Today is the final installment for this series on getting back on the positive track, moving toward the things you desire in your life. We have cleared our minds of the detritus. We have found a ways to seek out and recognize the positives that are already within us, bring them into the light and sharpen them. We have engaged our true personalities and know how to keep pressing forward. Today we will talk about bringing our creativity and creative thinking to a higher level.
Believe it or not, there is creativity lurking within all of us. Creativity is not only the ability to draw a picture or write a poem – creativity is simply thinking in a unique way. When you approach a situation, as long as you keep thinking of new ways to solve problems, you’re thinking creatively.
Boost your inner creative potential.
1. Do What Makes You Happy. You may already have an idea about what you might like to do creatively, but you may be afraid of failure, or even success, so you don’t try to get it done at all. However, the only failure is if you have given up before you start. So what if you fall flat on your face? So what if people are judging you? Adopt the attitude that “you only live once” and go for it!
2. Do it again! Let’s say that you feel your true calling is film making. You take a class, but your teacher doesn’t like your work. What do you do? Do you give up or keep going? The answer is obvious: pick yourself up and keep learning the craft! Take another class or create a film on your own. As long as you’re enjoying yourself, learning, and practicing, you’ll create your own version of success!
I have had this experience myself. In elementary school, my teachers told me that couldn’t draw a stick figure well. And, I believed it. Many, many years later I started drawing. And, you know what I discovered? I could draw; and I was pretty good at it. Then I could paint, and begin to pursue many other artistic outlets that I had been afraid to try. Now, honestly, I am no Rembrandt, but I can do things that others told me I could not.
My point is this: Do not let other people snuff out the dream and the desires that you carry in your heart.
3. Never stop thinking and learning. Of course you never really stop thinking. However, you need to always be thinking new ideas, new thoughts and solutions, especially when it comes to mundane situations. You mustn’t just accept that things are done a certain way; “the way they’ve always done it” You need to continue to expand your thinking and keep coming up with new ways to do the old tricks.
4. Inspiration. When you follow what truly inspires you, creativity just comes along for the ride. Let’s say you always wanted to start a business. That doesn’t sound terribly creative on its own, especially if it’s a type of business that already exists. But your inspiration will spark your creativity as you decide how your business will stand out from the competitors.
5. Stay Calm. Avoid situations where you feel overly stressed or uptight. If you are like most people, you will probably do most of your creative thinking in a calm environment. Too much stress hinders your creative thought processes. Remember to take breaks when needed.
6. Action is required. Act on Your Ideas. There is only one true way to discover if your creative ideas will be successful. You need to make a plan and follow through with it.
Some people are held back by fear of failure, financial constraints, or other setbacks. But if you truly want to accomplish your creative goals, you’ll need to figure out a way to get past the hurdles. Once again, think creatively about solutions, and then press on.
7. Use your passions. Remember that there is already creativity inside of you, just waiting to be tapped and released!
If you have a passion in life, let your creativity fuel that passion. If your passion is stamp collecting, for example, you can make that creative. Perhaps you have already considered a new design for a stamp collector’s album. Do it! You could even design your own stamps or start a website for other stamp collectors to get information. Just be creative!
Set aside at least a few minutes every single day and give yourself the freedom to be creative. You may find this difficult at first, but before you know it the ideas will be flowing. Keep a pen and pad nearby to record the ideas as they come up, or use your smart-phone. You don’t want to miss anything!
I hope that this short series has beenhelpful in getting you started back on the right track so that you can pursue your heart’s desires.
For more on this topic visit www.MartinaMcGowan.com
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photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pagedooley/2577006675/sizes/m/in/photostream/