So you don’t think you’re creative. Let me tell you now I don’t believe it. A big statement? Not really. How do I know you’re creative? Because life is continually throwing up problems big and small, all needing solving and I bet you manage to solve at least some of them. And you solve them how? By being creative, of course.
Don’t be fooled, creativity is in all of us. Do you listen to music? Do you exercise or play computer games? If you’ve answered yes to any of these we’ve just established you are well on the way to rediscovering the creative you.
What are the seven secrets to a more creative you
- When you think it, write it down. Simple isn’t it? How many times have you thought of a great idea and then forgotten it because you didn’t get it down. Besides the fact ideas often pop into our heads at inconvenient moments, we can only keep so many thoughts in our head. Use anything to hand, it doesn’t have to be pen and paper, use your cell phone voice recorder function or SMS yourself, your palm pilot — anything will do. Scribbling it down, even if it’s just a couple of key words, will guarantee you’ll remember it.
- Turn on (and up) the music. Choose music you love and suits who you are at the moment. Just make sure it helps you think and explore. Once you find your ‘creative’ music you’ll be off and running. Watch the creative sparks fly and ideas bubble and burst out of you. I don’t know what it is about music but it works, so make sure you try it.
- Find your personal creative rhythm. We all work and think better at different times. I’m sure you’ve noticed the time of day when you feel your best. Are you a morning person? Or do you come alive at night? Find that time and use it to think up all your ideas or solve those gnawing problems. Find your rhythm and take advantage of it.
- Feed your mind. Give your brain something to think about. It could be by reading, doing puzzles, playing computer games, surfing the internet… just give your brain some exercise. Increase your knowledge by reading broadly, whether on the subject you want to solve or get more ideas, or for general knowledge. Talk to other people, join blogs, rise to a challenge and feed your mind — the ideas will flow.
- Get active. Our bodies are meant to move and as you exercise you’ll find your brain will want something to think about. Go for a walk, visit the gym, have a surf or swim, play a sport. Get some exercise and boost your creativity and watch those ideas roll in. Just make sure you have something handy to record them all!
- Be curious. Ask lots of questions. Not the easy questions. If you do that you’ll get the easy answers. Think of the hard questions, the great questions. When you have a really good question you’ll get a really good answer. And that question or answer will set you off thinking about more questions and more answers and importantly, great ideas. Be forever curious, no matter what it is.
- Have fun and enjoy. Creativity works its best when you aren’t stressed. It thrives on a content mind and body. Sit under a tree or lie in the warm green grass and gaze at the sky. Laugh out loud at nothing, have fun in whatever you are doing — enjoy the moment. So stay cool, relaxed and have fun.
Being creative isn’t as hard as you think, is it? It isn’t just for those who are tagged or seen as ‘ideas’ people. We are all ‘ideas’ people. We may not think we are or talk about it much — but we can all be creative. You just have to remember how. And now you do. The next step is for you to take each of the seven secrets you’ve just discovered and give them a try.
To turn that creative force into reality ‘A Guide on Creating Ideas for your Business and Deciding the Best Ones‘ is just what you need. Showing you easy to use and proven techniques in getting your ideas off the ground it’s a must for your small business. It’s simple and easy to read style means you can get started on growing your business using creativity and innovation almost immediately! At $US27 you shouldn’t be without it.
Click on the book link to find out more and buy now. And don’t forget to take advantage of our bonus offer of hints and tips on facilitating meetings and workshops, a savings of over 30%!
To paraphrase a famous Jedi, may the creative force be with you.
