Do you love to be creative, but want to take your creativity to a whole new level? Do you
feel overwhelmed by your work and find that your natural creative abilities and talents are
untapped? If so, you need to learn how to tap into your creativity whenever you want or
need to. When you allow creative thinking to flow, you will find that you can
enhance your natural abilities and accomplish more in less time.

Creative Thinking Begets Creativity

Creativity allows you to become who you want to be. If you cannot release your creativity,
you may feel your professional growth stunted, or you may not be able to think as clearly as you would like to. Many of people don't realize the importance of creativity until they are
taught to tap into it through creative thinking.

Are you wondering how you can get started with creative thinking? You can begin with
simple exercises like going through magazines and cutting out random images. You then
can glue them all to a paper or a board without thinking about it just let your creative juices
flow! Finally, step back and see what your mind has created. You may be impressed and
surprised with yourself. This surely will help you tap into your creative energy.

Listen to Something New

Another way to jump-start your creative thinking is by listening to music. Put on an album
that you are unfamiliar with or borrow a friend's CD. When you listen to something that
you have never experienced before, you may find that you are changing your
definitions of creativity and are lighting your creative fire at the same time.

Get Creative By Getting Your Groove On

Dance! Creative thinking often starts with an active body. Put on a CD or go out to a jazz
club. Try a dance class, or enjoy the movement of your body in your own living room.
Whatever it is, do something to get up and get going! You will be surprised at how creative
you'll feel afterwards. You may feel inspired and ready to tackle new and exciting projects.
Or perhaps you'll find that your workload isn't as daunting as it first appeared. After all,
you'll be relaxing while having fun!

Write Your Heart Out

Another option is to set your timer for 15 minutes. From the minute you press start, you
should write freely. Write whatever comes to mind without thinking about it or planning.
Then step back and see the creativity that flowed from your mind to your hand, and then to
your pen and onto the paper.

Yet another awesome way to boost creative thinking is through affirmations. These positive
statements can help you remember what it is to be creative and how wondrous it feels when creativity flows through you. You can create a list of affirmations for yourself such as, "I feel an intense flame of passion for things that interest me," that can help you tap into the
creative person that you are, even as you deal with everyday stresses.

Although it’s true that some people are more creative than others, everyone can be inventive and original in their own way. Your creativity is inside you now. Perhaps it’s just waiting for you to tap into it.

Try some of these methods for 30 minutes each day to release your creativity:

1. Harken back to your childhood. Did you have an active imagination? Maybe you pretended you were a teacher or a doctor. Perhaps you played as if you were the greatest skateboarder in the world. Assuming certain personas is a good way to show your creativity. 

Right now, imagine yourself as the best worker at your job. How would you look, dress, and behave? What would you say to others? How would you relate? 

Visualize that you’re the best at something for at least 10 minutes each day. 

2. What are you good at? For the next 10, 20, or 30 minutes, consider your various skills, talents, and knowledge base. Then pick one skill to focus on. What makes you good at this particular ability?

Maybe you think you’re excellent when it comes to following instructions. You listen well. You pay attention. You quickly pick up on what’s expected of you. Perhaps you’re intrinsically motivated, which means you’re internally motivated to complete a job to the desired specifications. 

When you know what you’re good at, you feel confident. And when you’re confident, you’re not afraid to try new things and experiment (which are aspects of being creative).

Let your mind fantasize about something in your life. Maybe you’d love to buy the big house on the corner or experience the serious love relationship you yearn for. Give yourself 30 minutes to sit back and fantasize. 

Think about what that house looks like on the inside. Picture the face of your potential mate. 

3. Carry a written copy of your top 3 life goals with you. Giving yourself permission to dream and reach for your desired goals enhances your ability to ponder how you can achieve them. 

You hold the creative keys to pursue those goals however you choose. Let your mind run free with it. Think about these questions: what can you do today, tomorrow, next week, and next month to go after what you want?  

4. Identify someone you like or respect very much. Spend time thinking about this individual. What is it about them you like? How can you be more like them? Pick one characteristic you’ll work on emulating for the next month. 

For example, if you like John at work because he smiles all the time and seems to consistently be in a good mood, perhaps you can begin to behave in the same ways. Trying on new personal characteristics allows you to stretch yourself creatively to see what you can do.

5. Experiment with a new creative activity. We cultivate our creativity by engaging in creative endeavors. So, buy a block of clay, a jewelry-making kit, or some paints and canvases at your local arts and crafts store and have at it. 

You’ll likely end up spending over a half-hour daily on your new pursuit. But, that’s okay because you’re expanding your mind along with your skills.

If you’re feeling timid and unsure about how to start, sign up for a beginning art class just to see what happens. Working with your hands and mind together opens up new avenues and can get your creative juices flowing. 

It’s true that you can release your inner creativity and imagination by devoting just 30 minutes to any of the above strategies or try a combination of 2 or 3 of them.

Believe that you are a creative individual and prove it by doing something each day to cultivate your imagination and originality.

Everyone has the ability to be creative - including you!

Once you learn how to unleash your inner creativity, you'll be able to tap into it, no matter what else is going on in your life. You might even be amazed at what you're really capable of!

Discovering your inner creativity begins with looking inside yourself. The idea of "looking within" might seem foreign or even silly, but it's really not as crazy as it sounds! There are many successful people who understand the benefit of turning inward for inspiration, happiness, and decision-making. You may not always profit from your creativity. In fact, more often than not, your ingenuity will only benefit you and your family, and that's okay!

Your creativity can still bring you great joy and happiness! Some people write, draw, compose music, build sculptures, or paint. There are plenty of creative pursuits for you to explore and enjoy. Even redecorating your house, revitalizing your wardrobe, or experimenting in the kitchen can be a creative outlet for you. After all, someone has to try new things, or the world would never change. So let that person be you!

Tips to Focus on Your Inner Creativity

If you haven't given much thought to your inner creativity, getting started can be the hardest part.

Here are some things to think about:

• What do you do for a living?
• What are your hobbies?
• What would you do if you could do anything?
• Who would you be if you weren't worried about the judgment of others?

Ask yourself these questions - especially the last two - openly and honestly, and discover your answers. You just might be astonished about what you find out about yourself.

Perhaps it's time to take that hobby and turn it into a living. Maybe it's time to shake off the idea of living for others and begin to live for yourself. Today is a new day to be creative, and a new day to touch the hearts and minds of others with what you have to offer the world.

Are you worthy or capable? Of course you are! Let your inner creativity come pouring out.

Once you've started to discover your creativity, practice and experiment with it:

• Make it a point to be creative every day.
• Try new ways to do things, even routine chores.
• Seek creative solutions to your challenges at work and home.
• Any time you do something differently or see something from a new perspective, you're flexing your creativity.

Continue your exploration by branching out into entirely new hobbies and activities that help you in your pursuit of original creativity. Try expressing yourself in music, dance, writing, painting, or even crafts or woodworking.

Avoiding Discouragement

There are people who simply don't like change. You might even know some of them. As your inner creativity comes out, these people may not support you. That's okay, because it's not their life to live. It's not their race to run. Focus on what you feel in your heart and surround yourself with those who do support you.

Getting support from others can make a huge difference, but either way, you must be your own #1 fan! The best support comes from within, not from what others think is right or wrong for your life.

Using your creativity will inspire you to do even more with your life. You can't possibly imagine where your creativity can take you if you just let it out and enjoy it. It doesn't have to be perfect - and you don't have to be perfect - to bring great joy to yourself and to the world around you.