 10 Simple
Creative Steps - Turn Your Creative Spark Into a Flame
By Nancy Marmolejo of Comadre Coaching
Creativity and innovation begin with the spark of an idea. But for so
many, the process ends there with no plan to manifest. Understanding simple ways to turn
your ideas into action will give you the edge to turn that spark to a flame and rise as a
leader in innovation and creativity.
These following ten simple tools not only jumpstart your creative
spirit, they will help you to maintain and sustain the idea flow. Making these steps a
part of your life will reinforce a solid creative foundation in your life, facilitate
innovation and ease your problem-solving process.
The ten simple ways to turn your creative spark into a flame include:
1) Understand What You Are Passionate About - You can
accomplish this by creating a business mission statement, an artist’s statement, or a
set of guiding principles. Finding what truly drives and inspires you helps focus your
attention on your creative gifts. A well thought out mission serves as a beacon on your
path, helping you to decide when to say “yes” and when to say “no”.
This process is crucial for creative people and business people alike -- especially those
who find themselves overwhelmed by numerous ideas.
2) Catch Your Ideas - How many times have you been
struck by a great idea and by the end of the day you can’t remember what it was?
Creating a system for catching your ideas will help you realize what an amazingly creative
mind you already have. Whether you use note cards, a PDA, a tape recorder, or a notepad,
find the method that you’re comfortable with…and use it! The key is consistency
and variety. Discover a method of documenting your ideas quickly and don’t be afraid
to be unconventional.
3) De-Clutter Your Mind - Amidst the wonderful ideas
floating around in your head are random thoughts, mental observations, worries, fears and
reminders. Begin keeping a daily journal to record your mind’s ramblings. Write at
least two pages, preferably in longhand, on whatever is going through your head. Make
lists, hold conversations, explore new ideas, revisit events or occurrences that took
place during work and document dreams. This is a great activity for first thing in the
morning and right before bed.
4) Enjoy Creative Rituals - Engaging in an activity
that will entertain, amuse and delight your creative spirit keeps your outlook fresh and
your innovation fired up on a regular basis. A ritual can be as simple as two minutes of
intentional laughing or stretching, or as elaborate as a scheduled day for a staff lunch
outing or a weekend away at a teambuilding retreat. The purpose is to inspire you and
those you work with to do something new and different that recharges your creativity and
stimulates your imagination.
5) Make Time for Reflection and Introspection - Take time
to get quiet and look within. What behaviors or thoughts keep you from growing your
creativity? How are situations in your life zapping your energy, thereby reducing your
creative output? Creativity is an inside-out job. Healing yourself from within is a step
in the right direction.
6) Practice Gratitude - Gratitude is a HUGE part of
creativity. When you express gratitude for the simplest things, you’ll find yourself
rewarded with a host of new ideas. Use your daily journal to list everything you are
grateful for, and you will soon feel the power of gratitude in your life. If you are
suffering from a creative block, sit down and write a list of ten things you are grateful
for. When good things come your way, put a word of gratitude out there.
Verbalizing your gratitude with those you work with is also a wonderful
daily regime. It builds friendships, loyalty and trust and makes you more approachable
should a situation need to be addressed.
7) Practice Appreciation - Along with gratitude comes
appreciation: appreciating the creativity of others, appreciating beauty, or appreciating
people’s efforts. Find something to appreciate in everything you see today, whether
it’s something from nature, a handmade item, or something manufactured. Observe and
appreciate the work that goes into everything around you.
8) Create Community - Find or create a community of people
who share your passions and interests, either on a personal level, or business level, or
both. Share what excites you: your successes, your frustrations, or your craziest schemes.
Communities meet online, by conference call, in person, or through other means. The right
community is out there and is waiting for you.
9) Stop the Trickster - The Trickster is that negative
voice in your head that tells you that you aren’t good enough, or that you can’t
change, or that being creative is for other people. Tell the Trickster to be quiet and
understand that it is only an illusion of your mind designed to keep you from growing.
10) Celebrate Small Victories - Creativity
doesn’t have to be grand or on a large scale. An insignificant action for one person
can be a huge victory for another. If you try at least one of the items on this list,
consider that a small victory.
Watch how infusing your life with the gifts of creativity sparks
talents and skills you may not even realize you have. Who knows…maybe you’re the
one with The Next Big Idea!
Nancy Marmolejo helps entrepreneurial women hone in on their core
strengths to turn ideas into action. Visit Nancy at www.ComadreCoaching.com to
receive a free copy of “Get Creative Now! Four Simple Tools to Boost Your Creativity
from the Inside Out”. |
