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...]
Turn Waiting into Creative Gold
April 24, 2014 By 4 Comments
I think of creative gold as a state-of-mind rather than a goal to achieve. Even the richest ideas need a bit of simmering, giving them a chance to breathe and evolve. That doesn't mean it’s not frustrating as crap when every tingle of excitement is pushing you to take what’s in your mind and heart and expand it into something that has legs in the “real world”, timing be damned! There may also be situations when you take the leap and put a new idea out into the world, but people … [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...]
When Creative Tinkering Goes Wild
April 17, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Creative tinkering is part of any process. Fully shaped ideas don’t often (if ever) fall out of your brain without the need to fine tune them at least a bit to make them ready for prime time. While working with the seed of an idea can feel energizing and intoxicating, sometimes your brain won’t stop yapping at you long enough to let an idea live and breathe on it’s own. This is when you know you’ve encountered a bout of creative tinkering gone wild. Sound like you? Join the club! I’m a … [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...]
Gratitude for All Your Creative Helpers, Even the Ones that Sting
April 3, 2014 By Leave a Comment
The act of creating is very personal, but how you choose to express the inner self is always influenced by external creative helpers. Some are loving and supportive, sharing encouragement and reflecting your light so you can view yourself in a more objective way. Other “helpers” are the nay-sayers or challengers, the people and personalities that get you to stand your ground or question the authenticity of your creative identity. You need both kinds of creative helpers to help you … [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...]