Blog Post: Get Out, Get Creative

It’s hard to stay motivated at your computer all day as you look for work. If you’ve ever worked on a creative project or labored over a problem you know the best ideas don’t always come while you are staring at your computer screen. They often come while you are in the shower, driving to work, or eating dinner with friends. This is because your pit bull left brain mind is freed from chewing on the problem so your emotional body relaxes and your creative right brain mind can be heard. Challenge yourself to “get out” for an hour a day to find (and be available for) some new and often surprising answers. Experiment with this 3-step process:

1. Set your intention clearly. Try one of these inquiries: What is my next assignment? Where can I be of service? What needs can I fill? What do I need to learn at this time? What’s available to me right now? What’s possible? What organizations need my talents?
2. Get out of your head and into the world! With your intention in mind, go somewhere to be around people. Drive around. Window shop. Meet a friend at a coffee shop. Go to an association meeting. Take a training class. Volunteer at your kid’s school. Walk. Sit in the park. Attend a job fair. Check out a new neighborhood. Read magazines at the library. Rake leaves for a neighbor. Go to a dog park (if you have a dog). Check out career resources at a local college. Work out. Chat with a neighbor.     
3. Notice and reflect. Who do you meet? What do you overhear? What attracts you? What doesn’t? What ideas do you get? What conversations do you have? What do you learn? What answers do you receive? What leads can you follow? What insight do you glean?

For more on ideas on accessing your creative mind:

• Use Roger Von Oech’s Innovative Whack Pack www.creativethink.com
• Apply Edward de Bon’s Six Thinking Hats www.debonogroup.com
• Explore Betty Edwards “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain: http://www.drawright.com/
• Watch Jill Bolte Taylor’s Powerful Stroke of Insight http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/jill_bolte_taylor_s_powerful_stroke_of_insight.html
• Check out our workbook “Essentially You@ Work: A Career Transition Guide” at www.brainstormingalamode.com.