All In The Bag

When we start out as children our creativity is free and flowing.  The older we get, the more rules and procedures we are required to follow and the less likely we are to veer from the beaten path.  In order to remind adults to "color outside of the lines" and think outside the proverbial box, I utilize creativity exercises in my speaking engagements and training classes. 

I have an exercise ready for an upcoming session, but decided to have a backup ready in case some of the participants had already been exposed to my game in a previous presentation. I prepared quart size plastic bags for each small group.  I filled the bags with a half dozen items - the same ones in each bag.  This time I included props like a bag of M&M's, a die, and a pipe cleaner. Each group will be given a bag and instructed to create a word using the first letter of each item they were given.  Most people will play with the items in the bag but not think to use the "bag" as one of the items.  What would you have done?

It is a great reminder to look at things differently - from all angles - so as not to miss an opportunity.  Remember, it's not "all in the bag"!

Un-Like Minded People

I attend a variety of business organization meetings, attracted to them based on the topic.  I've heard from oil and gas executives, human resource personnel, engineers, marketing gurus, coaches and dreamers.  I find it thought provoking, inspiring and motivating to spice up my life with this variety of information and perspectives.

At one recent meeting the new people were invited to stand up and introduce themselves.  Many times in their introductions I hear that term "like-minded" people used.  They are delighted to be in the presence of like minded individuals.  There is nothing wrong with that.  I like to work or party with like minded people also.

But I propose that we could up our enjoyment of life, our creativity and our enthusiasm for things we have lost enthusiasm for if we associated with "un-like minded people".  If you want to be more creative, try a few of these things off my list -

• Challenge yourself with three problems every day
• Brainstorm with friends
• Hang out with people you don't typically hang out with
• Work on your self-talk - remind yourself how creative you are
• Cross-train in the arts - try painting or piano lessons or something you've always wanted to try
• Nurture a secret work project
• Join an inventor’s or a writer's club

Let me know what new ideas or insights arise from this challenge.

Treasures All Around Us

I attended an afternoon workshop on defining and working with all the resources available to you to move your personal development or your business forward.  It was an interesting look at all we have around us that we typically forget or pass over as we rush through our week.  We were asked to make a list of 100 resources that we have and were given a few minutes to complete the task.  Pens and fingers on tablets moved furiously down the page listing person after person and item after item.  Most people had 30 or more resources listed in a very short time.  We shared part of our list with the group and the ideas from others in the room inspired us to add to our lists.  One that I mentioned was clutter.  We think of it as junk but if we were to go through many of the boxes stuffed in our attic or under a bed - we might find treasures that could be used in our work or in some other way we hadn't previously considered.  A teacher friend of mine planned to have her students help her sort through some boxes of supplies she had accumulated over the years.  She knew that they would be able to come up with numerous ideas on how the "stuff" could be used in alternative ways.  Those little ones were creative problem solvers. 

As I look around the yoga room at the gym I find a number of resources available to the class that we aren't taking advantage of.  We could use the walls to help us balance or open our shoulders as we try to stack our hips and shoulders on top of each other in a one-legged balance, or stuff a sock under the heel of our hand to help take pressure out of the risk in a pose, or hold onto our friend to assist in our balance or gently pushing their leg higher to give them more of a stretch - so many resources around us that easily get ignored.

When is the last time you looked at your stuff and played with ways to utilize it differently? 

Engage friends, family or co-workers for a brainstorming session around a box of stored items and see what possibilities emerge.