10 Simple Ways to Turn Your Creative Spark into a Flame

Creativity and innovation begin with spark of an idea. But for so many, process ends there with no plan to manifest. Understanding simple ways to turn your ideas into action will give you edge to turn that spark to a flame and rise as a leader in innovation and creativity. These ten simple tools not only jumpstart your creative spirit, but they help you maintain and sustain idea flow. Making these steps a part of your life will reinforce a solid creative foundation in your life, facilitate innovation, and ease your problem-solving process. 1. Understand What You’re Passionate About. You can accomplish this by creating a mission statement, an artist’s statement, or a set of guiding principles. Finding what truly drives and inspires you helps focus your attention on your creative gifts. A well thought out mission serves as a beacon on your path, helping you decide when to say yes and when to say no. This process is crucial for creative people—especially those who find themselves overwhelmed by numerous ideas. 2. Catch Your Ideas. How many times has a great idea struck you and by end of day you can’t remember what it was? Creating a system for catching your ideas will help you realize what an amazingly creative mind you already have. Whether you use notecards, a PDA, a tape recorder, or a notepad, find method that you’re comfortable with…and use it! The key is consistency and variety. Discover what works for you, and don’t be afraid to be unconventional. 3. De-Clutter Your Mind. Amidst wonderful ideas floating around in your head are random thoughts, mental observations, worries, fears, and reminders. Begin keeping a daily journal to record your mind’s ramblings. Write at least two pages, preferably in longhand, on whatever is going through your head. Make lists, hold conversations, explore new ideas, document dreams. This is a great activity for first thing in morning and right before bed. 4. Enjoy Creative Rituals. Engaging in an activity that will entertain, amuse, and delight your creative spirit keeps your outlook fresh and your innovation fired up. A ritual can be as simple as 2 minutes of intentional laughing or as elaborate as a weekend away. The purpose is to inspire you to do something new and different that recharges your creativity and stimulates your imagination.

Make Mistakes and Become Successful!

Would you like to start your own business? Become a super star? Get a college education? If none of desires that I mentioned above motivate you then what does? Now ask yourself: what is holding you from making your dream a reality? Could it be fear of failure?

Fear is a natural emotion that can help us stay safe. With fear we won’t throw ourselves from a building, cut a finger etc. which is a good thing. However, in reference to our desires fear can be fatal. It can paralyze us, often helps us create obstacles that are not even there.

What you have to do is take charge of you. Overcome your fears by confronting them. Every time you have a desire and say to yourself: it is not possible; you can not do that etc. Change you mindset and say you can do it; always make an effort to stay positive. Know that there are possibilities of making mistakes along way but, see them as learning experiences not as failure. This will help you get up and keep trying.