1. Do Not Judge.  Be Inspired.

Understand that everything around you, no matter how small or insignificant, has value, beauty, and humor.  Strive to see these qualities in the simplest things around you and your mind will begin to understand life on a higher level.  Creativity is merely extension of the enlightened intellect.  Instead of scoffing at someone’s seemingly questionable manner of dress, look to understand why they wear what they do and the inevitably interesting story behind them.  By putting yourself in their shoes (pun intended) you will obtain a level of empathy that will help you grow creatively, spiritually, and intellectually.

2. Seek Wisdom, Not Knowledge.

It is so easy to get lost in the overwhelming amount of information circling out there these days and we can forget why we ever wanted to learn any of it in the first place - to become better, wiser, more productive, and more valuable.  Wisdom is the heart of creativity.  It is the understanding that we know very, very little of this world and the humbled nature that we adopt upon this realization.  All the knowledge in the world does little if we don’t understand how or why to use it.  This is commonly referred to as ‘Not seeing the forest through trees’.  Spend more time simply observing the nature of things around you and you will begin to understand the bigger picture.  Your mind will become fertile ground for the seeds of creativity.

3. Don’t Think Outside the Box.  Think Outside the Stratosphere.

Pioneers are people who have built their success by marching to their own beat.  They saw and understood an effective way to go about something that hadn’t been done before, and did it.  Had they feared the unknown or negative reactions from skeptics, we would still be lighting our cave fires with sticks. Don’t accept other peoples’ boundaries.  Listen to what they have to say and carefully observe their methods but do not be too affected.  The most innovative ideas come from what initially seem like “crazy” thoughts.  In fact, if people don’t think your ideas are a bit risky and unorthodox, you’re probably playing it too safe.  Remember that true genius is always misunderstood in the beginning.

4. No Idea is a Bad Idea.

Raw ideas need to be nurtured and we never know which of them will prove to be goldmines. Entertain and embellish all ideas that come to you.  Our brains work in mysterious ways and there is valuable insight even in what we deem to be the worst of our conceptions.  Sometimes, like children, they just need to be nurtured and given time to develop.

5. Engage Daily in Simple Brain Exercises.

Puzzles and games will open your mind and enhance your creativity.

·        Try the “Pencil” game - Look at a pencil (or any other simple object near you) and spend five minutes creating as many new products as you can, revolving around it.  Then spend another five minutes thinking of all the different ways to market these products.

·        Do a crossword puzzle every day.  Start easy and then progress in difficulty level.  These simple and fun challenges are amazing mind-builders.  Your vocabulary will significantly expand and your problem solving skills will sharpen from partaking in these fun and timeless classics.

6. Reveal in Your Inner Child.

We are born children and we die children.  Adulthood is an illusion.  Children are an incredible source of purity and creativity and, the more time we spend in their presence, the more we are reminded of how we truly are and how everyone in the world truly wants to feel.  If you are a parent, spend more time singing, painting, pretending, etc…with your children.  If you are not a parent, volunteer or find a way to surround yourself with the unbridled joy of a child.  Not only will you be tapping into a sea of inspiration, but you will be touching and improving the life of child that desperately needs your attention and interaction.

7. Keep a Pen and Paper Near You at all Times.

Inspiration finds us but it can be fleeting.  This excitement brings and is evidenced by a euphoric rush of adrenaline.  Learn to use this natural, unlimited source of energy to realize your vision.  Keep a journal and record all of your thoughts and ideas when inspiration strikes.  Revisit it often and read over past entries.  You will find that some of your previous ideas needed time to mature and that they are now ripe and ready to fly.

8. Study a Different Language.

This could be anything from spoken to written to physical to musical.  Learning to play the guitar or to speak French will introduce your mind to a whole new template of communication.  Language is our purest expression of emotion and the more of them we know, the more options we have by which to possess and relay our own feelings.  We will also find ourselves understanding and appreciating other eras and/ or other regions of the world and the essence of the great minds that they produced.

9. Read as much as you can.

It allows you to step into someone else’s mind and see the world from their perspective (an invaluable aspect of having the insight to create great ideas).  Sure some writers and some books and articles will be lacking but never fear, ideas grow from every influence, good or bad.

10. Stray Away From Your  Normal Routine.

Adding some random variation to your usual grind is a great way to introduce yourself to a myriad of new experiences.

·        Take a different route home from work

·        Try some different restaurants or recipes

·        Make a point to meet and converse with a new person every day

·        Listen to some different music.  Watch some foreign movies.

·        Do anything that will put a smile on your face and/or make your heart beat just a little faster.