A good idea from a life coach for personal development growth:

What Are You Creating?

BY LEA BRANDENBURG

Reprinted with permission

A life coach discusses the creativity that lies in the heart of everyone and may need only a little coaching to be brought forth.

What is creativity? Do you believe that only a few select people have the talent to create? Are people who call themselves artists the only ones with the gift of creative ability? Is making art the only way to be creative?

Even if you answer "yes" to all the above questions, you too have the gift of creativity. Creativity is not something given to only a few select human beings; it is a quality each and every one of us possesses. The dictionary defines create as: produce, to bring into existence, to cause, to bring about, to invest with a new form. Creativity is being inventive, resourceful, innovative and productive. And everyone one of us is capable of doing this. Simply, creativity is a new way of feeling, thinking or acting. Creativity is a skill that can be learned by anyone, it is not the realm of a select few.

So, if all of us have creative ability - so what? Most people aren't interested in writing the next Great American Novel. Most people aren't likely to be motivated by seeing their work hanging in the Metropolitan Museum of Art or performing on Broadway.

Given that everyone can create and that it is a talent we all possess, what are you creating in your life today? How can you access this gift and integrate it into your daily life?

One way is to become aware of how your thoughts influence your actions. For example, athletes visualize successful outcomes - winning a race, a championship, hitting the perfect hole in one. Their thoughts create the results they want. You too can learn this skill, this ability to bring your beliefs into reality.

Shakti Gawain in her book, "Creative Visualization" describes a four step process for visualization:

SET YOUR GOAL. Decide on something you would like to have, work toward, realize or create. It can be on any level a job, a business meeting, a house, a relationship, a change in yourself, increased prosperity, a happier state of mind, improved health, beauty, better physical condition, or whatever you want.

CREATE A CLEAR IDEA OR PICTURE. Picture the object or situation exactly as you want it. Think of it in the present tense as already existing the way you want it to be. Include as many details as you can. Remember to be specific.

FOCUS ON IT OFTEN. Focus on it clearly throughout the day, but in a light, gentle way. It's important not to feel like you are striving too hard for it or putting in an excessive amount of energy. This kind of pushing leads to an attachment in thinking how things should turn out and can hinder the process.

GIVE IT POSITIVE ENERGY. As you focus on your goal, think about it in a positive, encouraging way. Make strong positive statements to yourself that it exists, that it has come or is now coming to you.

While doing this work, temporarily suspend any doubts or disbelief you may have, at least for the moment, and practice getting the feeling that what you are visualizing is very real and possible. Create exactly what you want in your life, don't settle for anything less.

Creative visualization is only one of many ways to be creative in your life. How about solving a complicated challenge at work? What about listening to a good friend? Even the ingredients you select for dinner are part of the creative process. Each day is full of opportunities for creative expression, because you are bringing into being activities and experiences that did not previously exist. Remember, you create your life each day.

© 2002, Lea Brandenburg

Lea Brandenburg is president of Creating Strategies in New York, NY, and has been coaching an international group of clients and businesses since 1997. Her areas of expertise and passion are interpersonal and business communication, intuitive intelligence and creativity. She is a graduate of Coach U, the coaching industry's premiere and oldest training program, a member of the International Coach Federation, which is an association dedicated to preserving the integrity and ethics of the coaching profession, and a Founding Member of Coachville, the first on line coaching training company and portal. You can contact her at lea@creatingstrategies.com.