Developing Creativity   by Sandy MacGregor

in Health / Mental Health    (submitted 2012-02-01)

Enhancing Creativity

Most people probably have memories of being creative in their childhood and absolutely loving it. Using our creativity is one of the first ways we learn - using playdoh, plasticine, paints, crayons, colouring in, threading beads, French knitting, gluing mosaics, cutting out, making small pottery items and much more.

As we progressed through life perhaps our creativity was no doubt stifled in favour of the more left brain activities such as mathematics. Opportunities to explore and express our creativity seemed to diminish if not disappear completely.

Recapture Some Childhood

You may have woken up one day as an adult and thought that you might like to recapture some of that childhood, carefree creativity. Well you can - creativity is certainly not just the domain of those we call artists. And whether or not you recognise it, you are probably constantly using your creativity to think of better ways of doing something, to fix a problem around the home, create a new and exciting meal, knitting a jumper or make a business plan.

Authors, inventors, actors, musicians, singers, comedians, performers, are all expressing their creativity in an artistic and very obvious way. These traditionally creative fields are not the only areas of expression of creativity. Also expressing their creativity are business people, scientists, parents. Indeed we all do express our creativity in some way, no matter how small that may be. And we all have that spark within us that is capable of being creative. Creativity can mean something different to each of us and we all have individual talents and interests. With training and using certain techniques we can all rediscover our creativity.

Be Aware of Your Inner Voice

Creativity is not just the domain of the so-called gifted and there are ways of developing and enhancing creativity. Research has shown that having a positive attitude can sometimes be beneficial in allowing our creativity to emerge. Using our own minds with guided imagery and meditation can help to stimulate and encourage creativity. We talk to ourselves many times a day and that inner voice can sometimes be negative if we are unaware and allow it to run unchecked. We can be our own harshest critic and we need to turn around any negative self talk to be positive and reassure ourselves of our confidence and abilities. Your inner voice may be trying to protect you from being judged or from failure or embarrassment. However you may be surprised by just how much you can achieve when you have the added assistance of your own mind.

For Great Deals in Self Improvement or Self Help visit the Deals Site where you can get up to 90% off.

Try Something New

To release your dormant creativity be prepared to try something new and be open to change and variety. For creativity to flourish we may need to leap out into uncertainty and be prepared to a risk.

Reading can help to enhance your knowledge and range of skills in preparation to relaunch your creative self. Listening to inspirational music or DVDs or CDs of successful and motivational people can be helpful. Keep a journal and make mind maps. Keep an open mind and allow your curiosity full rein.

Sometimes creating a separate and stimulating environment in which to meditate or to work can be helpful. There are many colours and shades in this world, so lash out and experiment with using colour in your environment.

Hesitate no longer and seize the day. Remain positive and go for your dreams.

About the Author

Sandy MacGregor is a Civil Engineer, a retired Australian Army Colonel and was awarded the Military Cross and American Bronze Star for bravery in Vietnam's Cu Chi Tunnels. He commanded the Original Tunnel Rats. He learnt a mind technique from his son who had already used it to help his own Asthma and to save his own leg from amputation. Sandy applied it to weight release - 49 pounds (22 Kgms) and to controlling blood pressure. He even found inner strength after the tragic murder of his three daughters using these same techniques. Now as a best-selling author of 6 books, multiple CDs and DVDs he teaches scientifically proven mind techniques benefiting hundreds of thousands over the last 20 years.