| It is a popular misconception that only a privileged | | | | forward to and enjoy. |
| few are able to let loose a continuous stream of | | | | Radical and imaginative thinking is a good quality to |
| creative genius. This is, of course, false. Actually, | | | | have but we need to look at the flip side as well - |
| imagination and inventiveness are very much like | | | | having constraints on your creative parameters |
| any other talent in that they need to be made | | | | can actually be constructive. Being subject to |
| use of regularly in order that the end product | | | | limitations will discipline you to work within your |
| remains of the highest quality. It follows | | | | means and can help you become more |
| therefore, if you don't practice harnessing your | | | | resourceful. |
| powers of creative thinking, this particular skill will | | | | Next thing to do is expand on the ideas given |
| very soon disappear from your repertoire. But, | | | | above by experiencing something new on a daily |
| persevere and work hard and you will quickly reap | | | | basis. Eat something you've never tried before. |
| the benefits. | | | | Go visit an exhibition that normally wouldn't |
| Now you've decided to something about it, how | | | | interest you. Watch a movie in a foreign language. |
| do we go about releasing your potential by | | | | Strike up a conversation with a complete stranger |
| massaging your inner mindset and developing your | | | | (in a public place of course - or you might find |
| creative thinking? The first thing to do is become | | | | yourself hauled away by the boys in blue... not a |
| a human sponge and I don't mean that you take | | | | new experience to relish!). The further you |
| a degree in gullibility. You need to absorb as much | | | | remove yourself from your comfort zone, the |
| information and knowledge as you can. Read | | | | more your natural curiosity will develop, giving you |
| everything you can get your hands on whether | | | | a new lust for life. If you are afraid of this idea or |
| it's good or bad, and keep an open mind to the | | | | you doubt its' effectiveness look at it this way - |
| countless opportunities that life can bring. The | | | | when did you last do something for the very first |
| more new things you discover, the more you'll | | | | time? If you can't answer then chances are |
| want to discover, and the more your sense of | | | | you've become socially stagnant and need a lift |
| wonder will be exercised. | | | | out of the rut. It sounds a bit upside down but |
| Try to focus on at least one creative activity | | | | what you've actually done by not doing anything is |
| every day, even if it seems like a bit of an effort | | | | miss out on a whole load of personally enhancing |
| at first. Even something as innocuous as doodling | | | | experiences. Go do something radical today... |
| is a creative activity. Don't allow yourself to be | | | | maybe a parachute jump or an off-road driving |
| distracted. Mindless doodling may be a creative | | | | course. Think about what you will learn from this, |
| activity, but for people who are just beginning to | | | | and think about the stories you will be able to tell |
| let loose with some creative thinking in their lives, | | | | others. |
| it is heartening to have tangible evidence that | | | | Creativity occurs when you move out of your |
| what they are doing is real. Why not give it a go? | | | | comfort zone and begin to look at things in a |
| Practice doing some simple drawings or sketches | | | | different way - in short, your inner mindset needs |
| for 2 or 3 minutes every day. Get yourself a | | | | to be updated. It's not difficult to start the |
| cheap camera and start snapping photos like your | | | | process but it does take a degree of discipline and |
| life depends on it. Start a diary and make sure | | | | resolve to maintain it. The only thing holding you |
| you write in it unfailingly. In a very short time, | | | | back is your own uncertainty. Take the plunge |
| whichever activity you choose will become a part | | | | and you'll be glad you did - the rewards are |
| of your everyday routine and one which you look | | | | boundless. |