Creative Notions

Copyright © Success Network Group
www.SuccessNetworkGroup.com


People seem to have the misconception that only a select few are able to unleash a steady flow of creative genius. That's 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 quickly deteriorate into non-existence. But keep working at it, and creativity will soon come to you easily.

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 as 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, but even doodling is a creative activity. Don't let anything hinder you. 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 me 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 outside 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 with someone on the bus. Open up to the people around you. As you thrust yourself out of your comfort zone a little 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, you've been missing out on a whole lot of experiences that could've added to your growth, emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. Why don't you try something different today? Something you've never done before. 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!

Creative thought was once deemed insanity by "normal" people at one time or another. Luck for us, that didn't stop the creative geniuses from standing by their thoughts. The thing is that sanity, or being normal, confines people to think ... well, normally. Within limits. Creativity is essentially breaking through those confining barriers. Yes, this includes the bizarre and the downright strange. I'm not saying that you 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 "arch nemesis"). It's important that your creativity doesn't detach you from the real world completely.

I hope this article has inspired you to start thinking beyond your "limits" and "outside the box." If you follow these suggestions, 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.

As Always ... Make it a GREAT day!

About the Author:

Lou and Robin Bonaventura have been Professional
Network Marketers for the past 4 years. They attribute
much of their success to personal development and
consistent learning. Visit their Learning Center
for more insight into how personal development can
benefit you.

Tips On Becoming An Effective Leader

Copyright © Success Network Group
www.SuccessNetworkGroup.com


When you are at work, do you get frustrated because things don't seem to be happening the way they’re supposed to be? You see people milling around but nothing gets accomplished.

And in the daily hustle and bustle, do you feel that your goals remain just that – goals? Then maybe its time for you to take control and do something about it.

Most people are content just to stand around waiting for orders to be thrown at them. And it isn't unusual to adopt a "follow-the-leader" mentality. But maybe, somewhere inside of you, you have the desire to make things happen – to be the head, not the tail. Then maybe leadership is where you need to be.

Some people believe that great leaders are made, not born. Yes, it may be true that some people are born with natural talents. However, without practice, drive, enthusiasm, and experience, there can be no true development in leadership. Their talents go to waste.

Good leaders are continually working and studying to improve their skills, whether they are natural or learned. This takes a commitment to constantly improve in whatever endeavor a person chooses.

Personal development is a large part of being a good leader. You should engage in some form of personal development EVERY DAY! You should read, or listen to, a personal development or leadership book or recording every morning before you start your day. A great place to get access to online personal development is My Daily Development. You simply become a member and then sign up for one of the courses. Just log in every morning and read, or listen to, a new personal development lesson. The 10-15 minutes you take to do this every day will change your life! It'll get you motivated and get your day off to a fantastic start!

Now, let's define leadership. To be a leader, you must be able to influence and motivate others to accomplish a goal, or an objective. A leader contributes to the organization and cohesion of a group.

Contrary to what most people believe, leadership is not about power. Unfortunately, way too many people believe it is and they let the "power" go to their heads. Then they end up being despised instead of looked up to as the leaders of the group. Being a leader is not about harassing people or driving them through the use of fear. It is about encouraging others towards the goal of the organization. It is putting everyone on the same page and helping them see the big picture of the organization. You must be a leader, not a boss.

To begin with, you have to get people to follow you. How is this accomplished?

People follow others when they see a clear sense of purpose. They get the same "vision" that the leader has. People will only follow you if they see that you know where you are going. Remember that bumper sticker? The one that says, don't follow me, I'm lost too? The same holds true for leadership. If you do not know where you're headed, chances are people will not follow you.

You must know the vision of the organization. Having a clear sense of hierarchy, knowing who the bosses are, who to talk with, the organizational goals and objectives, and how the organization works is the primary to show others you know what you are doing. If they sense that you know what you're doing and where you're heading, they will follow you without question.

Being a leader is also not about what you make others do. It's about who you are, what you know, and what you do. You are a reflection of what you're subordinates must be. They will duplicate their leader's actions.

Studies have shown that the basis of good leadership is the trust and confidence your subordinates have of you. If they trust you, they will go through hell and high water for you, and for the organization.

Trust and confidence is built on good relationships, trustworthiness, and high ethics. The way you deal with your people, and the relationships you build, will lay the foundation for the strength of your group. The stronger your relationship, the stronger their trust and confidence is in your capabilities and the more they will do to help you achieve the goal.

Once you have their trust and confidence, you may now proceed to communicate the goals and objectives you are to undertake. Communication is a very important key to good leadership. Without this you can not be a good leader. The knowledge and technical expertise you have must be clearly imparted to other people.

Also, you can not be a good leader and unless you have exercise judgment. You must be able to assess situations, weigh the pros and cons of any decision, and actively seek out a solution. It is this judgment that your subordinates will come to rely upon. Therefore, good decision-making is vital to the success of your organization.

Leaders are not do-it-all heroes. You should not claim to know everything, and you should not rely upon your skills alone. You should recognize and take advantage of the skills and talents your subordinates have. Only when you come to this realization will you be able to work as one cohesive unit.

Remember being a leader takes a good deal of work and time. It is not learned overnight, it is an ongoing process. Remember, also, that it is not all about you. It is about you, the people around you, and ultimately the goal you are trying to reach.

Do you have the drive and desire required of leaders? Do you have the desire to work cooperatively with other people? Then start now. Take your stand and begin becoming a good leader today. Just being, or claiming to be, a leader isn't enough, you need to BE a good, strong leader.

As Always ... Make it a GREAT day!

About the Author:

Lou and Robin Bonaventura have been Professional
Network Marketers for the past 4 years. They attribute
much of their success to personal development and
consistent learning. Visit their Learning Center
for more insight into how personal development can
benefit you.