| Want a fast way to get creative? Stop thinking! | | | | One of the secrets of creativity is the use of |
| Most of what we call "thinking" is simply labeling. | | | | symbols. This is because our right brain thinks in |
| We're repeating old tapes in our head. This type | | | | images. Our right brain isn't verbal, language is a |
| of thinking is not creative, and there's no way to | | | | function of our left brain. If you remember to use |
| access our true creativity from this mindset. | | | | symbols while you're working at a creative task, |
| Like most adults, you probably lost the skill of | | | | you'll be using both sides of your brain. |
| dropping into a creative mindset at around eight | | | | How does this work? |
| years old. It's time to reclaim this skill. Here's how | | | | Let's say that you have a ferocious inner editor. |
| to access your innate creativity. | | | | Whenever you try to work at a creative task, |
| => Daydream | | | | your editor pops up and tells you you're doing it |
| When you want to become creative, your first | | | | wrong, your work isn't any good, you're wasting |
| step is slow down. Relax. Play some calming | | | | time, you don't know enough, and on and on. |
| music, or simply close your eyes, take a few | | | | Close your eyes for a moment and allow an |
| deep breaths, and daydream for a few minutes. | | | | image to form of your inner editor. Mine looks like |
| Don't try to rush this initial slowing down. You're | | | | a buzzing mosquito. Yours may look like your |
| aiming to drop out of the world of your usual | | | | mother, a high school teacher, or a yapping small |
| concerns. Fantasize. Imagine you're living on | | | | dog. |
| tropical island, where your every wish is catered | | | | Whatever your inner editor looks like, it's time to |
| for. Make this daydreaming scenario as real as | | | | shut it up. You can do this by locking your editor |
| you can. Hear the waves, let the sand sift | | | | in a room or a box (throw away the key), asking |
| through your fingers, and feel the warmth of the | | | | it to pack its bags and leave, by spraying it with |
| sun on your skin. | | | | bug spray, or by whatever inventive scenario you |
| => Control anxiety | | | | develop. Unfortunately, you aren't destroying your |
| While you're daydreaming, beware of ruminating | | | | editor for good. It will pop up again, and you'll need |
| about your everyday problems and concerns. If | | | | to go through the process again. However, it does |
| you find yourself worrying about your job, | | | | get rid of the editor long enough for you to |
| finances or relationships, switch back to | | | | complete your creative task in freedom. |
| fun-fantasy mode. Take a couple of deep | | | | You can develop a symbol for anything. One of |
| breaths, close your eyes, and build up your | | | | the most useful is for your current creative task. |
| tropical island (or other) fantasy in your mind once | | | | Let's say you're writing a book. Close your eyes, |
| again. | | | | and allow a symbol to come to you. Maybe it's a |
| If you feel guilty because you think you're | | | | paperback or hardback, with the title and your |
| wasting time when you take a few minutes to | | | | name as the author on the cover. Whatever |
| daydream, your own experience will show you | | | | symbol pops up, accept it, even if it makes no |
| that you're NOT wasting time when you | | | | sense. For example, your symbol might be an ice |
| daydream, you're increasing your productivity. Our | | | | cube, a fire engine, or a Disney character. You |
| rush-rush lifestyle chokes off creativity. Only | | | | can work with whatever symbol comes to you. |
| relaxation will allow your creativity to bubble up | | | | You work with the symbol in whatever way you |
| and will get you into a true creative state. (Note: | | | | please. You can dialogue with the symbol, for |
| such a state is also called a "peak experience" or | | | | example. Ask it questions, and write down the |
| "flow state".) | | | | answers. If you've ever done any dream work, |
| => Brainstorm | | | | this is a similar process. |
| When you feel completely peaceful and relaxed, | | | | It's often enough to simply be aware of the |
| you can start working at your creative task. Do | | | | symbol, to imagine it. The symbol is part of your |
| some brainstorming. | | | | creative right brain, and being aware of it triggers |
| One of the cardinal rules of brainstorming is --- | | | | your right brain into action. You'll find that the |
| ACCEPT ANYTHING, DON'T JUDGE. | | | | symbol is especially useful if you're not in the |
| This is because you can do things with your ideas | | | | mood to work on your creative task. Just play |
| once they're on paper or the computer screen. | | | | some music, bring your symbol to mind, and |
| You can reverse them, combine them with three | | | | daydream. You'll find that your mood changes, |
| other ideas, and grow further ideas from the | | | | and you begin to work without effort. |
| seed of one idea. | | | | Think of your symbol as a key to your creative |
| Unless you accept junk ideas, you can't make the | | | | self. |
| creative leap which gives you a brilliant idea. So | | | | => Allow yourself to be creative |
| never discard anything when you brainstorm. | | | | Finally, it's important to acknowledge to yourself |
| Try brainstorming in different locations to see | | | | that you can't force creativity. You can only allow |
| whether it makes it easier to come up with ideas. | | | | it. Daydreaming, brainstorming, and the creation of |
| I love my little Palm PDA (Personal Digital | | | | symbols are all ways of giving yourself permission |
| Assistant) because I can write anywhere --- in a | | | | to be creative. |
| computer checkout line, when I go for a walk, in | | | | If you use affirmations, try this: "I allow myself to |
| the library. | | | | be creative". Relax, and allow your creativity to |
| Often, when you try to brainstorm in the place | | | | bubble up. |
| you associate with "serious" work, like your office, | | | | Try the above processes whenever you want to |
| it's hard to stay in a creative mood. | | | | be creative. They're easy, and they work. |
| So try brainstorming in bed, in the living room, in | | | | Remember to switch off your thinking mind, and |
| the mall --- anywhere you happen to be. | | | | you'll be as effortlessly creative, and as happy, as |
| => Create personal symbols, and manipulate | | | | a small child making mud pies or building |
| them | | | | sandcastles. |