Empowering Manager
leadership through partnership
Alison’s Three Top Tips for Getting Creative
Tip 1: Make a space. Get rid of something you don’t need, actually, get rid of lots of things if you can. Rationalise the rest of your stuff so it’s organised. I find taking it in bite sized chunks that are manageable works really well. For example, just clear one filing drawer, or get one category of items sorted, say your office stationery or CD collection. Don't forget to revel in your success with completing each chunk. Make a space in your diary too, however small, to ‘do nothing’.
Tip 2: Ask for help. Everything seems more do-able once I know I don’t have to do it on my own. (useful links: my gardener, Your Life in Order, ask me)
Tip 3: Use your body. Spend even one minute moving or working with your body and it will help to wake up your brain cells to get creative. Choose your favourite dance music and shake that booty. Walk around the block. Use the Posture of Choice “Pride and Inspiration”. Dig the garden. Go for a bike ride. Jump up and down continuously for at least one minute.
Tip 4: Find something that will surprise you with the unexpected. Yes, there are four tips in Alison’s Three Top Tips for Getting Creative. Put yourself in the way of something unexpected. We can’t rely on squirrels to lift our spirits every day, so why not
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read a funny book, (one of my favourites is The Oxford Book of Humorous Prose edited by Frank Muir)
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open the dictionary and read the first definition you see
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look at The Eight Irresistible Principles of Fun (click the icon below)
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play The Story Game (coming soon!)
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listen to I’m Sorry I haven’t a Clue
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use your Get Unstuck & Get Going book or click on the icon to the right to test drive on-line
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try a round of “Call My Japanese Bluff” with your friends (contact me for a full copy of the rules)
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phone or visit someone who always lifts your spirits
Get the idea?
