I’m not too sure I agree with #3 as I have found a few programs that are truly inspiring. Let’s just say we might be more selective in what we watch … and let it go at that.
10 CREATVITY BOOSTERS
© 2004 by James Corless
We are all naturally creative but there are ways of making the most of our gifts. Here are ten ways to boost your creativity.
1. Exercise your brain.
“Use it – or lose it!” applies as much to your brain as it does to your body. Brains need exercise to stay fit. Read a lot – challenging material, talk to smart people, have debates/discussions, do crosswords, learn something new, but do things to give your brain a regular workout.
2. Don’t do drugs or get drunk.
Creativity requires a clear head. You may think you’re creative when you’re smashed or stoned but next day your ideas don’t look so brilliant. That’s if you can read your writing.
3. Don’t watch TV.
It’s not called the Idiot Box for nothing. Feed your mind a more nutritional diet than the dumbed-down time-killers they serve up on TV.
4. Feed your mind.
Read as much as you can about all manner of things. Read books, magazines, web pages, newspapers, notices and the back of the corn-flakes package. Read to find information about your area of interest. Read to discover new things. Read to be informed, entertained, challenged and stimulated. Reading exercises your brain, provides you with new information – the basic material that fuels inspiration.
5. Eat right to think good.
Eat a balanced diet (there’s plenty of information on the Internet) that sustains you. Poor nutrition affects your mind as well as your body. Vitamin B is essential for brain function. Common sources include chicken and eggs, organ meats and legumes. Minerals are also essential for correct physical and mental function. Take a multi-vitamin supplement, if necessary.
6. Ask questions.
Curiosity didn’t kill the cat. Curiosity kept her young and interested. And interesting, too. An enquiring mind is never bored. Children at school ask up to 65 questions a day. By the time we get to retiring age we’re down to asking only six (“Where can I sit down? What is the world coming to? etc)
7. Laugh.
Sadly, our laughter patterns follow the same downward curve as our question-asking – from 113 times a day as children to 11 as mature adults. Laughter is the best medicine. Thomas Edison started every day at work with a joke-telling session. The ability to laugh is a vital skill to creativity.
8. Play.
All work and no play makes anyone dull. Playing changes the mental gears, engages the right brain and lets the serious left-brain coast for a while.
9. Listen to music.
Play Bach. Or Mozart. When they played classical music to plants – they grew faster. When they played it to chickens, they laid more eggs. If you’re not more creative with Bach in the background, there could be something wrong with you. Or you’re not a chicken. Or a plant.
10. Enjoy silence.
Most of us live and work surrounded by distractions. Take time out for some peace, whether it means turning off the radio, going for a walk in the park or learning to meditate. Silence allows the mind to function more freely.
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James Corless is an artist, writer and creativity coach.
[Sadly, when I tried to open Corless' site, I couldn't, however this list still contains some helpful reminders, so I'm glad to include it ... maybe he will come back online with another URL.]
For more articles and creativity resources and free coaching visit
http://creativity101.com or email him at james@creativity101.com.
