| There are times when it can feel like you have simply | | | | use imagery to evoke a relaxing scene in your mind. |
| run out of good ideas. This is the classical "writer's | | | | *PRACTICE RELAXATION, MEDITATION, OR YOGA. |
| block," and you don't have to be a writer to | | | | Inducing a relaxed state of mind and clearing your |
| experience this phenomenon. No matter what you do | | | | mind of clutter will help you focus in the present |
| for a living, your creativity can be one of your best | | | | moment. You will be surprised at the creativity that |
| resources. What can you do to boost your creativity | | | | returns to you once your mind has been freed of |
| when you feel as though you just can't access that | | | | the clutter of your daily thoughts and worries. |
| part of yourself? Take advantage of the mind-body | | | | *SCHEDULE FOR CREATIVITY. Notice the days and |
| connection to boost your creativity. There are a | | | | times of day you are most likely to be creative and |
| number of simple things you can do to clear your | | | | have good ideas. Rearrange your schedule to best |
| head and get your creative juices flowing. | | | | utilize those times for your creative endeavors. Treat |
| *EXERCISE. Step away from your project and go for | | | | this like an appointment with yourself. Do not let |
| a walk, or head to the gym. Exercise promotes the | | | | other matters intrude on this important time. |
| flow of oxygen to your brain. Exercise also releases | | | | *GET COACHING. Coaching is an excellent way to |
| stress-relieving endorphins and decreases the levels | | | | get your creativity flowing again. As a coach, I love |
| of cortisol (i.e., stress hormone) in your body. All of | | | | to work with creative clients. Even the most creative |
| these positive side effects of exercise will help to | | | | person sometimes feels stuck, or has difficulty |
| get your creativity going again. | | | | implementing creative ideas. Having a supportive |
| *GET PLENTY OF SLEEP. Be sure you are getting | | | | coach to assist you in brainstorming and developing |
| sufficient sleep. In our fast-paced world, it's easy to | | | | specific plans to implement creative ideas can move |
| short-change yourself on sleep. We need at least | | | | you much further along than when you work alone. |
| eight hours of sleep to be fully alert and functioning | | | | An example that comes to mind is a woman with |
| at our best. It is impossible to come up with your | | | | whom I recently talked to about business ideas. For |
| best ideas when you are sleep deprived. | | | | several years, she has had the idea of marketing her |
| *GET AWAY. Take a vacation or mini-vacation for a | | | | creative therapeutic interventions to other therapists, |
| change of pace and scenery. Do something totally | | | | but she has never had a plan for moving forward |
| outside of your ordinary routine. This will help you to | | | | with her business. After just a few conversations, |
| see the world differently and get a fresh | | | | she is developing a website and products she will be |
| perspective. If now is not a good time for a vacation | | | | marketing to other therapists. The support of a |
| to the Bahamas, take a mini-vacation. This can be as | | | | coach can be of tremendous value as you take |
| simple as a 5-minute break to close your eyes and | | | | action to put your creativity to work! |