Dan Goodwin : Creativity Cookies : Positivity Perk-Up

Creativity Cookies

Positivity Perk-Up

By Dan Goodwin

Sometimes what stops us being more creative is not our natural abilities, the materials we have, the time we make available or the ideas we gather.

Even if we have ALL of these elements in place, if we don't feel positive and enthused about creating — and about ourselves — it's going to be an uphill struggle.

So this Creativity Cookie is called "Positivity Perk-Up" and will help you realise just how much you can be positive about in your creative life.

Little Nibble:

Think about all the positive attributes and strengths you have as a creative person, and write them out in a list.

Include your creative skills and abilities, for example maybe you're good at telling stories, playing piano or carving totems. Also list your more general personality strengths such as being determined, self-motivated and inventive.

When you've got as big a list as you can think of, ask yourself this question: “If someone asked a close friend of mine what my greatest positive strengths and assets were, what would they say?”

Then add the answers to the positive strengths on your own list. This step alone will give your confidence a boost and help you see how much you have going for you.

Big Bite:

Now you have a long list of positive attributes and strengths, it's time to help you rise up to them. One of the best techniques to use is affirmations. These are simply positive statements about yourself, written in the present tense.

Make them as powerful and as positive as you can.

Here are some examples:

My creativity knows no bounds.

I am highly resourceful as an artist and can adapt to different forms.

I have the creative resources and abilities to overcome any challenge.

I am committed to creating the best I can create.

And so on. Come up with about 10–12 positive statements.

Use these creative affirmations to draw out and enhance the positive strengths already within you. Write them out and pin them up somewhere prominent. Then speak them out loud at least 3 times a day. The more you do this, the stronger they'll become and the more positive you'll feel about your creativity.

Head over to CCS to share your list of Positivity Perk-Ups and see what others have shared: Join in on the discussion here. •

© Copyright 2008 Dan Goodwin

About the Author | More by Dan Goodwin
Creativity Coach Dan Goodwin is the author of “Create Create!”, a FREE twice monthly ezine for people who want simple and powerful articles, tips and exercises to help them unleash their creative talents. Sign up right now and get your FREE “Explode Your Creativity!” Action Workbook, at www.CoachCreative.com.

02/22/08