10 Steps to Boost your Creativity to Benefit your Business and Your Life

Written on August 26, 2011 by Kaarina in Blogging, Business, Motivational and Inspirational, Musings

Are you creative?

Most people answer “no”, when in fact, each and every person is creative. Unfortunately, our schooling and training often grinds the creativity right out of us, as we’re asked to come up with the “correct” answer (not the many possible answers…except, of course in things like arithmetic where 2 + 2 does equal 4)…spit back memorized answers…stop daydreaming, and the like.

In an article by Linda Naiman , she quotes a 2010 Global CEO study that stated that “more than rigor, management discipline, integrity or even vision – successfully navigating an increasing complex world will require creativity.”

In referencing the work of Daniel Pink, Pink argues that a shift from logical, linear left-brain thinking to creative right-brain thinking is essential to making the shift from the information age to the conceptual age. His book, A Whole New Mind is based on the premise that “right-brainers will rule the future”.

If that’s the case, and we’re still mired in an educational system that prepares students for a future that doesn’t exist, how do we go about fostering and promoting creativity? Be sure to check out this TED talks video by Sir Ken Robinson, “Do schools kill creativity?”.

To talk about fostering creativity in a global sense is far beyond the scope of this little blog post. What we can do is start with ourselves. How can each and every one of us inject more creativity into our daily lives? Here are 10 little tips:

Write, draw and paint with your non-dominant hand.
Read something on a topic you normally wouldn’t read about. Learning something new, combined with repetition, creates strengthened neural pathways. And just like with exercising the body, exercising the mind will result in “A mind once stretched by a new idea never regains original dimensions.” Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.
Capture your ideas as they come to you. Carry a notebook (digital or old-school paper) and jot down those lightbulb ideas. Accompany them with doodles, drawings and renderings to make them even more powerful, because we think in pictures, not words.
Read a book upside down and backwards. Yes, crazy as it sounds, it will exercise your brain. This can be especially effective if you’re stuck on a task and thinking too hard. You probably have experienced a time when you were stuck on a problem, thinking really hard and just couldn’t come up with an answer. Only when you weren’t thinking about it did the eureka ah-ha moment come. Exercising your brain and taking your focus away from the task can accomplish this too.
On that same note…take a walk…listen to music you don’t usually listen to…brainstorm with a friend. Remove yourself from the challenge at hand, relax your thoughts. Your ability to creatively conquer the challenge will be at hand.
Take a dictionary or book and randomly open to a page, put your finger on a word and write down that word. Do that ten times. Use those ten words in a story or potential blog post. Free your mind by using random words in your writing to free the inner self-editor.
Do something that’s outside your comfort zone. I learned to ride a motorcycle simply because I was afraid of it. It taught me that I could accomplish things that I found fearful and outside my bounds. Taking managed risk can get you outside of your boxed in thinking.
Change your habits and routines. If you take a walk in the same place or direction, change that up. If you always brush your teeth holding your toothbrush in one hand, change it to the other. If you always put your pants on one leg at a time…nahhh, forget that one:)
Stop. Look. Listen. Do you really hear and see what’s going on around you? When was the last time you truly took in your environment with your senses? Smell the new cut grass. Watch a butterfly flit among flowers. Observe people as they go about their day. Take time to truly absorb what’s going on, instead of simply reacting to what’s in your immediate field of vision.
Become more curious by asking the question “why” more often. Why is the sky blue? Why do penguins waddle? Why can’t I put my pants on two legs at a time?…just kidding about that last one:) If we were all to re-ignite the child-like curiosity we all possess, our ability to think creatively would increase exponentially, and our value in this conceptual age will be money in the bank.

What will you do today to exercise your creativity?

http://twitter.com/lifeforinstance Life, for instance

Hey Kaarina,
I love these ideas! I’m intrigued with # 6 – though it might be too much of a challenge for me and LFI! I know the brain evolves by learning something new, such as a new language. I keep intending (and forgetting) to learn a little Italian for a future dream trip there!
Have you read Joe Dispenza’s Evolve Your Brain? Daniel Pink’s book sounds interesting. I’m going to check it out.
Which of these, besides #7 have you done, or do you do on a regular basis?
Lori
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  Daniel Pink’s books are awesome, and if you click on the link above, you’ll also see him in a little video that really is spot on. The link to the educational system video is also top drawer.
  
  I haven’t read Joe Dispenza’s book, so I’ll be looking that up: thanks.
  
  I actually do most of these things on a regular basis, which is why it was easy to suggest them. I consciously take time to do things with my non-dominant hand, and often catch myself on little habits and change them up, like:
  
  I usually step up stairs starting on my left foot. I catch myself and reverse that. Sounds like a small thing, but try it sometime.
  
  Getting out of the opposite side of the bed (of course, that depends on what and who you have to crawl over, haha!) Or sleeping on the opposite side of the bed: a challenge.
  
  Brushing my teeth, pouring coffee, opening a car door, carrying my briefcase with my non-dominant hand.
  
  I could go on and on, because I’ve integrated this awareness into my life, and practice bits of it every day. I do love the random picking of words and making up stories, and reading books upside down. (I’m sure our friend Bill will have something to say about that:)
  
  Thanks for dropping by: you always provide such great comments and always ask such good questions. Cheers! Kaarina
  - http://twitter.com/ShakirahDawud T. Shakirah Dawud
    
    Sleeping on the opposite side of the bed really *is* a challenge! I should add that I’m a Muslim, and we only eat and try to make it a habit to initiate most things with our right hands and right sides. I’m lefthanded, so I’ve always had that awareness of the opposite side of myself. Nobody else in my family knows their left side as well as I know my right.
    - http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
      
      Really interesting, and a good reminder of cultural differences. Thanks for sharing, Shakirah:)
Al

This is great Kaarina. I will really have to reach to try these 10. I love the list and need to be more creative. Read a book backwards ? that could take months, for me. Anyway, I will work on a few to start. always need to stretch the mind and get out of comfort zone. Thanks so much for this. Something tells me you are going to have a GREAT-Ful day and an awesome weekend !

Al
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  Thanks, Al, for dropping by: I was just over at “your place” and commented on your post.
  
  I am having a GREAT-Ful day, for which I’m truly GRATEful. And when you finish that upside down book, there will be a test…just kidding! Cheers! Kaarina
http://hajrakvetches.com Hajra

Hey Kaarina,

Creativity comes in many forms and you just gave us ten brilliant ways to get in touch with your creativity. When we were kids, my grandpa used to ask us questions! Yes, he would sometimes take us on a walk, show us around and explain stuff and then he would ask us why and keep asking us until each of us comes up with a response. Yes, each of us had to have an answer… we got candies for that!

My sister and I indulged in the dictionary thing and that is what I think makes us both so good with the language at times, (sorry for blowing my horns, but English is my second language!).

Also, I was hoping to learn a new language in the hopes of “strengthening my neural pathways!”

P.S: Does being messy in newer ways qualify?
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  Hajra, I like that “being messy in newer ways”…too funny!
  
  And I think because English is our second language, we have a huge appreciation for language (and thanks for the nice compliment).
  
  I LOVE that you were asked questions. It’s sad that we are often bothered when someone asks “why”. Asking questions stimulates us to think, not just robotically answer. Good for your grandpa! We can all learn from him, and keep our wide-eyed, child-like innocence by asking more questions, and being open to the wonders and the answers. In so many cases there is no ONE answer, and yet our whole educational system is based on spitting back THE answer. Hopefully things will change. Cheers! Kaarina
  - http://hajrakvetches.com Hajra
    
    Don’t get me started on the education system… !
    - http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
      
      Did you check out the Sir Ken Robinson link in the post? It’s the best 20 minutes you could spend! Here it is again:) http://youtu.be/iG9CE55wbtY
Anonymous

I used to be so structured, even the money in my wallet had to be organized in a certain way; I jokingly said if it wasn’t then it would knock the planets out of alignment.

I actually do some of the things suggested and yes, my money (what little I have) is all willy nilly in my wallet these days.

Oh, I had so many things I could have said about the things I tried to do with my non-dominant hand but since this is a professional, family friendly site this will just have to be a time that it is better left unsaid.

If this is your new look and direction I like it a lot. I tried to carpet bomb your GP at Adam’s but ran into some technical difficulties; I mentioned it to Adam but didn’t know if the break down was on his end or mine.

Good to see you and hope you have a fantastic weekend.
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  Ah, Bill, I missed the carpet bombing and appreciate the family-friendly decision:)
  
  Looks like you got everything sorted out in terms of your new site: lookin’ good.
  
  This site is still going to undergo tweaking, but as with everything, it’s a work in progress, and I’m stayin’ creative. Cheers! Kaarina
- http://twitter.com/adamtoporek Adam Toporek
  
  Bill, I’m going to ping you offline about the tech difficulties. I’m not sure what they were. I too missed the comment bombing!
  - Anonymous
    
    I got an error when I hit reply and it happened twice and I never got back over there. It could have been my end…………..
    - http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
      
      Not sure: Shakirah also had a comment that wouldn’t appear. Maybe I’ll be switching from disqus to livefyre after all? I’ll look into it from this end.
      - Anonymous
        
        It was your GP at Adam’s place is where I had a problem.
      - http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
        
        Ohhhhh…duhhhhh…It still prompted me to consider switching over to Livefyre here. Disqus had some tech problems and Shakirah’s post didn’t appear. U making any changes on commenting system for your site?
http://soulati.com/blog Soulati

OK, this is a hot, hot post. These tips are more than just run of the mill. Absolutely great suggestions! I have to say…in my world, I’m almost too creative — always ideas, always brainstorming, always trying to find more ways to beat the bushes and implement strategy.

That said, I am still challenged by the new normal — how to earn leads and influence sales as a PR person for my clients. This is something that requires an incredible mind meld and mashup of disciplines and creative strategy.

For me, I’d like to turn off my brain; when I read a headline produces a blog post, a news piece becomes fodder for a client story pitch. I’m always on and overworking my brain (if that is possible?).

Very interesting all the way through…love how you’ve packaged and how can I get color for my blog, in the body, too? That’s awesome!
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  You are da’bomb Jayme! Thanks so much for the compliments, and I love how your brain works…like go-go-gadget, always on duty! I think when we see possibilities all around us, that’s a good thing. I’d rather that, than seeing only what’s directly in front of our eyes, but also not chasing every “Squirrel!” that crosses our path.
  
  Re: the color for blog: it’s one of many options when I write the post, under tabs like bold, underline, color, etc. in wordpress.
  
  Have a fab day Jayme: heading over to your blog today:) Cheers! Kaarina
  - http://twitter.com/ShakirahDawud T. Shakirah Dawud
    
    Good to know about the color–not sure I have that option with my theme.
http://www.grownupnowwhat.com Tammy

I had to laugh when I started reading your post – my most recent post is about how I don’t consider myself to be creative! :)

Like Soulati, I loved your tips, and I know I will be implementing some of those during my vacation next week.

Thank you so much for ideas on how to embrace this elusive-to-me characteristic!
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  Oh my gosh, Tammy, that is tooooo funny! I’ll head over to read that today:)
  
  I’m glad you liked the tips: be sure to let me know how you do with implementing them during your vacation.
  
  Just don’t know what @Top10er:disqus suggested and start riding a motorcycle while reading a book upside down. I’m still rolling with laughter on that one! Enjoy your vacation:) Cheers! Kaarina
http://twitter.com/AmeenaFalchetto Ameena Falchetto

The suggestions are terrific!!!! I am a true believer that everyone can be creative to some extent but it’s the confidence is what will make it happen.

Looking through the eyes of our 16m old daughter helps remind me of how I should be looking at the world … Great post to start the weekend with!
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  Happy to start your weekend off with a creative bang, Ameena. And indeed…if we only looked to children, to see the wonder they have in everything around them, and emulated their wide-eyed curiosity, we’d be far better off.
  
  And we’d be even better off if our educational system valued “right-brain thinking”…the arts, coloring outside the lines, finding many answers to the same problem…Sir Ken Robinson hits it spot on when he talks about our education system preparing children for a future that doesn’t exist.
  
  Enjoy your weekend, my friend. Cheers! Kaarina
http://www.thetop10blog.com/ Tony Hastings

Great ideas Kaarina, we do sometimes need to shake ourselves a bit to get those creative juices flowing. I usually favour a brisk walk but after reading this I think I’ll try reading a book upside down while learning to ride a motorbike!!

Thanks for your thoughtful post

Tony
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  Tony, I am laughing so hard the tears are running down my cheeks! I love that! OMG I can’ stop laughing:))))
http://inklingmedia.net Ken Mueller

I love these, and they are the types of things I would tell people to do when they need to generate ideas for blogs.

As to your point about having the creativity beaten out of us, I have a friend who is an artist. Haven’t seen him in years, but I remember when his kids were very small, and he would have them color, he rarely gave them a coloring book. he just wanted them to create. And when he DID give them a coloring book, he did the exact opposite of what most of us do. We would work, over time, to get our kids to learn how to color INSIDE the lines. He would never tell his kids that. He felt that was confining, like trying to “structure” creativity. That has always stuck with me. dang. I might now have an idea for a post…
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  Dang, that’s a great idea for a post Ken! Coloring outside the lines is a good tip, both literally and metaphorically:) And if we’d all just loosen up and color with abandon…with our words, our thoughts and our lives…the world would be a much more creative place. Cheers! Kaarina P.S. I’ll look forward to that post:)
  - http://inklingmedia.net Ken Mueller
    
    I actually had a similar post in the works several months ago and i was gonna use my college students to help me, but never got around to it. I’ll find a way to make it work. might take some time.
    - http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
      
      I’m a patient soul:) Just let me know…although I always follow your posts, so I’m sure I won’t miss it.
    - http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
      
      I’m a patient soul:) Just let me know…although I always follow your posts, so I’m sure I won’t miss it.
http://hustlersnotebook.com Jk Allen

Hi Kaarina!

I really like this article. I like the 10 challenges. I know they were more so written as tips..but for me, many of them are challenges.

I consider myself to be creative…but I also feel like I haven’t come close to tapping into my full creativeness. Having 3 kids I get to see creativity at its best and most pure state. It’s amazing. I watch them and analyze how they approach things. They don’t worry about “looking stupid”…they just do what comes to mind. They don’t fight it or try to mask it. They just do what they do. And that’s where I want to be with my creativity!

Very nice post Kaarina – nice to be by!
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  JK, so nice to see you here. And aren’t kids the absolute best reminder to us to realize we shouldn’t worry about “looking stupid.” That only gets ingrained in us when systems, processes, procedures and institutions want us to be left-brain linear, “correct answer” oriented.
  
  “They just do what they do”…how liberating! I really appreciate you stopping by to comment. Have a wonderful weekend. Cheers! Kaarina
http://twitter.com/adamtoporek Adam Toporek

This is a great set of tips Kaarina. Our education system has never stressed creativity because it is difficult to standardize and measure. While I think its importance in the future can be overstated, I think no doubts its importance will grow. IMAO.

Heaven knows it is important to those in business and in blogging. And perhaps the echo chamber would be not as “echoey” if more explored their creative sides.

I think I will give #5 a try this weekend — different music!

Good stuff as always Kaarina!
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  I’m wishing you an awesome #5 this weekend. I’m sending subliminal Beatles vibes:) Thanks Adam: and I’m of the mind that creativity can never be overstated. We’ll agree to disagree on that point, my friend. Have a fabulous weekend! Cheers! Kaarina
  - http://twitter.com/adamtoporek Adam Toporek
    
    We might not disagree… depends. To clarify, I was referring more to the links, to the potential to overstate the importance of creativity as a macroeconomic driver. It’s one thing to say creativity will be more important in the future, another to say it will be a “creative economy” where creativity is the preeminent skill.
    
    Have a great weekend too!
    - http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
      
      Gotcha! Thx for the clarification. We’re on the same page:)
http://twitter.com/gingerconsult Jen Olney

Thanks, Kaarina. I always carry a notebook with me. I never can tell when inspiration will strike and I need to jot down my thoughts. Ask why is perfect, always keep your curiosity. Outstanding tips! Thank you
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  Thanks, Jen for dropping by. I’m a pretty “old-school gal” when it comes to journalling. I love having my beautiful notebooks and gorgeous pen on hand, ready to write and doodle and capture things that I don’t want to miss. I look forward to our Skype call, my friend. Cheers! Kaarina
http://vizsource.info/ Kim Davies

I love this, Kaarina. As you may well know, I consider myself pretty creative. But, there are steps in your list that I haven’t done. So, I learn something new from you again, as always.

I would love to try number 1 and number 6 because I haven’t done them since I was born. The others I do quite frequently because I just can’t help doing so. With 3 kids and another one coming, I can’t help but read anything under the sun, read a book upside down when reading to Elle who wishes to hold the book to her all the time (but not backwards though – that I also have to do), take a walk, listen to all types of music (even heavy metal), to stop, look and listen, never follow routines or establish habits and be curious all the time. And, I love it.

To challenge my creativity, today I will change the interior design of my Sims Social game on my personal Facebook and see where my creativity will take me.

Thanks for the heads-up about this post, Kaarina. You sure know what will interest me. Oh, well…what are soul-sister friends for, right?

Talk to you soon and have an amazing weekend.
Kim
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  I look forward to reading the poem or story you create from #6: that’s my fun challenge to you:)
  
  And good for you to daily exercise your creativity: glad to provide a few new steps for you to experiment with.
  
  Have a wonderful weekend, and take good care:) Cheers! Kaarina
  - http://vizsource.info/ Kim Davies
    
    Hi, Kaarina.
    
    I have been out again. But am back now. I’m up for the challenge. Will get back to you with the finished product in a couple days or so.
    
    I had a great long weekend – my Sundays went on until Tuesday – and I relaxed and had a blast. Hope you did as well.
    - http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
      
      Glad to hear you’ve taken some time for yourself, Kim: with all that’s been going on in your life, you deserve it. Continue to take good care, and do the things that bring you pleasure. Cheers! Kaarina
http://www.unlockthedoor.net Stuart Mills

Kaarina, I must say, this was quite the ‘personal development’ post – are you becoming the next self-help queen?

I’ve practiced No. 3 and No. 6 before, I regularly carry a notebook with me and it hasn’t let me down yet. I also enjoy flipping through books I’ve already read – sometimes I discover ideas I hadn’t noticed the first time around.

It’s wonderful to think of all the read books out there that still have undiscovered ideas within them.

Thanks for sharing the Robbins video too Kaarina, I watched it straight through and found it very inspiring. Not just because of the topic, but also because of his humour – good, old-fashioned English humour
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  Thanks Stu: much of the work I’ve done over the past 25+ years has indeed been “personal development” because, regardless of whether I’m working with someone on their business or their life, it all starts as an inside-out job…looking at the strengths, abilities, capabilities, perceived obstacles, fears, etc. that are either holding someone back, or not being capitalized upon. I always say: although I’m not a therapist, the work I do is very therapeutic: people feel good, and they do good:)
  
  I LOVE the Sir Ken video, and I think it should be “required viewing” for everyone. He combines unbelievable content with superb humour…so good!
  
  I’m also such a lover of books and usually have at least 6 or 7 on the go at the same time: although I’m not reading them upside down and backwards every day, haha! Cheers! Kaarina
http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

To anyone who tried to comment, with no success: DISQUS apparently had some technical problems, which now are resolved. My apologies to anyone whose comments did not appear here…and I’m sorry I missed you:(((( Hope to see you here again soon:)
http://twitter.com/TheSalesLion Marcus Sheridan

Kaarina, this was so very awesome. Loved it.

I’m a huge fan of Daniel Pink’s ‘A whole new mind’. I’ve read it about 4 times and have really tried to push myself to the creative side of things, as well as that of my kids. In fact, one of the main reason my kids are homeschooled is due to the fact that public schools, as a whole, do nothing to create/promote creativity….which is a trajedy.

Great job Kaarina and I’m now going to try a few of these on the list!

Marcus
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  Marcus, great to see you here, and I, too, am a huge Daniel Pink fan. Also Sir Ken Robinson, whose little video (link in post) about education really shows how our educational institutions are preparing kids for an age that has passed us by. You are so right…it’s a tragedy that education is teaching things looking in the rear view mirror.
  
  Let me know what you tackle and accomplish on the list. I’m off to read a book upside down…really! Cheers! Kaarina
http://twitter.com/ConnieMcKnight Connie McKnight

Great ideas Kaarina.
I know I’m creative with certain things, but I do use that phrase “I’m not creative, way too often. I’m definitely going to try your ideas. I can use a boost in other areas of my life.

Thanks for sharing the link with me; I wouldn’t have wanted to miss this one. I had a challenge posting this comment and had to use my creativity to find my way around my issue with Disqus.

Connie

PS: I love your coloured headings.
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  Thanks so much, Connie, for persisting…I really appreciate the comment. And I’m going to hold you to the “no more saying you’re not creative”:) And don’t just “try” these ideas…simply “do”. You know my mantra, taken from Yoda: Do or do not. There is no try.
  
  Thanks again: disqus apparently had tech probs, but you and others who had difficulty have prompted me to seriously consider switching to Livefyre. Anyone who’s listening…what do you think? I’d love your opinions on this. I saw some great posts and comments on other sites that were really favorable to Livefyre, with only a few reporting difficulties with it.
  
  Sitting in betwixt and in between. Your feedback on commenting systems is welcome and appreciated all:) Cheers! Kaarina
http://live-your-love.com/ Brankica | How to blog

Hey Kaarina,

I have to say I learned to write with my left hand (right is my dominant) when I had a serious right hand injury and could not do anything. Talk about weird. But you sure could read my writing and I was really proud of myself.

As far as capturing ideas I do that better now than a few months ago, but for the biggest and best of them – I never have the pen with me when I need it

Backward reading, no problem, I can do a lot of “abnormal” things LOL

Music, yup, listening to country now!

Comfort zon, was scared of deep water and got my SCUBA licence; was scared of heights and got my repelling cert. (and many more crazy things like that).

Anyway, you really nailed it with this one, I enjoyed reading it!
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  Thanks Brankica, for dropping by and weighing in. I have no doubt that you exercise your creativity every day. You’re a woman of many talents, and I can’t see you ever being afraid to go outside your comfort zone. I enjoy all the wonderful things you so generously share with us, and appreciate you dropping by this “neighbourhood”. Cheers! P.S. How did the dog show go?
  - http://live-your-love.com/ Brankica | How to blog
    
    She didn’t show, we took her to spend the day and see how she reacts to the crowd. She usually jumps on people and dogs to play and that is something we can’t allow in a show, but she was the perfect pup. She was calm, just looking around, didn’t jump on anyone to play, she acted as a champ she plans to be, lol.
    
    Her first show will be next Sunday, actually she will have 4 shows in 2 days and I hope she will do good. Since she is a pup and just starting, I don’t care if she wins or not, I just need her to behave in the ring.
    
    Cause she is a winner for me all the time
    - http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
      
      Great attitude, great words. I’m gonna’ wish you well in the show, but I think you’re a winner already by setting a goal that isn’t contingent upon “winning”.
      
      Although I’m not a puppy (hmmm…I’m wondering if I needed to put that qualifier in here), I set a realistic goal for myself recently. I’ve been training for a 5K race on Sept. 5th, and my goal is to finish the race…not to win…to finish, in under 45 minutes.
      
      When we set SMART goals, we’re motivated by intrinsic goals and rewards, not external ego-validation.
      
      Wishing you well, my friend. Cheers! Kaarina
      - http://live-your-love.com/ Brankica | How to blog
        
        As long as she has fun in the show, we are in. When she doesn’t like it anymore, we are out.
        
        I can’t wait to hear how you did in the race, that is the perfect goal – not to win it but to do it!
      - http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
        
        Great attitude! I’ll keep you posted:)
http://twitter.com/kamkansas Kathy Manweiler

Love your tip on carrying a notebook around whenever you see something that sparks creativity. Evernote is great for this too, because it lets me snap photos, tag a Web page, etc. Also, exercise sparks my creativity a lot! I get some of my best ideas at the gym or on the move. I think it’s awesome that you learned to ride a motorcycle because you were afraid of it. Way to broaden your horizons! Great tips, Kaarina! Kathy
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  Thanks Kathy:) It was certainly outside my comfort zone, and I’m glad I did it. My family even bought me a bike for Mother’s Day one year. Although I don’t ride anymore, I still feel the great sense of accomplishment that came from stretching my boundaries, and I know it stretched my mind too. Keep those creative juices flowing! Cheers! Kaarina
http://www.allisondevelopmentgroup.com Erica Allison

Kaarina, this is indeed a thought provoker! I do consider myself to be creative, but I also recognize that my left brain can often get in the way. I just took a quickie test and scored slightly more in right brain tendencies, but left is right there behind it! Too funny.

To that point, I am a very visual person, which is why I always prefer to write my thoughts and ideas down in a journal. I carry a Moleskin with me where ever I go (I have a super small one for my purse, a mid-size for larger bags) just so I can write down ideas. I tried Evernote for a while, but it’s not the same for me.

When I talk with people, esp new clients, I have to write it down. When I lose something, I visualize where it might be. I think that’s why I don’t let the ad side of my business go; I enjoy the creative process involved with making an idea come to life in a way that reaches people visually.Now, reading a book upside down…I’m just not sure about that one. Will try it, though.As for my music, girl…I’m all over the place there and LOVE all kinds. Just ask @thejackb:disqus !What amazes me, as many have said below re: their kids, is the innate creativity they possess. I so love watching my 8 y.o. create with his legos. He’ll sit for hours, if I let him, creating some really amazing stuff. I notice a dip in creativity when he watches too much tv! And my daughter is an artist for sure! She paints, draws and creates lovely images on everything, and I mean everything (think walls, here). What I find most fascinating about her is that she definitely does NOT march to anyone’s drum but her own: she mixes all marker lids so that the colors do not match – not at all like her mother there; she makes up fascinating stories about herself that my son constantly tries to say aren’t true. I make sure he knows that for her, they are true and that I so enjoy hearing them, so let her talk! Sorry for the length; I love the topic!
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  My goodness, don’t ever apologize for the length of a comment! I really enjoyed this: I was visualizing making things with lego, the journals that you carry (I’m with you on that one: I have over a dozen beautiful lined journals that I write in for myself, and always have one on the go for my clients).
  
  My favourite? Your daughter mixing up the marker lids! Now there’s a girl after my own heart. I love that! And making up stories? How cool is that. If only more children were encouraged to tell tales…tall or not…we’d be promoting imagination and expression: two things that are certainly repressed in the current school system.
  
  Glad you enjoyed the topic. I’m now going to mix my market lids:) Cheers! Kaarina
http://twitter.com/ginidietrich ginidietrich

I agree with what Jayme said – these tips are NOT run of the mill. What great ideas! I think the problem with “creative” is we too often associate it with fiction writers or poets or painters. When, in fact, creativity can come through brainstorming ideas in your field or opening your mind (as you suggest in #2) to other ideas. You know what’s funny? I have always read magazines backwards. I don’t know why, but I never read them front to back. Maybe I should try that instead.
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  Glad you liked the post Gini:) It’s too bad that so many people say “I’m not creative”, when indeed, every person is. Maybe one day soon our educational system will realize that those who “draw outside the lines” are actually the people who bring so much value to business and to life. Keep reading backwards: it’s workin’ for you so far.
  
  And perhaps I’ll read your and Geoff’s new book when it comes out, upside down and backwards…in Canadianeeze. Cheers! Kaarina
http://www.marianneworley.com Marianne Worley

Hi Kaarina,

I really love this post. I consider myself creative when it comes to ideas and words, but I’m a terrible artist. Plus, I thrive on change, so many of the tips in your list are things I’ve done before. I’ve never tried to read a book upside down–I’ll have to try that.

For #10, just today, I was wondering how one of our first ladies, Lady Bird Johnson, got her name. It was my random curiosity, and I ended up learning more about her than the source of the name!

Here’s another thing (maybe #11) you can try. Find a simple picture of a face and then give yourself one minute to draw it–upside down. It forces your brain to think in a different way, plus, it’s fun.
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  I like that, Marianne, and I’ll be drawing upside down too! And never say you’re a terrible artist…just draw or paint with abandon, for the sheer joy of doing it. Don’t worry about the results…just draw away:) I’m a huge doodler. I take notes, longhand on lined paper, and I”m always drawing and doodling. Perhaps I’ll take some of those doodles and make a doodle poster sometime.
  
  Thanks for dropping by. To upside-down’ism! Cheers! Kaarina
http://aks-blog.com Ashvini Saxena

I think I can say that no.5 is what I can vouch for. Often while playing my guitar , I find that listening to same kind of music can really blunt the improvisation or rhythm. Often there are other kinds of music that give a different perspective and there are new things to learn from them.
So if I am listening to Deep Purple, I would also listen to Bob Marley after some times. It really changes the mood and makes mind think about different ways to create music.
The point is to break monotony and take the road less travelled

Great points. Thanks for Sharing
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  Great line Ashvini: “break monotony and take the road less travelled.”
  
  I think the road less travelled is the one I’ve been on for most of my life. Although it can be challenging and painful at times, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I consider myself to be a renassisance person: interested in many things, unafraid to try new things, unafraid to take that road.
  
  Thanks for sharing: I’m now going to listen to some music that I don’t usually listen to. Cheers! Kaarina
Niccartwright

In my experience, plenty of folk confuse creativity with artistry… I love a creative approach to life yet feel my artistic abilities won’t trouble the scorer!!!

Just to dbl check, I am typing this upside down and backwards, in the dark with my eyes closed….
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  I.LOVE.THAT.COMMENT. I am responding in kind…upside down and backwards, in the dark, with my eyes closed, on my motorcycle, haha!
http://www.factotumep.com Erin Feldman

Great tips! I’m especially fond of number seven. It’s how I ended up training in Japanese jujitsu for a few years. I wasn’t scared of martial arts, but it was something that always interested me. I decided I should give it a go and found that that training influenced many other areas of my life. My latest adventure was learning to dance salsa, which is pretty funny considering I’m a very white girl living in a predominately Hispanic community.
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  Good for you Erin! Going outside our own comfort zone(s) means growing outside those zones. You need to post a youtube video of your salsa! Cheers! Kaarina
  - http://www.factotumep.com Erin Feldman
    
    Haha! We’ll see. I haven’t been dancing lately.
    - http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
      
      Ah, all the more reason, my friend:)
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Mike Maynard

I went out and took photographs in a park and at a farm for my blog yesterday and I think that was creative. I did read a post someone wrote in which they said that the virus was put on Earth by aliens and it’s purpose is world domination; I think that was too creative! Creativity needs to be tempered with logic…
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  Thanks for dropping by Mike, and I too love to take photos: I find it both creative and liberating to look at things from various perspectives, and catch things in moments of time. Might I ask how you came to find my blog? Cheers! Kaarina
  - Mike Maynard
    
    Hi Kaarina,
    
    I think I found your blog by clicking a link on a comment, possibly at the Wonderoftech.com
    - http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
      
      Thanks Mike: it’s always great to see new people in “the neighbourhood” and discover where they’ve come from. Please feel free to let me know of your website too:)
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http://www.m2mdaily.com/m2m-editorials/what-is-m2m/ what is m2m

I really absolutely love approaching your web page! your specific technique to see things is what keeps me interested. I believe this really is excellent information.
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  Thanks so much! I really appreciate that, and hope you’ll come by often. Cheers! Kaarina
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Sebastian Daniels

Awesome post. I am going to go read a science blog post right now because that is definitely not something I normally do. I am also going to try to write in my opposite hand. I enjoyed this post. Creativity does need to be fostered instead of put down. It seems that if kids don’t excel in traditional school, a system that doesn’t promote creativity, then people are inclined to medicate their kids. It saddens me that so many kids these days are medicated for mental illness.

http://www.findingonespath.blogspot.com
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  Creativity resides in us all @google-3d591cef2cf8de1609ec28732243ccd5:disqus , and we need to do all we can to encourage and foster it. Good for you to stretch your boundaries, do things differently and explore new horizons. Cheers! Kaarina

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