The chance to offer creative support to other people is my absolute favorite part of the whole creative process. It’s like having a spy glass that peeks into what lights up a person’s heart, then sprinkling in a bit of encouragement to help them expand an idea into something they can touch and feel. If you’ve been reading my blog for a bit, you already know I’m passionate about supporting others as they dig into their own inner creative (and we all have one). What you might not realize is how … [Read more...]
Creativity Kick-Start: Inspiration by Nature
April 21, 2014 By 2 Comments
This week’s creativity kick-start takes you away from the mental grind and four office walls into nature to find inspiration. The beauty of nature is far beyond what we can physically see at first glance. It's present in the simple design of a leaf as easily as it's camouflaged deep into the grooves of a tree trunk, hidden from view unless you search for it. To get inspired by nature it helps to be outdoors and experience it, yet, reading books, browsing photos or watching nature programs is … [Read more...]
Creativity Kick-Start: Tickle your Funny Bone
April 14, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Laughing is a powerful way to release stress and heal, but it’s also great for a creativity kick-start. The positive impact laughing has on health, mindset and overall attitude is not only medically proven, but is also an actual form of yoga. While doing something as simple as laughing to crack open creativity seems almost too easy, the trick is in making sure it’s simple to weave a few giggles throughout your day, effortlessly. A tool as expansive as the internet invalidates any and all … [Read more...]
Weekly Creativity Kick-Start: Reconnect with a Creative Childhood Toy
April 7, 2014 By Leave a Comment
When you are a kid creativity doesn’t require fancy tools or lots of planning. It’s spontaneous, heartfelt, and a natural part of your expression. To revisit with that more playful part of you, it can be a lot of fun to reconnect with a creative childhood toy you’ve always loved and watch what happens. For me it was crayons. I love the expansive range of colors, the fun names and possibilities waiting right in the palm of my hand. Even though I am not an artist by any means (I still draw … [Read more...]
Weekly Creativity Kick-Start: Plant a Real Seed to Pair with a New Idea
March 31, 2014 By 4 Comments
This week’s creativity kick-start is about pairing thoughts with action. When you think of an exciting new creative idea it initially feels electric and fun, but it can just as quickly lose momentum when you become distracted by...life. So what better way to remind yourself to water, tend to and nourish a new idea then to plant a brand new actual seed at the same time? Seasons don’t matter - there is always a way to work with a seed or starter plant in your home. All it takes is a windowsill … [Read more...]
Weekly Creativity Kick-Start: Tracking Inspiration
March 24, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Tracking inspiration is one of the easiest ways to ensure you have quality ideas for a creativity kick-start when your flow is feeling low and slow. With a busy life, inspiration often visits you at what I like to call the “in-between” times; during a walk, shower or while you drift off daydreaming over lunch. So before the “creative tingles” float off, what tools do you use to make sure you capture its essence? With so many high-tech AND low-tech tools to choose from, it’s not … [Read more...]
Weekly Creativity Kick-Start: Listen to New Music
March 17, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Music can be one of the best ways to fuel a creativity kick-start when you are feeling out of ideas or gearing up to tackle a big project. And while your trusty music library full of carefully cultivated playlists and old favorites can help do the trick, there is something about checking out new music that can infuse fresh energy into your creative attitude. As an equal opportunity employer when it comes to music, I’m open to listening to anything once. When those first few notes … [Read more...]
Weekly Creativity Kick-Start: Volunteer for a Cause that Speaks to your Heart
March 10, 2014 By Leave a Comment
It’s easy to get caught up in routines to give your life structure, but creativity has it’s own path and flow, striking when something speaks to your heart. The creative spark isn’t a planned event, but an emotionally engaging one with unique triggers that set your inner fire in motion. So if you are feeling a bit stuck and stale or struggling to get in touch with your inspiration, why not volunteer to expand your heart and fire up a creativity kick-start through volunteering? Creativity Starts … [Read more...]
Weekly Creativity Kick-Start: Clear Out Online Clutter
March 3, 2014 By Leave a Comment
In the digital age, online clutter and can pile up faster than a storm dumping snow in the mountains of Colorado. Online clutter can also easily start messing with your creative flow, especially if you are faced with old emails, contacts and never ending spam each time you get in front of the computer. If you find that your energy seems zapped more than usual after you’ve been on the computer and you are unable to focus, it might be time to do a bit of online spring cleaning for a creativity … [Read more...]
Weekly Creativity Kick-Start: Break One of your Own Rules
February 24, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Have you ever thought about where you stand in your relationship with rules around creativity or self-expression? Are you a rule breaker and trend setter, or do you find comfort in a bit of conformity because it keeps you feeling safer, less exposed? Maybe you just complain about the rules in society or work and how they impact your creativity because changing them feels overwhelming. But there is another possibility… Are you building and enforcing your own rules around creative expression, … [Read more...]