I often hear people say “I’m not creative”, however, I believe that we all have the capacity.

“Creativity is intelligence having fun” – Albert Einstein

One area where creativity can be beneficial is in personal development. Creative work requires focus, concentration and being able to make a series of decisions. Art can help to open up neural pathways in the brain that are engaged when you are uninhibited making it conducive to relaxation and further creativity. Having an outlet for self-expression can help to increase confidence and encourage calm assertive behaviour. Art, for example, is a safe medium to make a mistake and explore your mechanisms for dealing with mistakes. Often it can be quite an insightful journey.

There are also many ‘real-world’ situations where a bit of creative thinking can make a big difference e.g. running a business, juggling many commitments, and even just getting the kids to bed on time, can all require creative solutions.

Obstacles

One of the main obstacles to creative expression is ego. It can be low self-esteem when you have no confidence and won’t take chances or it can be when you have established yourself behind a mask of perfection and there is a fear attached to anyone seeing you as less than that. Both scenarios can box you into a rigid form of thinking.

Further blocks can be caused by the limited and self-fabricating falsehoods we pin on ourselves as adults. “I can’t”, “I won’t”, “I never”…

Another major obstacle to creativity can be ‘adult behaviour’. As we get older we are conditioned to present ourselves to society in a certain way. This can create an aversion to play and fun as we begin to act rigidly and think ‘rationally’.

Tips & Techniques

Allow space and time for play and exploration in your life. Children explore frequently. Often the box is favoured over the toy at Christmas because, unlike the toy with its set number of functions, the box represents infinite possibilities limited only by the imagination.

Become aware of when you are on autopilot. We all, at one point or another, reach unconscious competence in a variety of tasks and are no longer aware of the process. Become present and mindful and start to wonder about and question the world around you.

Distract the conscious mind so that the unconscious mind can be heard. Most of us have had the experience of waking up in the middle of the night with a great idea. This is because our noisy rational mind has gone to sleep and finally the unconscious creative mind speaks up. If you find yourself stuck in a problem and needing a creative solution, distract your mind with a completely different task and let the answer simply come to you. The brain is self-organising and given time it will formulate synchronicities that help you to find a creative solution.

Further Reading

59 Seconds – Prof. Richard Wiseman
Think! Before it’s too late – Edward de Bono
The Art Instinct – Denis Dutton
The Artist’s Way – Julia Cameron

Make the time to do this … every day … for you!!

At least once a day, connect with your bigger picture. Ask yourself, what is the long-term aim here, what are my ultimate goals, dreams and desires and then ask yourself, is what I’m doing right now in my job, my life, bringing me closer or further away from that aspiration?

“Success in life could be defined as the continued expansion of happiness and the progressive realization of worthy goals” – Deepak Chopra

Help other people to see their bigger pictures in a non-judgemental way. It is often easier to see others than to see your own.

“Inspiring others towards happiness brings you happiness” – Yogi Tea Quote

Any ‘negative’ experience you have today, ask yourself, ‘what have I learned from this experience?’ as every perceived ‘negative’ experience is an opportunity to learn and expand. We can only attract into our lives that which already exists in our own vibration. If we attract an undesirable event, person or conversation it is because on some level we need it for our own growth. Take the ‘negative’ experience and turn it into a positive one by learning from it. And always remember, what you perceive to be negative is perceived as positive by somebody else. Change your perspective for a moment, consider other peoples viewpoints. (You don’t have to tell them you are doing this … just do it for you!)

If you are not happy … change something! Anything! It can be as simple as taking a deep breath. Taking a deep breath changes your physiology, your brain chemistry and ultimately your perspective. Changing your perspective might seem to some like the smallest thing you could change but, in fact, it is the largest and most potent thing. How you choose to react to any given situation is down to you. This is applicable to everything. Ask yourself how do you choose to react to insults, compliments, pain?

Don’t forget how unique you are. You are the only you! You are originally manifest into this physical reality with none of your day-to-day issues and you will leave this physical reality the same. Why do we create so much noise and complication in between these two points? It is all part of our learning and we choose how we learn.

“We are spiritual beings having a human experience” – Yogi Tea Quote

Appreciate the gift of life … and all the other blessings in your life… the food on your plate and your ability to be able to enjoy and savour it, your health, your bed, your family and friends, your mind. The day will come when your time on this physical plane is done and you don’t get an exit interview or time to summarise and complete everything you wanted to so don’t waste a precious moment doing something that makes you unhappy. Don’t do anything out of guilt or obligation! When you are happy, people around you will be happy so inspire others towards happiness by radiating happiness.

Shoot for the moon and even if you miss you’ll end up amongst the stars! At least you were going in the right direction. It is important to be focused on your goals but allow yourself permission to change your mind and go with the flow if that is what your heart tells you.

ALWAYS listen to your heart. If something doesn’t feel right in your heart, it isn’t right! This is the most important tool you own. Consult with your heart on a regular basis. Get to know how to read it. Following your heart can sometimes lead to heart-break, that’s okay, don’t try to protect yourself from this. Love unconditionally and you will heal fast, I promise!

Tell yourself every day that you are free … and believe it … because you are free!

“Here is a test to find whether your mission on Earth is finished: If you’re alive, it isn’t” - Richard Bach

Namaste!