Tag Archives: Creativity

Creativity Tip #41

First things first.

This splash of color should lift your creative spirits.

 iStock_000002018808Medium If not, check your pulse.

Then, check out these two quotes I found in my archives. They’re quite illuminating and pertinent, especially when our attitude doesn’t seem to be cooperating.

“Your mood doesn’t really matter. Some of the best creative work gets done on the days when you feel that everything you’re doing is just plain junk,” said Julia Cameron, 19th century photographer.

Then there’s this from renowned author John Updike —

“Any activity becomes creative when the doer cares about doing it right, or doing it better.”

So where do you fall?

If you don’t care, then maybe it doesn’t matter. If you do care, consider yourself reassured.

Creativity Tip #4

How do you know when you’ve hit THE idea? There are different approaches but this one is sort of like thinking in reverse. I call it the Drill Down Technique.

Begin with writing a one or two word idea on a small “sticky note.” These ideas address or answer a specific question that attempts to solve a problem.

coloredstickies

This works better in a group of about four or five, and is a timed exercise of about ten minutes.

So have a timer (electronic or a person) monitor closely.

Once you have, say, 25 or more ideas (“stickies”), choose what you consider to be the best five ideas . . . and ELIMINATE THEM.

At this point, most likely whoever is keeping time will come by and collect the now-discarded ideas. They no longer exist for (for now).

Choose five more from your “sticky notes” and ELIMINATE THEM.

Continue this process in increments of five until you have five best ideas left. Then eliminate three, then one.

Maybe this last idea you have is the best one; maybe not. However, it’s one to which you may not have paid much attention if you had gone through these ideas in a more traditional way.

Now, go do your due diligence and find out.

You never know.

The Ark Project: Noah’s version has come a long way!

I recently received an email from American Luxury Magazine about a variety of inspiring stories. Even though luxury items and the lifestyle associated with them is evidently the market for the magazine, I was stopped in my tracks when I saw the visual and started reading about a modern day concept called the Ark Project. Talk about innovation! This really got my attention, especially the visuals of this thing.

Quoting here, “Keeping in mind things like climate change and extreme environmental conditions, Russian architect Alexander Remizov, has come up with an eco-friendly floating home that could be constructed in just a few months anywhere in the world – the Ark.

“The Ark has its own independent life support sources and is built to withstand floating through rising sea levels if need be. The Ark works all within itself to heat, cool, and sustain energy. Planting greenery is also a part of living in the Ark, in order to produce oxygen and for decor. Constructing this 151,000 square feet living space would cost roughly the same as building an energy-efficient house according to the Russian architect.”

the-ark-floating

the-ark-floating-inside

Alas, creativity and innovation know no bounds. Our society needs more of this, especially when mankind’s betterment is at stake.

Plus, the Ark looks like fun, if not a little imposing!

Creativity Tip #109

Establish your Inner Sanctuary – This is about using your mind and exploiting your imagination to enhance your creativity. According to my friend Felix Scardino during an imagery workshop, we all have a safe haven – in our mind. It’s an atmosphere you create, and you can add or change it anytime you wish.

It may be an actual place you’ve been to before or it may be one you’ve made up.  You can go there anytime, and just being there might spark your creativity, so let your imagination go.

Try this exercise: Get a blank sheet of paper and a writing utensil. Close your eyes and think of a favorite, relaxing place in which you feel very secure and comfortable. Once there, what are you seeing . . . sensing. . .  feeling. . .  touching. . .  experiencing? Have you been here before? Are you the only one here? If not, who else is here?

When you think you have a handle on where you are and what you’re experiencing, open your eyes and start writing whatever your mind tells you. Don’t over analyze this and try not to think too hard. Let your mind do the writing. Do this for about three minutes.

As a follow up practice, once you have your safe haven established, acquaint yourself with either your Aide or your Braintrust.  They reside in your imagination and can be called upon anytime. Your Aide is your confidante. He/she is what you make him/her.  Maybe he’s Uncle Fred or a composite of several folks. After all, it’s your imagination.

The Braintrust is comprised of your heroes, people you trust or who you find interesting. They can change on every visit; that’s up to you. They can be gathered together whenever you want, inside your safe haven. Take your problem or question to them and listen for what they say.