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Creative Catalysts

By: Gail McMeekin, Thu Dec 8th, 2005 08:45:08 PM

We are all originals and have the software to be creative. Yet, sometimes we feel blocked or uninspired and can't get our creativity to click. As creativity is about making new connections, try these 25 easy ways to stimulate your process or project:

1)Keep a daily excitement list about WHY you are passionate and committed to your exploration or project

2) Change your location-work on your project in bed, outside in nature, in a coffee shop, or a different room

3) Take a trip relating to your project to explore a facet of it

4) Go on vacation or take a day or two off and let it go and take a fresh look when you return

5) Or make a date with your project and go away for a period of time with it as your companion

6) Go to a toy store and find a toy like your project and play with it

7) Set up a series of experiments related to your project

8) Experience your project using the three learning styles of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic experiences. Draw a picture of it, make a mind-map of it, take a photo of it and play on photo-shop. Talk about your project to a tape recorder or a video recorder or teach a real/pretend class on the topic. Act it out with props and sets and maybe even other characters

9) Find a symbol or prop that represents your project and carry it around with you

10) Exercise regularly to clear your head

11) Create a water experience-sit in a hob tub, go swimming, take a shower, visit a spa

12) Record and follow intuitive clues

13) Meditate or pray about it

14) Select music that reminds you of your project and play it at the beginning of your work sessions

15) Initiate creative rituals such as lighting a candle or reading first, etc.

16) Find someone who is an opposite thinker (a devil's advocate) and tell them about your project and let them challenge/stimulate your thinking

17) Put your inner critic in isolation for now

18) Visualize your end result and make a collage of images that support that vision

19) Collect objects like your project and keep them in a basket to ponder

20) Keep a file card packet in your office, car, etc. to jot down all related ideas and connections

21) Read related books, articles, etc. and take notes

22) Look for the metaphors-i.e.,how is your project like a pine tree?

23) Keep a separate journal/computer file for each project and keep track of all ideas and feelings

24) At the right time, share your project with trusted others and gather new insights

25) Use your fascinations to propel you ahead to take risks everyday

**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+** Challenge: **+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**

Try 3 of the above strategies to jump-start your creativity! Enjoy what you learn!

© 2005, Gail McMeekin, Creative Success, 2005. Please do not reprint or use without permission of the author.

About the author: Gail McMeekin is a career/creativity coach and writer on personal, professional, and creative development. She is the author of The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women: A Portable Mentor and The Power of Positive Choices, both with Conari Press. Subscribe to her FREE monthly email newsletter Creative Success by clicking on her website: http://www.creativesuccess.com.

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