Creativity Coaching
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.
Continue reading “How Creative People Can Stay Ahead and Thrive with AI”
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”
Creativity in business isn’t just a desirable trait; it’s a driving force behind innovation. Entrepreneurs who embrace creativity stand to unlock new opportunities, solve complex problems, and set their ventures on a path of continuous growth. Here’s how creativity fuels innovation in business and what entrepreneurs can do to harness its power.
The Marriage of Creativity and Innovation: A Dynamic Duo for Business Success
Innovation isn’t just about coming up with the next big idea; it’s about implementing novel solutions that bring value to customers and streamline operations. This is where creativity shines. Creative thinking allows entrepreneurs to approach challenges from unconventional angles, paving the way for innovative breakthroughs. A creatively charged environment fosters a culture of open-mindedness, exploration, and risk-taking – essential components for staying ahead in competitive markets. Continue reading “A Dynamic Duo for Business Success”
Creativity is a broad term that can mean different things to different people. For some, it might mean painting a beautiful picture or writing a moving poem. For others, it might mean coming up with a new business idea or solving a difficult problem.
But what is the most creative act a person can do?
I believe that the most creative act a person can do is to be themselves. This means being true to who you are, even if it means being different from everyone else. It means following your own path, even if it’s not the easiest one. And it means being brave enough to express yourself, even if you’re afraid of what others might think.
Being yourself is the most creative act because it’s the only thing that no one else can do. It’s the only thing that’s truly original. And it’s the only thing that can truly make a difference in the world.
When you’re being yourself, you’re not just creating something new. You’re also inspiring others to be themselves. You’re showing them that it’s okay to be different, and that they can make a difference in the world too.
So if you’re looking for the most creative act you can do, I encourage you to be yourself. Be brave. Be different. And make a difference.
Here are some tips for being more creative: Continue reading “What is the Most Creative Act a Person Can Do?”
Do you know what a blind spot is? It’s an area around a car that the driver can’t see. Blind spots can be dangerous, but they can also be a great way to discover new things. Just perhaps not in your car…
In our lives, we also have blind spots. These are things we can’t see or understand about ourselves. But don’t worry, there are ways to discover your blind spots and unlock your hidden talents.
Here are three ways to explore your blind spots:
Continue reading “How to Discover Your Hidden Talents: Exploring Your Blind Spots”
As the business landscape rapidly evolves, tinkering around and thinking outside the box has become an ever more essential skill for success. While the phrase may sound cliché, its underlying message is more relevant than ever. To thrive in a competitive market, businesses need to foster a vigorous culture of creativity and innovation that smashes far beyond the traditional boundaries.
Why Traditional Approaches Fall Short:
Traditional business practices and conventional thinking can only take an organisation so far. In a world marked by constant change and disruptive technologies, businesses must break free from the status quo. By clinging to familiar methods, companies risk being left behind while their competitors embrace forward-thinking strategies. Continue reading “Embracing Innovation: The Key to Business Success”
My Dad told me, “Always paddle your own canoe.” It was kind of a family joke because he’d been given a canoe, tried it out on the farm dam, and discovered why he’d been given the canoe. Ignoring the water weeds and my mother’s laughter, I think he’s absolutely right. Paddle your own canoe. Do the work, create your own way in the world.
In today’s business world, creativity is more important than ever. While there’s limited value in reinventing the wheel, riffing off an idea and enhancing a new version. It’s the key to standing out from the competition and finding new and innovative ways to succeed.
Creativity allows businesses to differentiate themselves from their competitors. By focusing on innovation and coming up with fresh ideas, organisations can offer unique products, services, and experiences that capture the attention and loyalty of customers. In a sea of similar offerings, creativity sets businesses apart and makes them memorable.
It’s just on 220 years since the first horseless carriage was used in London. While it was a phenomenal leap of inventive genius, today’s most basic car is a vast jump in terms of speed, comfort, and efficiency. Creativity fuels problem-solving and drives innovation. When faced with challenges, businesses that foster a creative mindset can find effective solutions. They can adapt to changing market demands, identify emerging trends, and seize new opportunities. Creativity gives businesses the agility and flexibility they need to navigate an ever-evolving business world.
So, how can you unleash your creative potential and leverage it as a competitive advantage? Here are a few tips: Continue reading “Creativity as a Competitive Advantage”
Have you ever wondered where those amazing ideas that change the world come from? You’re not alone in wanting to explore the fascinating world of creative thinking and discover the unexpected sources from which great ideas spring forth. Whether you’re an aspiring artist, a scientist, or simply a curious mind, understanding the origins of great ideas can inspire and empower your own creative journey.
Curiosity and Wonder
Great ideas often arise from a sense of curiosity and wonder about the world around us. Asking questions, observing the details, and nurturing a sense of awe can open the door to new insights and innovative thoughts. So next time you’re feeling bored or uninspired, try taking a closer look at the world around you. You might be surprised at what you find!
Connecting the Dots
Many groundbreaking ideas come from connecting seemingly unrelated concepts. By exploring different fields and disciplines, you can draw connections between ideas that others might overlook. So don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and explore new things. You never know where your next great idea might come from! Who knows? That unexpected cream pie in the face might be just the breakthrough inspiration you’ve been looking for.
Embracing Failure
Believe it or not, failure can be a fertile ground for great ideas. Mistakes and setbacks often lead to valuable lessons and unexpected breakthroughs. So don’t be afraid to fail! Embrace it as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Mindfulness and Reflection
Quiet moments of reflection and mindfulness can be powerful catalysts for great ideas. By giving yourself space to think, meditate, or simply be present, you create an environment where creativity can flourish. So take some time each day to disconnect from distractions and tune in to your own imagination.
Collaboration and Sharing
Great ideas are not always born in isolation. Collaborating with others, sharing thoughts, and engaging in meaningful discussions can spark new perspectives and inspire innovative ideas. So surround yourself with diverse voices and be open to collaboration as a powerful tool for idea generation. Help out with a charitable organisation – perhaps for the environment or to help humanity – or even an elderly neighbour.
Conclusion
Great ideas are magical and can emerge from the most unexpected places. By nurturing curiosity, embracing failure, making diverse connections, and allowing moments of reflection, you can unlock the wellspring of creativity within you. Remember, creativity knows no boundaries or limitations. Explore, experiment, and never stop asking, “Where do great ideas come from?” Keep seeking, and you will discover a world of endless possibilities waiting to be unleashed. Let your imagination soar, and watch as your own great ideas shape the world around you.
Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash
In our fast-paced world, it can be hard to find time to take a break. Worse than that, if you’re driven, you feel guilty or bad if you’re not working 24/7 (and the weekends too). But did you know that taking breaks can actually help you be more creative?
That’s right! When we’re constantly working, our brains can get overwhelmed and fatigued. This can make it difficult to think clearly and come up with new ideas. But when we take a break, our brains have a chance to rest and recharge. This allows us to come back to our work with a fresh perspective and renewed energy.
In addition, taking breaks gives our brains a chance to “incubate” ideas. Incubation is the process of subconscious thinking that happens when we’re not actively working on a problem. This is when our brains make connections between different ideas and come up with creative solutions.
So, how can you take breaks that boost your creativity? Here are a few tips:
Taking breaks doesn’t mean you have to stop working altogether. You can still be productive while you’re taking a break. Just make sure to do something that relaxes you and helps you clear your head.
So, next time you’re feeling stressed or stuck, take a break. Your creativity will thank you for it!
Here are some additional benefits of taking breaks:
So, what are you waiting for? Start taking a few deliberate breaths and a fewbreaks today and see how they can boost your creativity and overall well-being.
Photo by Rob Mulally on Unsplash
Failure is an ugly place, I’m not going to pretend it’s not. I hate it when my plans don’t turn out.
Even as I write this I can feel the bitter taste of failure welling up in my throat. You might recognise that taste, that feeling, too. I wish I could give you some deep and meaningful quotes that makes it all go away. But it doesn’t. It’s a condition of being alive and you can take some comfort in being alive.
Sometimes that’s a small comfort. I know that. Things go wrong and *bang* I’m that determined (but misguided) four year old who sewed the oven cloth to my clothes. By mistake or misunderstanding, it makes no difference, the only way out was cutting my work off me. My sister made a big deal of my failure, and that really hurt.
I’ve failed so many times I’ve finally began to build a relationship with failure. Along the way I’ve learned a few tricks to make the depressing ditchwater taste a little better. Here are a few suggestions – tips for how to cope:
Continue reading “How to cope with failure”
