Creativity: Lessons Learned in 2007
2007 is drawing to a close and as I reflect on all the things I've learned this year, there are a couple things that I feel are pretty important lessons and wanted to share. They have to deal with being more creative - which I think everyone should strive to be ;)Lesson #1: Silence the inner critic. As a writer and artist I've often become a slave to my inner critic who tells me that an idea isn't "good enough". Well, I've learned that this inner critic is just my ego trying to protect me. This ego always wants to play it safe and do what everyone else is doing versus doing what I think will elevate me to another dimension in the world of creativity.
So, tell that inner critic to take a hike...
Lesson #2: Be in the moment. Have you ever worked on something and felt so absorbed in the process that you felt euphoric - in a state of absolute bliss? If you've ever reached this state, you can just feel that rush of creative juices flowing through your body. Ideas come to you much more easily and you don't have to force them to come.
If this is a challenge for you, try hanging out with kids for awhile. Kids are very good at being in the moment. Or you could hang out at Kim & Jason's blog. Their creativity will start to rub off on you!
Here's a great quote about creativity and being in the moment I found over at Beads By Ida:
“If you're having difficulty coming up with new ideas, then slow down. For me, slowing down has been a tremendous source of creativity. It has allowed me to open up -- to know that there's life under the earth and that I have to let it come through me in a new way. Creativity exists in the present moment. You can't find it anywhere else.” -- Natalie Goldberg
Here's a great article with more tips: Ten Steps for Boosting Creativity
Related Posts:
How to Be More Creative: Chocolate & Wine
Discovering and Fueling Creativity
If this is a challenge for you, try hanging out with kids for awhile. Kids are very good at being in the moment. Or you could hang out at Kim & Jason's blog. Their creativity will start to rub off on you!
Here's a great quote about creativity and being in the moment I found over at Beads By Ida:
“If you're having difficulty coming up with new ideas, then slow down. For me, slowing down has been a tremendous source of creativity. It has allowed me to open up -- to know that there's life under the earth and that I have to let it come through me in a new way. Creativity exists in the present moment. You can't find it anywhere else.” -- Natalie Goldberg
Here's a great article with more tips: Ten Steps for Boosting Creativity
Related Posts:
How to Be More Creative: Chocolate & Wine
Discovering and Fueling Creativity
On the book wishlist:Living the Creative Life: Ideas and Inspiration from Working Artists
