Finding Your Creative Voice – Part 2

Grab the lists you made from Part 1 of this series.  Start with the list of 20 words that define creativity for you.  Take a look at the words and see if you discover a theme.  For instance in my list I discovered the theme of energy and focus.  Many of the words I brainstormed were related to creativity as a practice involving energy and focus.  Knowing that I can now begin to look for how that theme manifests itself in my daily life, if it does at all.  I say this because often we know what we believe creativity is but sometimes due to responsibilities, policies, time constraints, doubt, and self-judgment we don’t always put these things into practice on a daily basis.

Once you have spent some time looking through your list of 20 words and have discovered a theme make a new list of ways in which you can begin to implement that theme of creativity into your daily life personally and professionally.  For instance, my theme of energy and focus helped me to see the benefit of regular exercise and a full nights sleep to make sure physically and mentally I am alert and feeling energized each day so as to not be distracted or low on energy.

Don’t overwhelm yourself.  In this new list of ways to implement your theme try and brainstorm things you can start immediately and some things that may take a little time to put into practice.  Once you have about 10 ways to implement your theme on the list make a commitment to yourself, and one other person. Accountability is always a key to  putting ideas into practice.

In part 3 we will address the other list you created from part 1 of this series.  Have fun and enjoy a new discovery everyday.
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Finding Your Creative Voice – Part 1

“I need to be more creative.”  This is a statement I hear many people speak when talking about their personal and professional goals.  The reality is this has as many different meanings as the people who say it.  Creativity is something that was once reserved for artists, creative directors, dreamers, inventors, and innovators. But not any longer.  No matter what you do, how old you are, what your goals are, or how you see yourself everyone has a creative nature that yearns to be tapped into.  In this 3 part series I am going to share some ideas and tools to get you started in finding your own creative voice.

Many of us are being asked to be more creative at work and in our personal lives.  We have been given permission to  pursue our dreams, our passions and to make a difference.  Innovative and creative companies and organizations have come to understand that their workforce is an endless resource of creative voices, all of whom can contribute to the next great idea.

So how then does one tap into their creativity?

I would like to share some basic starting points:

1.  Take some time and write down 20 words that you think defines creativity for you.  Note: This is what you think creativity is, not what others have told you it should be or what you think your boss, co-workers, significant other, colleagues, or clients would say it is.

2.  Make a list of things you’re passionate about personally and professionally.  Note:  This list can include anything from fully thought out goals to one word brainstorms about what you want to pursue with energy and passion.

In part 2 of this series we will take the next steps to help you discover your creative passions and give you advice on how to begin to listen to your creative voice.

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We offer classes and customized training and workshops.  New classes beginning in May.  For more information contact John Haynes john@actorsmn.org