Top Ten Creative Strategies for Inspiring Creativity Where You Work and Play

Websites, automobiles, milk cartons, living spaces. Design saturates every aspect of our lives and the difference between success and failure could be the color purple, could be the person that you talk to every morning when you wake up, or could be the amount of light that streams into your office every day.

These ten steps will support you in revitalizing your environments and will foster an amazing sense of innovation. With these strategies, creativity will become much more than a goal?it will become a way of living.

1. Start by finding out what makes you "tick" with the DISC assessment.

The DISC is a fantastic tool that can provide you with amazing insight into understanding your behavior and will help you create motivational environments and interact more effectively with others.

Are you a high D (Dominance?)- You will thrive in an environment that is fast-paced, buzzing with energy, and somewhat chaotic. A week-end in a busy city like Manhattan, Atlanta, Chicago, or Hong Kong may provide you with the motivation you need to get your juices flowing.

Are you a high I (Inspirational?)- You will thrive in an environment filled with people. A high energy convention, a mastermind group, or a cutting-edge community organization can send you to amazing new levels of success.

Are you a high S (Steadiness?)- You will thrive in a calm and consistent environment. A day in a quiet park by the water can provide you with the balance and peace that you need to get the job done.

Are you a high C (Conscientiousness?)- You will thrive in an environment that is filled with order, facts, structure, and one that focuses on tradition. A day at a wonderful book store or a historical museum will often motivate a high "C" to move to new levels of inspiration.

2. Replace your old 45s by adding Beethoven to your life.

What songs are the old records in your mind playing? "I'm not smart enough. I can't do this. I don't have the money. I'm not well-connected enough." Break this pattern of negative thinking by popping in a CD of Ludwig van Beethoven. The year 1805 was a year of crisis for Beethoven, with his realization that the impaired hearing he had noticed for some time was incurable and would soon grow much worse. Did he let this stop him? Absolutely not! He actually sawed off the legs of his piano so that he could put his ear to the floor to feel the vibrations as he struck the notes of the keyboard. He came through this phase with determination strengthened and entered a new creative phase, during which Symphony No. 5 was born. Beethoven's music coupled with his heroism can provide you with a powerful source of energy, inspiration, and a sense of pure triumph.

3. Add a punch of Red to your life!

In the practice of Feng Shui it is important to know that Red is the color of fortune as it is a color of confidence. Moreover, it attracts recognition and respect for the person who uses it. Add red candles, red roses, or red paint to your home or office and watch closely as you unleash your creative spirit and as your boldness grows to new heights.

4. Master the Master.

Jack Fields, age 13, has over 22 tournament championships and 2 holes in one under his golf achievement belt. How did he do this? By mastering the master, Tiger Woods. During his free time, Jack reads books like How I Play Golf-- by Tiger Woods, In Search of Tiger: A Journey Through Golf With Tiger Woods-- by Tom Callahan and Tiger Woods: A Biography for Kids -- by Libby Hughes. He pours over Golf World and Golf Digest Magazine to find out what Tiger is up to, is incorporating Tiger's diet and workout regimen, and he practices putting while watching Tiger on television during his appearances on the PGA tour. Jack's focused study of this icon of the golfing world has stimulated him to come up with his own innovative style, quality processes, and to make smart decisions when the tournament heat is on!

5. Add an original twist to a traditional business by tapping into a hobby.

As visitors walk through the doors of Donna Lane, in Southern Pines, North Carolina, the aromas of jasmine, citrus, lemon, and roses mixed with the rich smell of coffee and mochas are enticing? making visiting this full service day spa an ideal location for renewing beauty, forgetting stress, and for getting reacquainted with old friends. CEO, Michelle Yow, is not only an expert in the field of extreme self care but is a connoisseur of fine coffees from around the world. By adding The Java Bean Plantation Coffee Company to her establishment, Michelle is able to dabble in a favorite hobby while enticing coffee lovers from her local community to take a closer look at her line of all natural skin care products. This is a clever strategy, and people love doing business with Michelle, because she is resourceful, inventive, and known for adding panache and pizzazz to a traditional business.

6. Create a feeling of warmth, comfort, and of "being home."

Accessories reflect a highly personal touch, and they are of paramount importance in the design and décor of not only a home but a place of business. No one knows this better than David Woronoff, President and Publisher of The Pilot Newspaper (www.thepilot.com.) Breaking away from the traditional publishing design schemes, David chose hard wood floors, corian countertops, and Oriental rugs for the renovation of The Pilot, adding an element of surprise, an intimate touch, and a homey feel to the interior of this growing community newspaper.

7. Create relationships that inspire you.

Are your relationships chipping away at your creativity and your zest for life? Or, are they simply supporting you to live a life of mediocrity and of living with the status quo? Hmmm?not quite enough. By developing relationships with people and colleagues who not only support you but actually inspire you, the vacuum of success can pull you forward in a flash! Dan Askins of (www.danaskins.com) is living proof of the profound affect that positive relationships can have on your life. Dan believes that success is all about making connections with high-energy colleagues, friends, customers, and companies. By forming a marketing mastermind group and opening a full concierge service in his executive office center, Dan is quickly advancing in the world of commercial real estate development, and he is finding the courage to try innovative ways of problem solving and of approaching the challenges of both his business and personal life.

8. Play Chess.

Chess is not simply a game?it is an amazing tool for the development of the mind, and it just so happens that it is a "board game." By adding a chess board to your home, small business, or corporation, this game can challenge you and your team to think fast, think under pressure, and to think several moves ahead. It is a fantastic game for developing vision, elements of strategic planning, and for anticipating a potential change from a customer or competitor.

9. Use your gifts and talents shamelessly.

One of the keystones of high achievement and happiness rests in your ability to exercise your talents, strengths, and gifts. As an attorney and President of a new chemical company, BenTech, Bob Friesen is a shining example of how building your life around a talent can translate into personal and career success. Bob has accessed his musical talent in a highly compelling way. With the support of a digital keyboard and his guitar, Bob has been able to use his talent to add extraordinary joy to his life, and he will soon be recording a demo of one of his many compositions. This exceptional use of talent has allowed this forward-moving professional the opportunity to play out his strengths to their fullest, which has resulted in an increase in his bottom line profits.

10. Build spaces of delight by merging the indoors with nature.

Whether it is a sun-filled breakfast or conference room, a beautiful potted plant, or a hummingbird feeder placed outside a common window, you can boost your spirits and create extraordinary joy by bringing nature into your home or office. After being challenged by the dark spaces of his basement office, Dr. Timothy Dey (www.deygroup.com) created a solution to this challenge by adding a Florida room to his home in Detroit, Michigan. Timothy now uses this room as his home office, and by filling his day with natural light, birds, trees, and all that nature has to offer, he has truly created a living and breathing environment that is warm, inviting, and truly inspiring.

About The Author

Bea Fields, Southern Pines, NC, USA

bea@fivestarleader.com

http://www.fivestarleader.com

Bea Fields is an Executive Coach and a Certified Guerrilla Marketing Coach. She is also a Consultant, Trainer, Public Speaker and author of the Five Star Leader e-course. Her area of expertise is that of Leadership Development and Marketing for Executives, Managers, Small Business Owners, and Political Leaders.

---

I Want To Create...

What would you like to create? A peaceful life, a... Read More

7 Techniques to Supercharge your Creativity and Solve your Problems

Do you ever encounter problems, challenges or obstacles in your... Read More

Creativity Management ? Sustainability through Passion

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Think Orange! Creativity and the Sacral Chakra

Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could just flick a... Read More

How Logic Puzzles Can Help You Become a Better Problem Solver

I have to admit that I am a confirmed puzzle-head.... Read More

3 Clever Creative Strategies!

I've got a confession to make... there are many ways... Read More

Business Innovation ? Personal Creativity

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Self-Care for Creative Artists: 5 Ways to Start Today

Self-care is the path to creative expression. By paying closer... Read More

How to be More Creative and Enhance Your Creativity

efore thinking about how to be more creative, let me... Read More

Creativity Stereotypes ? Are They Holding You Back?

Here's a quick quiz:1) When I see a see a... Read More

Creative Memory Tricks

What's the biggest problem with memory tricks? Remembering to use... Read More

Macrovision

These days it's all about breaking things down into manageable... Read More

Our Limitless Quantum Reality

Modern science tells us that on a sub-atomic level --... Read More

The Optimal Mind State

Let's begin by defining the optimal mind state and the... Read More

Charge Your Imagination (1)

"The challenges are not in the marketplace. They are in... Read More

Creative Thinking The Secret Key To Lasting Success

What is creativity anyway? Well, let us look at the... Read More

Becoming Radiant: Boost Your Teams Creativity with Mind Mapping

I don't take notes anymore. Instead, I create one wildly... Read More

A New Discovery Of An Old Secret

Some years ago, when the world seemed to close in... Read More

Creativity and Innovation Management : Why Products Fail!

There is no sure fire route to commercial success but... Read More

Its Time to Get Out of the Box

"It is never too late to be what you might... Read More

Stress VS Creativity

Now when I use the term "creativity", I mean the... Read More

Finding A Little Adventure

I have had more than my share of exciting times... Read More

We Tend To Make Up Our Own Truths: What Stories Are You Making Up?

Someone once said that man keeps looking for truth that... Read More

Problem Solving Techniques For Business And Life

Learning a few good problem solving techniques can improve your... Read More

New Inventions - From Absurd to Wacky!

New inventions? Heard of a revolving restaurant combination television tower?... Read More

Creativity Management ? Working From Real Life

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Forget Thinking Outside The Box....GET Outside The Box

I happened to overhear a conversation the other day between... Read More

Unleash Your Creativity and Think Your Way Out of the Box

The brain is a strange organ. It works in ways... Read More

Creativity Management ? Breaking Through The Mental Barrier

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

In between Luck & Effort

I have one magical thought, lets see it more closely.... Read More

Creativity Management ? Finding Your Voice

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Art, Artists and Money

Practical money tips for people in the arts.1. Sock it... Read More

Creativity Management ? Finish What You Start

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More