Ten top tips to close down creativity

Many of the people I work with in organisations are under immense pressure to perform miracles. Too much to be done in the allocated time. Unrealistic understanding of the real work and time involved. Expectations that they should be innovative, inspirational, creative, confident and competent - all of the time.

With the pressure so creativity declines. That's why the Saturday afternoon workshops; Clear Mind. Clear Body as well as the writers' events are so popular.

Stop for a moment to consider how your creativity suffers. Here are some of the ways I get in my own way.

1. Get too tired. Know that feeling of working late when you should be relaxing and winding down?



2. Eat sugar. Drink caffeine. How did I get tempted by coffee and a biscuit instead of water and fruit?
   


3. Take on extra work. That little word 'no' went missing.
   


4. Spend time with energy vampires. Again, I could have said 'no' to that invitation that didn't appeal.



5. Beat myself up for what I haven't achieved. Why not see the successes?
   


6. Compare myself with others. When I know their world is so different to mine.
   


7. Worry. About stuff that won't matter later.
   


8. Forget to go out and play. How dull is that?
   


9. Feel there's no time, so don't get started. Even ten minutes is worth getting started for.
   


10. Cut out the clear thinking time. When I know how these moments of space are so important.

I also know how unblock my creativity by turning these situations on their heads. Here's how:

First - Write down how you get in the way of your creativity as I've just done here.

Second - Take each statement in turn, flip it upside down and find the opposite situation.

Third - Identify one thing to do differently.

As an example, my number one of 'Get too tired' flips to 'Get too much rest'. OK, that's unlikely to happen. Yet, one thing I can do differently is to take a lie in or afternoon nap when I feel the tiredness builds. It's really that simple. And it's amazing just how it can feel wonderfully indulgent resting up a bit and how much faster the creativity flows afterwards.

Bid for freedom

Over the last couple of weeks I've been interviewing dozens of people for the new book: 'Live Life. Love Work.' All,,without exception, have stated the need for space in their lives. However content and motivated with work, they still need gaps to refresh and re-generate in whatever form that takes.

Underneath the most succesful career, there's still a human being that craves personal freedom. Without that space to breathe, I believe that our lives are not sustainable.

A poem for claiming your space

Turquoise Moments - a poem

It doesn’t excite me that you have a ‘to do’ list written late last night, that you’re working through dutifully until you can live your life. I want to see you wake up free to face each day, as master of your time.

I don’t want to feel you pushed and pummelled low, made small by others’ power. I want to hear you claim your rightful space and energy allowing it flow free, leaving your own footprints in the wet sand.

It doesn’t interest me when you hold back from resentment, anger or obligation. I want to know that you honestly accept each challenge face on, and ride the downhill bumps with exhilaration in your hair and shouting ‘Yes!’.

I don’t want to find you shattered into pieces, like feathers on the wind, with body and mind out of synch. I need to you to be wholehearted, fresh and healthy. Truly alive in the moment.

It saddens me when you are buffeted relentlessly by every storm. I want you to know you can find a safe haven that you can return to within yourself, time after time, and create the anchor of your being.

I want to know if you can live your life, stand on the edge and fly, not hang around in the shadows. There’s just one of you.

The turquoise moments beckon from the mountain tops. They call you from the depths of the ocean.

Copyright Kate Burton April 2009