Discovering Your Creative Self
I can't tell you how many times I've heard someone say they're not creative. I try my best not to make a face that gives away how I feel about that statement. But everyone has a creative side. It’s innate. The problem is, for many of us, that muscle has just been dormant for far too long.
You can tap into your wellspring of creativity by trying a few simple exercises. But a quick warning: If you're approaching this with negative self-judgment, you're already working against yourself. Instead, let’s start with the idea that your talent, like your knowledge when you first started your career, is still in its infancy.
Suspend judgment. Whatever you create is exactly what it needs to be. Don’t compare yourself to Van Gogh, Tolstoy, Michelangelo, or the rock star of your choice.
Use “What if…” often. I once asked my friend and author Jeffrey Markowitz how he comes up with his ideas. His answer was clear: he kept asking himself, What if this happened? What if that happened? Out of those questions came some really great books.
Give your brain a rest. Allow your mind to wander without outside stimulation.
Doodle and scribble. Mess around with Play-Doh. Pick up a pack of crayons or markers. (I steal my granddaughters’ crayons all the time... shhhh, don’t tell them.)
Experiment joyfully. Whatever the medium, let yourself play.
Meditate, journal, or jot down your dreams. Do whatever gets your creative juices flowing.
One word of caution: You must keep your critical self at bay. The more you judge, criticize, and find fault with your effort, the farther away you will get to mining the vein of gold that lies within you.
Let me know how you do!!