The Creative Mind - Creative Catalysts By Gail McMeekin @gmcmeekin ~

http://thecreativemind.net/creative-catalysts/

By Gail McMeekin


We know we are creative beings. Yet, we are also well aware that sometimes our creativity stalls, plays tricks on us, or appears to have vanished completely.

It is at those moments that we need to reconnect with our vitality around our creative process or project and leverage our inspirational powers to stimulate our ability to make new connections.
The following tips are meant to arouse your natural creative gifts so you can surmount those obstacles in your journey and achieve maximum potential.

Have fun with them and enjoy the wonder of discovery as you expand your imagination and allow yourself to be a conduit for excellent work!

1) Keep a daily excitement list about WHY you are passionate and committed to your exploration or project
2) Change your location–work on your project in bed, outside in nature, in a coffee shop, or a different room
3) Take a trip relating to your project to explore a facet of it
4) Go on vacation or take a day or two off and let it go and take a fresh look when you return
5) Or make a date with your project and go away for a period of time with it as your companion
6) Go to a toy store and find a toy like your project and play with it
7) Set up a series of experiments related to your project
8) Experience your project using the three learning styles of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic experiences. Draw a picture of it, make a mind-map of it, take a photo of it and play on photo-shop. Talk about your project to a tape recorder or a video recorder or teach a real/pretend class on the topic. Act it out with props and sets and maybe even other characters
9) Find a symbol or prop that represents your project and carry it around with you
10) Exercise regularly to clear your head
11) Create a water experience–sit in a hob tub, go swimming, take a shower, visit a spa
12) Record and follow intuitive clues
13) Meditate or pray about it
14) Select music that reminds you of your project and play it at the beginning of your work sessions
15) Initiate creative rituals such as lighting a candle or reading first, etc.
16) Find someone who is an opposite thinker (a devil’s advocate) and tell them about your project and let them challenge/stimulate your thinking
17) Put your inner critic in isolation for now
18) Visualize your end result and make a collage of images that support that vision
19) Collect objects like your project and keep them in a basket to ponder
20) Keep a file card packet in your office, car, etc. to jot down all related ideas and connections
21) Read related books, articles, etc. and take notes
22) Look for the metaphors–i.e.,how is your project like a pine tree?
23) Keep a separate journal/computer file for each project and keep track of all ideas and feelings
24) At the right time, share your project with trusted others and gather new insights
25) Use your fascinations to propel you ahead to take risks everyday

Try 3 of the above strategies to jump-start your creativity! Enjoy what you learn!
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gail_McMeekin
© 2005, Gail McMeekin, Creative Success, 2005. Please do not reprint or use without permission of the author.

Gail McMeekin, L.I.C.S.W., M.S.W. is a career/creativity coach and writer on personal, professional, and creative development. She is author of a number of books, including:
The 12 Secrets of Highly Successful Women: A Portable Life Coach for Creative Women
and
Boost Your Creativity, Productivity and Profits in 21 Steps

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