CAREER DEVELOPMENT, GOALS, SUCCESS UNIVERSITY

Believe it or not, it is easy to be a genius even if you think you are not born one!

Harness your own creative mind to be able to manage your own future.

The following are five strategies to be able to think in a productive manner. These will result to creative solutions.

Take note that these mentioned strategies are used by the same geniuses in the various fields such as art, science, etc.

The great artist, Leonardo da Vinci has always believed that in order to acquire knowledge on a particular problem, you should restructure that problem in various ways.

In doing so, new and unique perspectives can be discovered. He also admitted that the first time he sees a problem he normally has his own biases. It is by looking at it from different points of view that the problem is then restated and a solution can be discovered.

Einstein has always used diagrams in order to restate the problem and look at it in various ways.

He then proceeds to visualize the solutions. He maintains the thought that numbers and words are irrelevant in the process of thinking.

It has been said that one is considered a genius if he can produce many things. This has been proven by Edison who was able to come up with more than a thousand patents.

He became productive by setting a quota of ideas for his assistants, as well as, for himself.

According to Dean Keith from UC Davis, respected scientists in history were able to produce many great works, as well as, a lot of bad ones.

They do not fear failure. They are not ashamed of mediocre works for in their minds, these are needed in order for their discoveries to evolve to excellence.

Try to make unique combinations. As much as possible, recombine, combine images and ideas into various forms and mixes even if these appear unusual at first.

Believe it or not, the heredity law was actually formulated by a monk in Austria called Gregor Mendel who was able to combine a multi- disciplinary approach to create a new kind of science.

Observe how da Vinci was able to formulate the idea that sounds actually travel in waves. He was able to come up with this theory by observing the ripples when a stone hits water.

The Morse Code was formulated by a man named Samuel Morse after watching the station relays of horses, after which he thought of telegraphic signals and relay stations.

All in all, it does not take too much to be able to think like a genius. One just needs an open mind and the ability to accept ambiguity. It is important to be accepting and open to new chances or opportunities. Also, analyze the problem and try not to ask yourself why you have failed. Instead, restate the problem and work from there.

Who knows, this could lead to a better, if not the best alternative, solution to a problem.

Posted by Leon Edward at 06:47 AM | Permalink

Kate is currently managing the family business. Everything's going well except that she feels that something is lacking. She feels that the creative side of her is slowly dying. Before she got married, she worked at an advertising agency. She described this experience as one of the happiest in her life.

After marriage, however, she decided to help her husband in managing the business. Although she doesn't regret her choice, she wants to develop her creativity and do something apart from handling the business. Sounds familiar right? Almost all of us, at some point in our lives, experienced this dilemma. Some of us are experiencing this right now.

We certainly need creative outlets. The opportunities for creative expression are numerous; we only have to keep our minds and options open. Perhaps there is an opportunity right in your family business to express your creativity. Perhaps we need to promote or market our products and services.

If this is the case, we can awaken our creative side by coming up with brochures and pamphlets or even an information packet for businesses. If we look hard enough, we will find that everything, even the most unrelated things, can inspire us to be creative.

If we have extra time, we can volunteer our services to family and friends for a small fee. This will allow us to flex our creative muscles with a lot less pressure than doing it full-time. Better yet, we can just do it for free!

Look for creative opportunities at home, too. Perhaps the house needs to be redecorated or there is a need for creative solution to storage problems. It is fun to do home-improvement projects, especially on a tight budget. Now, that really gets our creative juices flowing!

Perhaps the family photos need organizing. Maybe the garden needs to be designed. An upcoming special family event could use our creative touch. Why not design a backdrop for that big family reunion or put together a snazzy PowerPoint presentation for a wedding anniversary? How about decorating the venue for birthday party?

Explore other creative activities, as well, including some we have never tried before. For example, we can try doing a scrapbook, try our hand in baking, sewing, doing children's arts and crafts, etc. If you are into visual arts and writing, then the possibilities for creative milking are endless.

Try these other ideas to get our creative juices pumping:

- Enroll in creative writing courses: check local community colleges or the classifieds for workshops in your area

- Practice writing a Journal: just get a notebook and a pen and let our thoughts flow

- Write poems: instead of writing free prose on your journal, try experimenting with rhymes and metaphors

- Draw, paint, or do graphic arts: create something for kids, members of the family, or just for ourselves to look at and say "I did that!"

- Try photography: a picture paints a thousand words; as they say, life is poetry in action. Capture it.

- Try jewelry making, pottery, theater arts, singing, and just about everything else that will keep us entertained!

Creativity is a state of mind. One does not have to be in a creative field to be creative. We can be creative as soon as we open our eyes in the morning. Let us put our stamp of individuality in every aspect of our lives. Above all, make our lives be our masterpiece. Enjoy it!

Posted by Leon Edward at 10:27 PM | Permalink

Have you tried working on something, a project or assignment, but suddenly you ran out of creative ideas, your mind refuses to spew out something different or new? That your left brain has stopped functioning so to speak, and is drained of creativity? If you work as an advertiser or marketer, a writer, professor, teacher, parent, student or if you belong to any social strata, creativity spells a difference in your work and profession. What could help you boost your creativity?

The seeds of creative idea germinate in a soil conducive to creativity. If you are working in an organization, the workplace, its physical and social environment, the structure, the culture, the commitment of the administration, all contribute much in fostering a creative person. To help you unlock your creative potentials, follow the processes below.

Creative idea burgeons from creative minds. If you think creativity is self-perpetuating, you are definitely mistaken. Deliberately schedule a time for solitude. A careful examination of yourself, your thoughts, behavior, beliefs and circumstances could fire up new ideas. Self-reflect on what have you done so far and the things that you want to do but haven’t. Try to relish your achievements and put structure on your unarticulated desires.

Even those with PhDs, having received the highest level of academic education, should not cease in acquiring knowledge. Learning is one of the few things that is timeless. Where can you get valuable information that could spark creativity? Learn from the people around you. You might be surprised that what you need could come from people you tend to ignore. Don’t be confined in your office cubicle, talk to people. Even acquaintances could give you the most unexpected ideas during coffee breaks.

While learning from different people, learn as well to welcome change in your life. Small changes could bring great impact to creative minds. Try new things and experience things anew. If you’re riding a bus or driving a car to work, why not try other routes? Or why not eat new foods, dine in new a restaurant, or cook new cuisines, read new books or magazines? Do something weird or unusual. But be careful not to overdo things as you might suffer from an identity crisis.

Keep processes in your work as simple as possible. Simplify your lifestyles and work habits. Simple things are also more enjoyable.

To stimulate creativity, a change of settings may be helpful. The design, arrangement, color, ambience of the workplace could be altered a little. Or better yet, find the time to spend weekends in a cabin or in a resort, away from city life.

Have a very creative day!

Posted by Leon Edward at 06:33 AM | Permalink

Every one of us is born a creator and creative. During infancy, we are already able to distinguish what our preferences are and what catches our fancies and what appalls us most.

However, we usually don't realize we have this talent because our parents often tell us what to do and give us a concept of good and bad as we grow. Often, our minds are molded by what our elders teach us as we move along life paths and forget that things may be done and created in ways that are deviant from the norm.

As we grow older, our left brain, the purveyor of logic, takes over our creative right brain, or the feeder of the imagination. Because society tells us that such a method is the right way to complete a particular thing and only that, we often resign to the process and fail to experiment and look outside the box.

So, the question is, how do we resurrect this inner creativity? How do we enhance it so we get a better understanding of how who we are and what we truly want? Here are some creativity enhancement tips to start your quest:

1. Don't fear failure.

Everybody makes mistakes and it is in these mistakes that we learn more about life. Welcome failure and see it as a challenge, or as an opportunity to improve yourself. If you meet a hindrance along the way, be flexible to accommodate, ride it. If you can't ride it, accept that it is there and find alternative ways.

Creativity is enhanced when we force ourselves to think of other methods to tackle a problem or face a situation. See failure as an opportunity for creativity enhancement.

2. Take chances and welcome surprises.

If you stick to a linear path, you will be able to get to where you're headed, but it won't really be as much fun as when you pause to smell the flowers and frolic in the grassy meadows once in a while. It's okay to stray for a bit. Who knows what great discovery you will find? You don't always have to be logical or straightforward.

Play with your imagination and make up scenarios. Meet new people, attend to other events. This doesn't mean, though, that you should delay in reaching your target. Just go have fun.

3. Everything has a solution.

No matter how big a challenge is, it always has a solution. Don't dwell on the fact that it is there. Instead, concoct creative ways to get around them. Again, problems and blockages are great ways to enhance your creativity. Embrace them.

4. Quantity.

The more you learn from an experience, the greater your creative juices will be enhanced. Go for events that tickle your creative fancies. Boring is no fun. Duh.

As you might have noticed throughout the entire article, creativity enhancement leads to just one thing: having fun and letting go of inhibitions. And, remember, do it with a smile.

Posted by Leon Edward at 07:23 PM | Permalink

It's a talent that everyone has, yet they think they don't. The power of innovation. If you've ever marvelled at somebody's creative prowess, guess what, you can create and innovate too. It just takes time. Everyone is born creative. The box of crayons in kindergarten were not limited to those who possessed potential; because the truth is, everybody has potential.

You know how long it took to learn to ride a bike or drive or to never commit the same mistake again? It's the same with innovation. It takes a  bit of practice and a lot of time before this mind function comes easily  when called. This article will teach you a few tips on how to bring innovation into your life.

Don't listen to what other people say. Follow the beat of your own drum. Allowing for the input of other people will only bring cacophony to the music you are trying to make. If you have an original idea, don't waste your time and effort trying to make people understand. They won't. And the help you will probably get comes in the form of negative feedback. If all those geniuses listened to their peers, we would probably still be living in the middle ages.

Spend time on it. I cannot stress that enough, although, please do not mistake this tip to tell you to quit your day job entirely. Do not. This involves some tricky time management but with a little discipline you'll be able to squeeze both in.

Exercise. Take a walk. Run a mile or two. Send all those endorphins coursing through your veins. Exercising certainly clears and relaxes your mind and allows for anything to pop up.

Record your dreams. Aren't some of them just the craziest things that your conscious mind would never have thought of? If you've had these dreams before, and I'm sure have, this only shows you the untapped innovative power you have lying within. So jot down those notes. Those dreams may just create an innovative spark in you.

Find your own style. You can always tell a Van Gogh from a Matisse. You'll know Hemingway wrote something by the choice of words on the paper. So it is the same with you. People will appreciate your innovation more because it is uniquely yours and that no one else would have thought of what you were thinking. That will let people see how valuable an asset you are.

Don't hide behind nifty gadgets or tools. You don't need the most expensive set of paints to produce a masterpiece. The same way with writing. You don't need some expensive fountain pen and really smooth paper for a bestseller. In fact, J.K. Rowling wrote the first book of the Harry Potter Series on bits of tissue. So what if you've got an expensive SLR camera if you're a crappy photographer? Who cares if you've got a blinging laptop if you can't write at all? The artist actually reduces the number of tools he has as he gets better at his craft: he knows what works and what doesn't.

Nothing will work without passion. What wakes you up in the mornings? What keeps the flame burning? What is the one thing that you'll die if you don't do? Sometimes people with talent are overtaken by the people who want it more. Think the hare and the tortoise. Ellen Degeneres once said that if you're not doing something that you want to do, then you don't really want to do it. And that's true. Sometimes you just want something so bad you become a virtual unstoppable. And that is passion. Passion will keep you going.

Don't worry about inspiration. You can't force it; inspiration hits when you least expect it to, for those unpredictable yet inevitable moments you should prepare. An idea could strike you on the subway, yet alas, you poor unfortunate soul; you have no sheet of paper to scribble down a thought that could change the world. Avoid these disasters. Have a pen and paper within your arm's reach at all times.

I hope this article has helped you bring more innovation into your life. Keep in mind that you're doing these things for your own satisfaction and not anybody else's. But soon enough they will notice, and everything should snowball from there.

Posted by Leon Edward at 05:31 PM | Permalink

How many times have you caught yourself saying that there could be no other solution to a problem – and that that problem leads to a dead end? How many times have you felt stumped knowing that the problem laying before you is one you cannot solve. No leads.  No options.  No solutions. 

Did it feel like you had exhausted all possible options and yet are still before the mountain – large, unconquerable, and impregnable? When encountering such enormous problems, you may feel like you're hammering against a steel mountain. The pressure of having to solve such a problem may be overwhelming.

But rejoice! There might be some hope yet!

With some How many times have you caught yourself saying that there could be no other solution to a problem – and that that problem leads to a dead end? How many times have you felt stumped knowing that the problem laying before you is one you cannot solve. No leads.  No options.  No solutions. 

Did it feel like you had exhausted all possible options and yet are still before the mountain – large, unconquerable, and impregnable? When encountering such enormous problems, you may feel like you're hammering against a steel mountain. The pressure of having to solve such a problem may be overwhelming.

But rejoice! There might be some hope yet!

With some creative problem-solving techniques you may be able to look at your problem in a different light. And that light might just be the end of the tunnel that leads to possible solutions.

First of all, in the light of creative problem-solving, you must be open-minded to the fact that there may be more than just one solution to the problem. And, you must be open to the fact that there may be solutions to problems you thought were unsolvable.

Now, with this optimistic mindset, we can try to be a little bit more creative in solving our problems.

Number one; maybe the reason we cannot solve our problems is that we have not really taken a hard look at what the problem is. Here, trying to understanding the problem and having a concrete understanding of its workings is integral solving the problem. If you know how it works, what the problem is, then you have a better foundation towards solving the problem.

Not trying to make the simple statement of what problem is. Try to identify the participating entities and what their relationships with one another are. Take note of the things you stand to gain any stand to lose from the current problem. Now you have a simple statement of what the problem is.

Number two; try to take note of all of the constraints and assumptions you have the words of problem. Sometimes it is these assumptions that obstruct our view of possible solutions. You have to identify which assumptions are valid, in which assumptions need to be addressed.

Number three; try to solve the problem by parts. Solve it going from general view towards the more detailed parts of the problem. This is called the top-down approach. Write down the question, and then come up with a one-sentence solution to that from them. The solution should be a general statement of what will solve the problem. From here you can develop the solution further, and increase its complexity little by little.

Number four; although it helps to have critical thinking aboard as you solve a problem, you must also keep a creative, analytical voice at the back of your head. When someone comes up with a prospective solution, tried to think how you could make that solution work. Try to be creative. At the same time, look for chinks in the armor of that solution.

Number five; it pays to remember that there may be more than just one solution being developed at one time. Try to keep track of all the solutions and their developments. Remember, there may be more than just one solution to the problem.

Number six; remember that old adage," two heads are better than one." That one is truer than it sounds. Always be open to new ideas. You can only benefit from listening to all the ideas each person has. This is especially true when the person you're talking to has had experience solving problems similar to yours.

You don't have to be a gung-ho, solo hero to solve the problem. If you can organize collective thought on the subject, it would be much better.

Number seven; be patient. As long as you persevere, there is always a chance that a solution will present itself. Remember that no one was able to create an invention the first time around.

Creative thinking exercises can also help you in your quest be a more creative problems solver.

Here is one example.

Take a piece of paper and write any word that comes to mind at the center. Now look at that word then write the first two words that come to your mind. This can go on until you can build a tree of related words. This helps you build analogical skills, and fortify your creative processes.

So, next time you see a problem you think you can not solve, think again. The solution might just be staring you right in the face. All it takes is just a little creative thinking, some planning, and a whole lot of work.
you may be able to look at your problem in a different light. And that light might just be the end of the tunnel that leads to possible solutions.

First of all, in the light of creative problem-solving, you must be open-minded to the fact that there may be more than just one solution to the problem. And, you must be open to the fact that there may be solutions to problems you thought were unsolvable.

Now, with this optimistic mindset, we can try to be a little bit more creative in solving our problems.

Number one; maybe the reason we cannot solve our problems is that we have not really taken a hard look at what the problem is. Here, trying to understanding the problem and having a concrete understanding of its workings is integral solving the problem. If you know how it works, what the problem is, then you have a better foundation towards solving the problem.

Not trying to make the simple statement of what problem is. Try to identify the participating entities and what their relationships with one another are. Take note of the things you stand to gain any stand to lose from the current problem. Now you have a simple statement of what the problem is.

Number two; try to take note of all of the constraints and assumptions you have the words of problem. Sometimes it is these assumptions that obstruct our view of possible solutions. You have to identify which assumptions are valid, in which assumptions need to be addressed.

Number three; try to solve the problem by parts. Solve it going from general view towards the more detailed parts of the problem. This is called the top-down approach. Write down the question, and then come up with a one-sentence solution to that from them. The solution should be a general statement of what will solve the problem. From here you can develop the solution further, and increase its complexity little by little.

Number four; although it helps to have critical thinking aboard as you solve a problem, you must also keep a creative, analytical voice at the back of your head. When someone comes up with a prospective solution, tried to think how you could make that solution work. Try to be creative. At the same time, look for chinks in the armor of that solution.

Number five; it pays to remember that there may be more than just one solution being developed at one time. Try to keep track of all the solutions and their developments. Remember, there may be more than just one solution to the problem.

Number six; remember that old adage," two heads are better than one." That one is truer than it sounds. Always be open to new ideas. You can only benefit from listening to all the ideas each person has. This is especially true when the person you're talking to has had experience solving problems similar to yours.

You don't have to be a gung-ho, solo hero to solve the problem. If you can organize collective thought on the subject, it would be much better.

Number seven; be patient. As long as you persevere, there is always a chance that a solution will present itself. Remember that no one was able to create an invention the first time around.

Creative thinking exercises can also help you in your quest be a more creative problems solver.

Here is one example.

Take a piece of paper and write any word that comes to mind at the center. Now look at that word then write the first two words that come to your mind. This can go on until you can build a tree of related words. This helps you build analogical skills, and fortify your creative processes.

So, next time you see a problem you think you can not solve, think again. The solution might just be staring you right in the face. All it takes is just a little creative thinking, some planning, and a whole lot of work.

Posted by Leon Edward at 04:46 PM | Permalink

People seem to have the misconception that only a select few are able to unleash a steady flow of creative genius. That is not true at all. The fact is, creativity is very much like a muscle that needs to be exercised in order to consistently give out great results. If you don't practice harnessing creative thinking, this skill will very much atrophy into inexistence. But keep working and this skill will soon come to you in a snap.

So how do you unleash your creative thinking? Well, the first thing is to become a human leech. No, we're not talking about just sucking the blood out of every living being available, we're saying that you should take in as much knowledge and learning you can find. Read everything available -- good and bad, and keep your mind open to the infinite possibilities of the universe. The more you know, the more you'll want to know, and the more your faculty of wonder will be exercised. Prepare to be amazed at little facts that add a bit of color into your life. 

Focus on a creative activity everyday. Yes, it's an effort. Even doodling is a creative activity. Don't let anything hinder you. Mindlessness may be a creative activity, but for people who are just starting out to unleash a little bit of creative thinking in their lives, it is helpful and encouraging to have concrete evidence, that, "hey, what I'm doing is getting somewhere." So why don't you try it. Practice drawing for a couple of minutes each day. Bring out your old camera and start snapping photos like crazy. Keep a journal and make a point to write in it religiously. Another cool idea is to write by describing something with your five senses. Try to avoid vague adjectives like "marvelous," "amazing," and "delicious." Before you know it, you'll have built yourself a tiny portfolio, and you'll be amazed at the growth you've undertaken after amassing all those works of art. Who knows, you might actually take to liking those things you do everyday. Pretty soon those things will become a part of you and you'll be addicted to these creative exercises.

Think out of the box -- or don't. Sometimes, constraints are actually a good thing. Limitations discipline you to work within your means. It enables you to be more resourceful. Creative freedom is great, but limitations enforce discipline.

Try something new everyday and let your experiences broaden your perspective. Explore a new district in your neighborhood. Spend an afternoon in a museum to which you've never been before. Chat up someone on the bus. Open up to the people around you. As you thrust yourself out of your comfort zone more and more each day, your sense of adventure grows and so does your zest for life. Think about it. When was the last time you did something for the first time? If it's been a while, I tell you, you've been missing out on a whole lot of experiences that could've added to your growth, emotionally, mentally, physically, or spiritually. Why don't you try bungee jumping today? Not only will you learn, but you will also have plenty of stories to share, enabling you to practice your storytelling skills and making you the life of the party.

Embrace insanity. No, not to the point of practically admitting yourself into the mental ward. As John Russell once said, "Sanity calms, but madness is more interesting." Exactly! Every creative thought was once deemed insanity by other "normal" people at one time or another. Luckily, that didn't stop the creative geniuses from standing by them. The thing is, sanity or being normal confines people to think... well, normally. Withink limits. Creativity is essentially breaking through barriers. Yes, this includes the bizzarre and the downright strange. I'm not saying that you yourself should develop a creative personality. That might go haywire. An example of a creative personality would be George Washington, who often rode into battle naked, or James Joyce, who wrote "Dubliners" with beetle juice for an intense fear of ink, or Albert Einstein, who thought his cat was a spy sent by his rival (or in thinking creatively in this case, the term could probably be "archnemesis.") It's important that your creativity doesn't get you detached from the real world completely.

I hope this article has inspired you to start thinking beyond your "limits." If you follow these steps pretty soon you'll be living a life full of interesting adventures. Unleashing your creative thinking  will bring about a new zest for living life.

Posted by Leon Edward at 09:14 PM | Permalink