You, yes you, that person staring back you in the mirror, are creative. And you are creative in your own way so don’t even start saying, “I can’t write,” or “I can’t draw,” or “I can’t(fill in the blank).”
Creativeness gives you energy. It gives you zing. It gives you zang. It makes you feel alive. That’s why I wanted to share these 7 ways to stay creative around the clock by John Forde.
John Forde says, “the real secret to conquering creative burnout and keeping your edge is to prevent your imagination from stagnating in the first place.” Try one or more of the following:
Keep a journal. Write three pages every morning. Doesn’t matter what. And carry it with you during the day, just in case.
Add “change” to your routine. Move your desk across the room. Walk a different street. Read someone else’s magazines (but ask first).
Study a new technique every week. Change brainstorming techniques the way some people ought to change their toothbrushes – often.
Chill. Ever get an idea while driving? Taking a walk? In the shower? The subconscious does a lot of work while you’re relaxing.
Paint, draw, play music. Skills that force you to think creatively – but to do things alien to your routine – can jumpstart a slumbering mind.
Practice problem solving. Musical people often learn languages faster. People who do crossword puzzles live longer and stay sharper. The mind, it turns out, is a muscle.
Read. I don’t see it, but Walt Disney called Reader’s Digest a “gymnasium for training the mind.” Even better might be to read the front page of the WSJ every morning – and history and science books.
That is a solid list to bring out the creative monster in you. All while getting better at some things and improving your life. Every thing in the list will either make you sharper, help you relax or teach you something.
It was late at night and we were in the middle of nowhere. Eastern Colorado to be precise. And if you’ve ever been out in that area then you know I’m not exaggerating that much when I say the middle of nowhere. It’s not like being stuck in the middle of the Sahara Desert, but close
Now this was back in the days before there were 24/7 gas pumps. I know that’s hard for some people to imagine, but they haven’t always existed. But if a town did have a 24/7 gas pump it was operated strictly on the honor system. And the gas station owner didn’t have to worry much at all about being ripped off. But I digress.
Anyway, there we were. A couple of friends and myself burning down the interstate for a weekender in the mountains. I can’t remember if we were going mountain biking or skiing. Either way it was going to be better than working. As I was driving along I noticed I was running low on fuel and it was getting late. So I decided to look for the next station. I didn’t know if we had enough gas to get to Denver or not and I didn’t want to run out in the middle of BFE. Ask someone what those letters stand for if you don’t know.
It wasn’t much too longer and I saw a gas station up ahead so I took the exit when I got to it. As I rolled into the parking lot it quickly came to my attention that they were closed. And not only were they closed but they didn’t have 24/7 pumps or an honor system. I wasn’t really shocked that they didn’t have the honor system though.
Now we had two choices. Get back on the road and see how far we can make it or get back on the road and see how far we can make it. Back on the road it was.
So there we go cruising back down the interstate when all of the sudden my Mazda started spittin and sputtering and spittin some more.
Son. Of. A. B*tch.
That’s the first thing that came to my mind when I started to pull onto the shoulder. But then I started begging; ‘come on God just get us to the next station, PLEASE?’
And she caught. The car started running smoothly and back onto the main lane I went. Holy sh*t, was this a miracle? I still think it was because it wasn’t much further down the road and she started spitting and sputterin again. I thought, ‘ok, that’s it we’re out of gas for sure this time.’
But nope. I can’t explain it but all of the sudden she started purring like a kitten again. So back onto the Interstate I went but I knew it was just a matter of time. Then, in the distance, I could see the Tomahawk Truck Stop. It was like seeing a fresh body of water after being stranded in the desert for days. ‘Come on baby, you can make it,’ I said encouragingly to my little Mazda 323.
Then as we were just about to the exit she died. Just like that. But I had momentum and I was going to use it for all it was worth. I looked both ways as I came to the stop sign and kept right on going and rolled right up next to the gas pump. Woo-wee! What a relief.
If you’re a cop and you’re reading this I’m sorry. And statute of limitations so you can’t touch me. But I had to do what I had to do. I honestly can’t believe we made it. I actually pulled over on the shoulder not once, but twice, thinking I was for sure out of gas.
So why’d I share this story?
Because a lot of times this is how life is. And let’s be honest, there’s A LOT of shit happening in the World right now.
When you start spittin and sputterin you have to reach deep down inside, then call out to a higher power and/or just let some creative expletives fly and stay committed to your destination. Sometimes when we think we’re out of gas, when we’re ready to five up we find a little bit more to get us a little bit further. That’s what it’s really about too. Just getting a little bit further at a time. Especially when we’re struggling. We might have to take our eye off the big goal and focus on the next step.
Do you relate at all?
Think about to situations when you thought you were ready to give up and realize that you’re a badass because you have conquered and moved on past EVERY situation that has tried to stop you.
Life is hard. And it’s harder than ever for a lot of people right now.
Politics, pandemics and pandemonium are things we are dealing with on a daily basis now and it’s causing unprecedented levels of anxiety and uncertainty for many people. But, believe it or not, you can control how much influence you allow these outside forces have on your life by controlling things on the inside.
I’m talking about your mentality.
If you focus on the good in life, your blessings, your goals, and becoming a better person each day, then the outside forces won’t be able to pollute your mind as much. And if they’re not polluting your mind as much, they’re not affecting your life as much either. R
Read this list of 17 rules to live by and get busy living. Because you never know when your last day is going to be.
17 Rules To Live By
Count your blessings: No matter what you think, you have blessings in your life. Just getting another day of life is a blessing. And if that’s all you can think of, count it. But if you think for just a few seconds I know you’ll think of other things like a home, a car, a significant other, your kids, your pets, or whatever it is. Count them. Do it each day to and watch your list grow.
Deliver more than expected: This doesn’t have to be something significant either do don’t break your brain trying to think of something. The next time you do something for someone, just do a little extra. Or a lot extra if you feel so inclined. The person you’re helping will be very appreciative. And even if they’re not you’ll feel better about yourself.
Don’t dwell on mistakes: So you messed up, so what. Get on with life. I’ll tell you a little secret, EVERYONE messes up. We’re human. Start telling yourself that you’re a Mistake Maker AND a Mistake Breaker. Learn from you mistake and move on.
Reward labor/love family: You work hard so play hard. And nurture the love of your family. Be a model to your children, not a critic. A loving family is the only proof of success you really need.
Keep pleasant thoughts: You were created in the image of God and you have the power to achieve any dream by lifting up your thoughts. You become what you think about.
Speak with action: There’s a saying, actions speak louder than words. You’ll be judged by what you do, not by what you say. So do the right thing and stand up for what you believe. Anyone can talk big, but winners do what it takes.
Keep a positive attitude: This can be tough and sometimes the darkness will block out the light. But you have the power to bring the light back in. And darkness cannot be present in the light. Remember that you have overcome EVERYTHING thrown at you in life thus far and you’re not going to allow one more struggle to stop you.
Trash menial things: How many hours do we scroll mindlessly through social media or waste mesmerized in front of the stupid tv? Too many. I know that. Instead, engage in something each day that makes you a better person. Something that makes you grow and expand your mind. Read a book. TALK to a friend or family member. Take a course. Start a new hobby. Just do something that improves your life. It’s too short to waste on menial stuff.
Live today as your last: This might sound morbid but it’s reality because we never know when we’re going to take our last breath. What’s one thing you would do today if you knew you weren’t going to wake up tomorrow? Do it. There’s a phrase the Stoics used, Memento Mori; you could leave life right now so be mindful in everything you think, say and do.
Be pleasant to everyone: This can a tough one but it’s highly effective, especially to you. It can be as simple as a smile. Just extend whatever amount of kindness and care you can to someone, without expecting any kind of reward, and know that your life will never be the same for doing so.
Laugh at yourself and life: Never take yourself too seriously. Life is too short to beat yourself up and judge yourself all the time. Laughter will banish tension, worry and concern and free your mind to think clearly.
Never neglect little things: The extra effort. A smile. A compliment. A hug. That one extra attempt at something. The consistent daily habit of meditating, exercising or whatever it is. The little things always make a huge impact. Do not neglect them.
Welcome every morning with a smile: You just got another day to create the life you want. Make the day count. Establish a morning routine so that you get each day started right. Don’t waste it because once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.
Set goals for each day: Success, improvement or whatever you want to call it happens one day at a time. You don’t climb a staircase in one leap and you’re not going to reach your goal in one day. But you can make progress in one day. Focus on that and you’ll accomplish your goals before you know it. One. Day. At. A. Time.
Never allow rain on your parade: Nothing external can have any power over you unless you allow it. Always remember to consider the source and that no talent, no self-denial, no brains, no character, are required to set up in the fault-finding business. Only God can shape a flower, but any fool can pull it to pieces.
Search for the good in every adversity: Everything happens for a reason and we don’t always know that reason. Do the stars look different from the bottom of a well than they do from a mountain tope? Sure, they do. But you can still see them. Search for the good and you’ll find it. And remember, tough times don’t last forever but tough people do. No matter what or how little, keep searching and moving forward.
Realize that true happiness lies within you: A new car, a new house, new clothes, or whatever material item it is only provides for temporary happiness. If that’s what you want to call it. Do you want to truly be happy? Have gratitude for what you already have and give more to other people. Smile, help, hug and share. You cannot make someone else’s life better without improving your own.
A Better Way To Live
Well now you know how to improve your life. Those 17 rules are from Og Mandino’s book A Better Way to Live. I thought I’d share my interpretation of them with you. I suggest reading everyone of his books and I suggest grabbing my book too. It’ll change your perspective on many things in life only to make your life better.
