The Art of Creativity: Thriving When You Have Nothing

Cable spool in a desert - The Art of Creativity: Thriving When You Have Nothing

Challenges are inevitable – that’s a given. But what about those moments when it feels like you’re running on empty? Creativity? You’re kidding – it’s all gone. As a leader, there will be times when inspiration seems scarce. It’s precisely during these moments that you can unearth some of your most innovative ideas. This article explores the art of being creative when you feel like you’ve got nothing.

1. Embrace Limitations:
Instead of viewing constraints as roadblocks, treat them as creative challenges. When resources are scarce, your ingenuity shines. Think of iconic brands like Apple that created revolutionary products with limited resources.

2. Step Away for Clarity:
Sometimes, the best way to boost creativity is to take a step back. Go for a walk, meditate, or engage in a brief relaxation practice. Have a shower, have a nap. Stepping away from the problem at hand can help you return with fresh ideas. Continue reading “The Art of Creativity: Thriving When You Have Nothing”

How Creative People Can Stay Ahead and Thrive with AI

Person with umbrella reflected in a puddle

Many creatives are feeling threatened by artificial intelligence (AI). There are stories of jobs vanishing, and of AI automating anything and everything. Some of that is true, AI is automating various aspects of work. There’s no need to become a postmodern Luddite. There’s still a significant role for human creativity.

Here’s how creatives can not only respond but thrive in this changing landscape

Continue reading “How Creative People Can Stay Ahead and Thrive with AI”

Embrace Lifelong Learning: Cultivating Personal Growth

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Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) is drawing to a close. Take a moment to reflect on the valuable lessons and insights you’ve gained. MHAW provides a dedicated space for mental health. But the lessons can extend far beyond a single week. They can enrich both your personal and professional life. Continuous learning is crucial in so many ways and it can be a driving force for holistic well-being.

The Power of Learning
Learning is a powerful tool for personal growth and mental well-being. Acquiring new knowledge or skills fosters a sense of accomplishment and competence. It ignites engagement with the world around us. The thirst for knowledge can be a source of inspiration, pushing us to explore new horizons. Continue reading “Embrace Lifelong Learning: Cultivating Personal Growth”

Fostering Meaningful Connections for Your Mental Wellness

Meaningful Connections by Trevor Romain

Thursday is the perfect day to focus on something that’s often missing from our busy lives – making meaningful connections. Make time for genuine interactions with friends, family, colleagues, or new acquaintances. It can boost your spirit and make a positive impact your mental well-being. And, of course, it can boost their mental well-being as well.

The Power of Connection
Incorporating “Connect” into your day may be the boost you need. This concept centres around nurturing social connections, a fundamental human need. Feeling connected, loved, and belonging tie in to improved well-being. It offers a sense of meaning, safety, support, and purpose in our lives. Continue reading “Fostering Meaningful Connections for Your Mental Wellness”

Take Notice: Balancing Work, Life, and Mental Well-Being

Monday: Take Notice by Trevor Romain

It’s Mental Health Awareness Week here in Aotearoa New Zealand. I think we might be the only country in the world that makes a kind of national festival raising awareness of mental health. Mental health issues are reaching crisis levels around the globe. Is there anything we can do to protect our loved ones and ourselves? What can we do about caring for our mental health?

Our careers and businesses demand our constant attention. It’s easy to become caught up in the relentless pursuit of success. The pressure to excel in both our professional and personal lives can take a toll on mental health. If you recognise this in yourself there’s some things you can do to help.

There’s a valuable lesson in mindfulness practices: the importance of taking notice. Continue reading “Take Notice: Balancing Work, Life, and Mental Well-Being”

Unlock Your Potential: Free Yourself from Past Decisions

Here's how to Unlock Your Potential: Free Yourself from Past Decisions.
Have you ever found yourself wondering what new heights you could reach? That is, if you weren’t held back by past decisions? It’s a common train of thought, especially for people a few years into their careers or businesses. The truth is, you have boundless potential waiting and you can unleash it. You can unlock your potential and free yourself from past decisions.

Here’s how to break free from the shackles of the past and explore new opportunities

Continue reading “Unlock Your Potential: Free Yourself from Past Decisions”

Storytelling: Better Work Stories

Crafting Compelling Narratives for Business Success

Effective communication is an essential. Of course, conveying facts and figures is a given. But after endless turgid presentations even the most focussed minds start to wander. The solution is to create an emotional connection with your audience. And that’s where storytelling comes into play.

The Power of Storytelling:
Storytelling is a timeless art that transcends generations and cultures. It’s a tool that captivates, persuades, and engages. When done right, it can be a game-changer for businesses and professionals alike.

Connecting on a Deeper Level:
We like to think our audience wants digital, instant app-driven magic. But grabbing and maintaining your audience’s attention is an age-old challenge. Facts and statistics alone may not cut it. A well-crafted narrative not only captures attention but also leaves a lasting impression. A positive impression is career building. Continue reading “Storytelling: Better Work Stories”

The Best You’ve Done Is Holding You Back


The new Olympic motto is Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together. Despite these ideals, elite athletes discover there are physical limits to their arts. Records become harder and harder to break.

Creatives don’t have these limitations. But it’s common to find ourselves clinging to past successes. That magic moment when everything came together. When we achieve a creative breakthrough the recognition we receive is gratifying. Often these achievements can hinder our creative progress. This is the paradox of the one-hit-wonder. It was amazing once, but now it’s a dry husk. We’ve taken our work as far as we can, and there’s nothing left.

The Comfort of Familiarity:
It’s always a struggle to reach a pinnacle in your creative journey. And when you do, it’s natural to want to bask in the glory of your accomplishments. There’s a comfort in continuing to do what’s brought you recognition and applause. The danger lies in becoming complacent. It becomes a comfort zone that’s hard to escape from. There’s a temptation to do more of the same. The risk is, replicating past successes will stifle you. Be willing to explore new horizons.

Fear of Falling Short:
The fear of not meeting the high standards you’ve set for yourself can be paralysing. The sweet nectar of success is so seductive. The thought of producing something less than stellar can be intimidating. This fear can lead to creative stagnation. Don’t hesitate to take risks or explore uncharted territory.

The man who never alters his opinion is like standing water, and breeds reptiles of the mind. ― William Blake ― The Marriage of Heaven and Hell

Continue reading “The Best You’ve Done Is Holding You Back”

Creativity and Intuition for Professionals

Vet using technique, creativity, and intuition with a cat
When you think of creativity, you might imagine artists, writers, musicians, or inventors. But creativity is not limited to these fields. Personal care professionals – massage therapists, dentists, veterinarians, opticians, and others rely on creativity. The very best also use intuition to provide excellent service to their clients.

Creativity is the ability to produce something new and valuable.

Intuition is an inner sense of knowing what to do without conscious reasoning. It is often based on subconscious cues, patterns, feelings, or impressions. It helps guide the decision-making process and enhances the creativity of the professional.

Both creativity and intuition develop from training, experience, and instinct. Continue reading “Creativity and Intuition for Professionals”