Category Archives: Creativity

Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way

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“Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way.”

—Edward deBono, 20th Century Maltese physician and commentator

Image from Unsplash by Vedrana Filipović

The other day, I was walking with a neighbor who also loves to cook.

In our discussion, I learned that his career is that of a food chemist, and that he often uses varied approaches to make his meals — especially his desserts.

Although there are many times it is appropriate to follow specific recipes to the letter, he was particularly animated when our conversation took a turn toward adjusting one’s approach — particularly when certain ingredients are not available.

EXERCISE:

Where and how can you think and operate outside your cookbook of success to whip up some new and creative recipes to spice up your life?

“Always create before you consume.”

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“Always create before you consume.”

—Rich Litvin, co-author of The Prosperous Coach

Image from Unsplash by Alyson McPhee

During our time in Florida as snowbirds, we eat out at least once — and sometimes multiple times — each day.

When we are not sharing meals with friends, we are usually tired and find ourselves eating leftovers from our excursions.

Although it’s easy and nice to have food prepared for us, I find even greater pleasure and satisfaction eating the foods we prepare at home with our own hands.

Somehow each dish just tastes better with the added love and attention that went into it.

EXERCISE:

Where in your life do you enjoy the creative process before you consume?

How does doing so add more sweetness and flavor to your world?

“If you want to avoid criticism, create less. If you want to avoid irrelevance, create more.”

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“If you want to avoid criticism, create less. If you want to avoid irrelevance, create more.”

—James Clear, American writer and speaker

Image from Unsplash by Jason Strull

To what degree are you a creator?

What do you and have you offered others over the years, and what feedback have you received?

Consider all the assignments you were given throughout your school years. In most cases you didn’t have the option of saying No without significant consequences.

How about your offerings on a vocational level in which some authority figure sets out the objective to be pursued?

What impact does your perspective of how others view your work have on your willingness to offer examples with your own initiative as the catalyst?

EXERCISE:

Where in your world do you withhold your creative efforts for fear of being criticized?

How would greater courage and a willingness to be vulnerable allow you to champion more of your ideas to make a bigger impact on the world?

Beauty is a free spirit and will not be trapped within the grid of intentionality.

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“Beauty is a free spirit and will not be trapped within the grid of intentionality.”

—John O’Donohue, late Irish poet, author, priest, and philosopher

Image from Unsplash by Kelly Sikkema

Have you ever tried to be intentionally creative?

Putting your head down and trying to focus on new possibilities is like trying to create breakthrough ideas in a group brainstorming session — it rarely works!

Alternatively, when we relax and have access to a lighter touch and a freer spirit, beautiful things often emerge.

EXERCISE:

Where has the power of intention held you back and limited your creative efforts?

Where might an unfocused or less rigorous approach act as a catalyst for new and wonderful things to occur?

 

“Halloween is an opportunity to be really creative.”

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“Halloween is an opportunity to be really creative.”

—Judy Gold, American stand-up comedian, actress, author, and producer

Image from Unsplash by Clint Patterson

Over the past few weeks, we watched several movies on the big screen at our local theater.

We usually enjoy the previews but in this case, the 20 — 30 minutes of previews included mostly scary, fear-inducing films, which are definitely not my cup of tea.

My upbringing and experiences with Halloween were very different. It was a time of self-expression in which we made instead of bought our costumes.

These creative efforts with our parents, siblings, and friends — along with all the candy — made this holiday extra sweet.

EXERCISE:

How can you enhance and expand your creativity on Halloween and through the coming holiday season?

How could more creating and less consuming contribute to an even more satisfying life?

Friday Review: Creativity

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Friday Review: Creativity

What place does creativity have in your life? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

 

“Creativity doesn’t wait for the perfect moment. It fashions its own perfect moments out of ordinary ones.”

 

 

 

“Innovation is born from the interaction between constraint and vision.”

 

 

 

“Some people look for a beautiful place, while other people make a place beautiful.”

 

 

 

 

What passions are stirring in you? How can you

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What passions are stirring in you? How can you use these ingredients to create the perfect dish to serve the world?

Image from Unsplash by NisonCo PR and SEO

I love to cook.

It is one of the passions that help me express my creativity and serve it up to those I love. I consider recipes as mere guidelines for consideration.

We recently bought 75 pounds of peaches as part of my wife Wendy’s annual canning efforts. She, along with myself and our daughter Rachel as helpers, spent the better part of two days turning these orbs of juiciness into precious gifts for friends and family. This year Wendy chose peach salsa as a new culinary adventure which included all sorts of peppers and spices we rarely use. With my cooking experience, I tweaked the recipe to keep the heat tolerable and tasty.

Unfortunately, I also experienced what is called pepper hands, which had me holding an ice pack for most of that evening!

EXERCISE:

What are your passions?

How frequently do you engage in these activities?

What are some new and creative ways you can and will serve them up to others in your various communities?

Creativity doesn’t wait for the perfect moment

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“Creativity doesn’t wait for the perfect moment. It fashions its own perfect moments out of ordinary ones.”

—Bruce Garrabrandt, Artist, Author, Speaker   

Image from Unsplash by Alice Dietrich

Where in your life do you experience the most creativity? Where are you and what are you doing during these special moments? I tend to experience many of these moments when I am cooking, coaching, and more recently, when playing with my grandchildren.

Adapting a recipe with new ingredients and spices, engaging in deep dialogue, and being open and playful during seemingly ordinary moments often generates both positive results and delight.  

Creative sparks are almost always the outcome of various elements coming together in new and different ways.

EXERCISE:

How can you combine seemingly ordinary moments and life ingredients into more creative ones? 

Consider welcoming other cooks into your kitchen to create something tasty today.

“It is difficult to be creative and enthusiastic about anything for which we do not feel affection.”

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“It is difficult to be creative and enthusiastic about anything for which we do not feel affection.”

—David Whyte, Anglo-Irish poet

Image from Unsplash by Dragos Gontariu

What are the things in life you love the most? Where do you find yourself being the most creative and enthusiastic?

Complete the following sentence. “I am looking forward to….”  Repeat this sentence five or six times for both your personal and professional efforts.

What activities and people spark your energy and engagement? Where and with whom do you find yourself going through the motions, waiting to punch out so that you can get on with the good parts of life?

EXERCISE:

Filter your day’s activities through the lenses of the words: More, Less, Start, and Stop. How does your affection and desires to engage in some of these pursuits enhance your enthusiasm and creativity?

“The best ideas rarely arise in one isolated mind, but rather develop in networks of curious and creative thinkers.”

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“The best ideas rarely arise in one isolated mind, but rather develop in networks of curious and creative thinkers.”

—Esther Perel, Belgian psychotherapist

Image from Unsplash by rupixen.com

Over the past month or so, I’ve noticed the numerous announcements of this year’s crop of Nobel Prize winners. When you examine these exceptional individuals for their big ideas and contributions it is apparent that their work stood on the shoulders of many other curious and creative thinkers, who preceded or currently partner with them.

It’s clear that being a “Lone Ranger” never consistently produces the best ideas, and even if it did, life would be pretty lonely.

EXERCISE:

Where are you currently working alone and experiencing limited success and considerable frustration?  Who are some of the curious and creative thinkers in your communities that can help you come up with more prize-winning ideas?