Physical movement is excellent for all aspects of your health. There are endless studies, statistics and experts I could quote to support that statement, but it’s something you likely already know and are making an active choice (or not) to add to your life. You probably also have a go-to exercise option, even if you don’t use it nearly enough. So...I’m going to ask you to try something a little different. Just for a moment, set aside the obvious benefits of physical movement, and … [Read more...]
Creativity Kick-Start: Physical Movement Cranks up Inspiration and Creative Reserves
May 26, 2014 By 1 Comment
Creativity Kick-Start: Inspiring Creative Space is a Cornerstone of a Creative Budget
May 19, 2014 By Leave a Comment
An inspiring creative space makes connecting with your inner creative guidance so much easier. When there is clutter, reminders of unfinished work or a stack of bills staring at you, creativity easily hides in your growing pile of “some day” excuses. Lack of a creative brainstorm space can also make you feel as if you are in a constant state of re-igniting creativity instead of playing with it. All a good inspiring creative space really needs to be is an area to focus and tune in … [Read more...]
Are you Sticking to a Creative Vision or Stifling It?
May 8, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Creative vision is a blend of what you know, feel and desire crafted into an ideal version of what’s possible. It’s a wish list on steroids driven by imagination. I love to play with ideas and see where they take me, but playtime can’t last forever if I want to turn an idea into something tangible. So with ideas that feel juicy and exciting I ask myself a few questions, “Am I ready to take the action steps to make this happen? Is this something I can commit to and see it … [Read more...]
How to Know When a Creative Idea is Ready to Share
May 1, 2014 By Leave a Comment
When you are inspired by a creative idea it’s so much fun to play with it, to smooth out the rough edges and see where it takes you. Making tweaks, changing the flow and watching it expand is all part of the experience, coupled with the frustration, fear and chaos which is also normal. So with this vast range of input during the creative process, how do you know when it’s time to share a creative idea with others? How can you tell the difference between fear, excitement and choosing the best … [Read more...]
Creative Fuel and Pushing Empty
April 10, 2014 By 2 Comments
Creative fuel is just like the fuel you use in a car. No gas, the car is staying put and you are probably going to be pretty grumpy. No creative fuel, it’s going to be challenging to keep rolling, crafting, writing, brainstorming, working or creating at all, and you will most likely feel grumpy, or unable to connect to your creative flow. The body can also start to feel anxious and frazzled, which gets the mind to kick in and start painting a fearful picture of “stuckness” or a … [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...]
Stress and Creative Genius: The Playful Art of Push and Pull
March 27, 2014 By 1 Comment
Stress can inspire creative genius, especially when you are pushed into a corner and have to figure something out in a flash. This high-octane approach can work in small doses when it creeps up on you (see procrastination) but it’s not the best solution for long-term creative inspiration. Stress is especially challenging for sensitive folks, who quickly get burnt out and take a while to recover a sense of balance to get back in sync. I believe there can be a balance between these … [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: 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...]
Balancing Tension Between Productivity and Creative Flow
March 6, 2014 By 2 Comments
Productivity is a common benchmark for determining perceived value in the world of work, but while ticking items off a to-do list can feel fulfilling, using the same approach to measure the value of your creative flow falls flat. That’s why you may sometimes feel a sense of underlying tension around expressing yourself creatively - there’s no set way to determine the value of the effort. You just need to trust the act of creating is valuable, and that can feel awkward for people used to more … [Read more...]