What is your secret superpower?

What is your secret superpower?
Art is not only something you see in a museum or a gallery. Art is something you do every day, in your own way. Artistry is how you express yourself, how you solve problems, how you make the world a better place.

Some people paint, write, or draw. Some people design buildings or shoes. These are familiar examples of creativity. But there are many other ways people create, some while not even recognising how great their work is. Some people are terrific at sales. Countless others find creativity in accounting solutions, raising money for charities, or even serving in supermarket checkouts. These are valuable and important creative expressions, even works of art. Continue reading “What is your secret superpower?”

Changing Me: Reigniting Our Creative Spark

Growth and change are part of our life journey

Change is a constant companion on life’s journey. It’s the river that carries us forward, shaping and moulding our identities. We’re so busy in the flow of daily change that we sometimes miss the profound impacts on our creative selves.

Do you remember finding the first grey hair?

Personal change, through growth and creative development, is rarely about abrupt shifts. It’s our subtle transformations that occur as we journey through life’s phases. These changes, whether welcomed or not, offer opportunities to reinvent and re-energise ourselves. Continue reading “Changing Me: Reigniting Our Creative Spark”

How to Find Your Creative Voice

How to find your creative voice

Creativity resides within each of us, but at times, it seems elusive. It’s often buried beneath layers of doubt and inhibition. We find ourselves tangled in the expectations of others or shackled by the fear of falling short. Yet, like any other skill, creativity thrives with exercise. It is a muscle that strengthens through practice. Your unique creative voice is waiting for you to discover it.

Here are invaluable insights to help you uncover and nurture your creative voice: Continue reading “How to Find Your Creative Voice”

How to Build a Strong Elevator Pitch

What's your elevator pitch?
What’s an elevator pitch? You get in a lift and you notice the other passenger is Peter Jackson. Do you nod (in the polite way your mother taught you) and stare at the lights? Or do you smile, and say, “Hello Peter, I’m the best animator you’ll meet today.” And then launch into your brief, compelling sales message.

And that’s it in a nutshell. An elevator pitch is a short, persuasive speech. You put your best foot forward, introduce yourself, and present your business or ideas. It should be brief enough so you can deliver it in the time it takes to ride an elevator, or about 30 seconds.

Here are some tips for building a strong elevator pitch: Continue reading “How to Build a Strong Elevator Pitch”

Prospecting for Creative Success

Pitching for Creative Success
Whatever your field – writing, illustration, design – there’s one universal truth. Creativity is your superpower. But all creatives need to harness their bravery when it comes to prospecting for new business. From there, they need courage to turn clients into satisfied partners.

The Journey of Courage

Prospecting is the gentle art of seeking new business opportunities. It’s an essential first step to creative success. Some people love the process. They see it as an adventure that requires both creativity and courage. The journey sometimes begins with careful identification of potential clients or collaborators. Other times circumstances means you have to dive headfirst into the unknown. You swallow your fears and you present your ideas with no prior planning – the famous elevator pitch. Continue reading “Prospecting for Creative Success”

Procrastination, ADHD, and creativity

Sad dog longing for walk
Creative people are not immune from flat days. Days when staying bed seems too much. But for some people, procrastination is more than putting things off until tomorrow. Procrastination numbs their lives leading to heart-break, depression, and worse.

Taming procrastination is possible – let’s look at ways to find solutions. It demands digging into the root psychological dynamics that add to this behaviour.

Procrastination often emerges as a way to cope with anxiety or fear of failure. This way of coping can result from perfectionism or feeling overwhelmed by the task (or tasks) at hand. Some day, the simplest routines like walking the dog feel impossible. Continue reading “Procrastination, ADHD, and creativity”

Harness the Power of Your Self-Talk

Harness the power of your self-talk

We spend half of our waking hours talking to ourselves. Our self-talk – the internal dialogue is our constant companion. It influences our attitudes, behaviours, drives our creative success, and determines our well-being. It’s a tricky thing, because our self-talk is usually made up of replays from the past – both kind words and cruel.

Positive self-talk uplifts us in moments of doubt and uncertainty. It builds belief in our abilities and that’s vital for achieving our goals and dreams. Optimistic self-talk encourages us to take risks, accept challenges, and be persistent. Continue reading “Harness the Power of Your Self-Talk”

Creativity sparks up your life

Boy on a swing, creatively sparking up his life.

Creativity isn’t about producing art or innovation. It’s a dynamic force that weaves with our well-being and positive human functioning. The act of creation has far-reaching effects that extend beyond the canvas, the page, or the screen. It impacts our mental, emotional, and even physical dimensions. In short, it contributes to a holistic sense of fulfilment and vitality.

At its core, creativity, how ever you present it, is a form of self-expression. It allows us to channel our thoughts, emotions, and experiences into tangible forms. Creativity provides an outlet for the complexities within us. The process of self-expression also fosters a deeper understanding of our inner world. It contributes to enhanced emotional intelligence and self-awareness. Continue reading “Creativity sparks up your life”

The Path to Positive Self-Change

A man transforms himself in a field in Morocco.
The Path to Positive Self-Change – it’s a journey of creativity. Personal transformation is often the driving force that propels us forward. We ask ourselves, “What steps can we take to change ourselves and amplify our creative prowess?” Embarking on this path demands self-awareness, intention, and consistent effort.

Self-awareness serves as the foundation for transformation. Begin by recognising the aspects of yourself that you wish to enhance. Is it self-confidence, time management, or embracing a growth mindset? Pinpointing your goals allows you to craft a roadmap for change. Continue reading “The Path to Positive Self-Change”