably see your doctor – or your brain surgeon if you are also troubled by headaches, hallucinations or strange urges in the middle of the night.
Brainstorm. If properly carried out, brainstorming can help you not only come up with sacks full of new ideas, but can help you decide which is best. Click here for more information on brainstorming.
Always carry a small notebook and a pen or pencil around with you. That way, if you are struck by an idea, you can quickly note it down. Upon rereading your notes, you may discover about 90% of your ideas are daft. Don't worry, that's normal. What's important are the 10% that are brilliant.
If you're stuck for an idea, open a dictionary, randomly select a word and then try to formulate ideas incorporating this word. You'd be surprised how well this works. The concept is based on a simple but little known truth: freedom inhibits creativity. There are nothing like restrictions to get you thinking.
Define your problem. Grab a sheet of paper, electronic notebook, computer or whatever you use to make notes, and define your problem in detail. You'll probably find ideas positively spewing out once you've done this.
If you can't think, go for a walk. A change of atmosphere is good for you and gentle exercise helps shake up the brain cells.
Don't watch TV. Experiments performed by the JPB Creative Laboratory show that watching TV causes your brain to slowly trickle out your ears and/or nose. It's not pretty, but it happens.
Don't do drugs. People on drugs think they are creative. To everyone else, they seem like people on drugs.
Read as much as you can about everything possible. Books exercise your brain, provide inspiration and fill you with information that allows you to make creative connections easily.
Exercise your brain. Brains, like bodies, need exercise to keep fit. If you don't exercise your brain, it will get flabby and useless. Exercise your brain by reading a lot (see above), talking to clever people and disagreeing with people – arguing can be a terrific way to give your brain cells a workout. But note, arguing about politics or film directors is good for you; bickering over who should clean the dishes is not.
Rachel Lavern is a Certified LifeSuccess Coach and a business partner of Bob Proctor. She coaches individuals and businesses that want to gain greater personal or business success. She specializes in using Bob Proctor’s principles to create extraordinary growth for her clients’ lives and businesses. She provides workshops and keynote speeches across the country and is passionate about teaching people how to create financial, emotional and spiritual prosperity– instructing them on what to do, why they do it and how they do it. We only have one precious life–shouldn’t it be a life that we love?
"To begin, you need to know what drives you. Simply because not knowing will mean that you can never begin to satisfy yourself. What does money mean to someone who hungers for love?" - Napoleon Hill
The above quote contains wonderful wisdom. It is the basic principle that puts you on the path of greatness. Answer this: “Which of the following determines the direction of a ship in the sea: Is it the direction of the breeze or the setup of the sail?” If the ship is sailing towards a certain destination, what determines the likelihood of its arrival?
The sail’s setup determines the direction of a ship in the sea. The breeze's direction is variable and cannot be controlled; however, the ship's captain has full control over the setup of the sail. Imagine that the ship's captain does not know his destination–he is just cruising. How can he decide which setup for the sail is the best? He will be unable to make such a decision. He does not know where he wants to go; consequently, he will never have control over his direction in the sea. He will go in whichever direction the breeze blows.
The captain may occasionally face a strong storm, which can damage his ship. He risks losing everything because he unable to adjust the correct setup of his sail in order to face the storm. The breeze may take him to a place he does not want to go. He does not have control just because he does not know his destination. He doe not know his PURPOSE.
The sea is your life and you are the captain. If you are aware of your destination before setting sail, you will have full control. What is the purpose for your journey? What is the purpose of your life? You must be able to answer the preceding question before taking a single step. When you discover your answer, you will master your life! You will be in control. You will know how to setup your sail setup to take you to your destination. The external circumstances may be tough; however, you will be able to face them properly. You will have the ability to maneuver your ship and alter your routes because you will be very familiar with your direction.
The secret of life's greatness and power is to be very sure of your purpose in life. Then begin the journey with full control of your sail against any breeze that arises.
Dream Big!
Rachel
Rachel Lavern is a Certified LifeSuccess Coach and a business partner of Bob Proctor. She coaches individuals and businesses that want to gain greater personal or business success. She specializes in using Bob Proctor’s principles to create extraordinary growth for her clients’ lives and businesses. She provides workshops and keynote speeches across the country and is passionate about teaching people how to create financial, emotional and spiritual prosperity– instructing them on what to do, why they do it and how they do it. We only have one precious life–shouldn’t it be a life that we love?
You are always abundant. Within you lies a power that is continuously connected to the abundance of wealth, success, prosperity, joy, freedom…all things positive. Are you focused on the abundance of good that you have in your life, or the abundance of lack?
It is important that we feel satisfied, appreciative and grateful for what we have and stop focusing on what we do not have.
I have often found myself feeling that a circumstance was not good enough, rather than feeling satisfied with where I was and feeling hopeful and excited about what I was creating (which is the key to manifesting what you desire). When I am wishing that I had something different than I had at that given moment, I was not able to find the blessings and feel appreciation for anything in my life. I was making everything wrong, wishing I was somewhere else. I was postponing my joy for something else to happen, instead of appreciating what I already had in the moment.
When we find ourselves focusing on what we do not have, it helps toI take pause and remember the Law of Sufficiency and Abundance. This law works in unison with The Law of Attraction. When you are in a place of feeling that you are not enough, you are in a place of lack. I can shift my focus and begin to feel appreciative for the things that I do have, no matter how insignificant they may seem. Suddenly things begin to flow again.
It is always great to desire more in your life and want to improve your life. I am all about that! However, the way to work with the Universal Laws is to be appreciative for where you are right now, while getting excited about what is coming!
Big hugs!
Rachel
Rachel Lavern is a Certified LifeSuccess Coach and a business partner of Bob Proctor. She coaches individuals and businesses that want to gain greater personal or business success. She specializes in using Bob Proctor’s principles to create extraordinary growth for her clients’ lives and businesses. She provides workshops and keynote speeches across the country and is passionate about teaching people how to create financial, emotional and spiritual prosperity– instructing them on what to do, why they do it and how they do it. We only have one precious life–shouldn’t it be a life that we love?
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