doug smith training

Have you ever been fooled into following what you thought was your creative muse only to discover that it was an excuse for bad behavior? There's nothing about anti-social or criminal behavior -- nothing -- that makes a person creative. It's possible to feel a sense of excitement from danger that may feel like a burst of creativity, but don't be fooled. Your true creative muse, your resident inner artist, the creator within the creator, would never do harm intentionally in the name of artistic license or creative freedom. We are all creative, we are all valuable, we must all take care to take care of each other.  Thrills, selfish inclinations, and power seeking sinfulness can all mask as a creative impulse but they are poor imitators indeed. Artists can easily differentiate these imitators from their real muse when they take the time to assess, and then apply, and then live by a set of noble values. The creative muse in not a thing, or an impulse, or even a spirit. Th...

Creativity gives you a lot and needs a little from you in return. It's not completely free. It needs creative people to stay positive, curious, and pro-active. See the possibilities. Wonder what would happen if...or when...or how...and then experiment. Play! Take action. Move things. Mix things up. Staying positive helps you to deal with the inevitable challenges you will face to your own creativity. Staying curious helps you to look for the nugget of gold in a sea of sand; to seek the fascinating detail in a swarm of noise and to act on that curiosity while being pro-active and innovating -- to put your hands to work at creating. Creativity is worth the effort. What will you be positive, curious, and pro-active about today? -- doug smith

I like this creativity quote from Peter McWilliams: "When in doubt, make a fool of yourself. There is a microscopically thin line between being brilliantly creative and acting like the most gigantic idiot on Earth. So what the hell, leap! -- Peter McWilliams

Your next great creative moment is right there in from of you. Grab it! -- doug smith

Do you like to dance? Do you skillfully combine the carefully practiced steps that let your partner know where you are going and let you flow effortlessly with other dancers? Do you respond to dancing nuances, new leads, new ideas for leads? It takes more than a life time to master and yet your ability to execute on the physical requirements of the skill and knowledge you acquired diminishes as you age. Is that the end of your dancing? The creative muse can keep its distance, like a stranger dancing with you for the first time, scoping you out. In the more than a life time that it takes to fully actualize your creative muse your physical (and perhaps mental) abilities may slow and degrade but the dance is most decidedly not over. The true dance has just begun. Flow with the one who brought you, go as far as you can with what you still hold and then dig, dig, dig, until you've dug a new way, a new dream, a new way to dance. Build more time, energy, skills, knowledge, d...

Are you in good physical shape? Do you know how it feels when your muscles are strong, exercised, and flexible? Have you felt that way today? You play the major role in determining the fitness of your muscles. Left ignored and under-utilized, the muscles become less effective. Neglected long enough, they can even atrophy. The creative muse likes activity. It conditions, like a muscle, under exercise and nutrition. It responds with ever greater efficiency and effectiveness the more that it is exercised. Have you exercised your creative muscles today? -- doug smith

Keep writing. Keep painting. Keep drawing those wonderful sketches. Keep dancing. Sing every day with your heart ablaze. Keep stoking the fires of your dreams until the light is so bright that you warm others with its glow. Keep on creating, because creativity changes everything. -- doug smith

Your creative power is amazing! Try these creative affirmations to reinforce that power: I am a creative and powerful force of energy and creativity There is great music inside me to share I am filled with creative stories worth sharing! I create success through artistic play! I open the creative doors that others want to walk thru! My work inspires and sustains the positive power of creativity Now -- go create something wonderful! -- doug smith

from now on do not stifle yourself dig in dig it like that jazz player so deeply immersed in the lines in the moment in the  lingo that no amount of discouragement or judgment can bump the surface or flat a note sharp is how we are born so keep that face keep that pace keep that race from detouring you and your creative muse because your creative muse already knows what you want to say so go ahead and let the creative muse play -- doug smith

Where do you look for your own creative muse? It may be there. It may sometimes hit you exactly as you expect or precisely as it has before. It may also surprise you by hiding out in the least likely places -- in your own back yard, at a volunteer community service project, at the local fire station, in your public library, in your local hardware store, on a farm, anywhere and everywhere you can think -- and catch a new spark, a new connection. You can find the creative muse communing with the unexpected. Are you ready? -- doug smith

Cheer yourself up! Spark your own creativity! Try these creative affirmations on for size. The more you create, the better you create. You can create something truly wonderful today. Everything you've ever done can feed your creativity now. Creativity extinguishes doubt. You care fabulously creative! Now -- go create something wonderful! -- doug smith

What are your "office hours" for creativity? Are some times of the day better for you than others? Do you enjoy periods of creative peak activity when you might work creatively for extended hours? That's OK because your creative muse works overtime. No time and a half or shift differential is needed, either. Just keep your focus, keep moving on your creative impulses and your muse will tag along. No questions asked, no explanation necessary, no deposit no return. -- doug smith

Be good to yourself. Say nice things. Things like... Creativity is good for me, and I am good for creativity The world gets better when my creativity grows My creativity is under my control and today I will ramp it up! I feel creative! Wherever I need to go, my own creativity will help me Have a great and creative day! -- doug smith

The creative life keeps us energized. -- doug smith

"Creativity is the power to connect the seemingly unconnected." -- William Plomer

Have you ever excused yourself from creating because you weren't in the mood? Have you ever talked yourself out of an important piece of work or creative activity because your mood was all wrong? How did that feel? Did it help or hinder your mood? Creativity likes all moods. The creative muse doesn't care about your mood swings. It won't run and hide from you just because you aren't feeling at your best. The creative muse can help you with that. So what if you're not in the mood to create? Create anyway. Make something. Design something. Paint, play, write, tune, dance, cut-and-paste-something -- just go ahead as if the mood were optimal and guess what? Your mood will mysteriously rise to the occasion. Do something really great -- create! -- doug smith

Take what works, bathe in your own inspiration, motivate to create. I suggest saying these aloud: I possess an inexhaustible supply of creativity My creative efforts always connect to the greater good God smiles on my creativity I help others when I express yourself -- doug smith Creative Actions: Write three of your own new creative affirmations and read them aloud. Rinse and repeat. Write your favorite affirmations on an index card and carry it in your pocket or purse. Read it frequently today.

Are you ready to expand and develop your creativity? Experience the joy of finding that flow where your hands and mind meet in a space of innovation — where possibilities touch reality.  Creativity for Everyone  is for your inner artist — and also for your inner child. Spend a full day enjoying yourself, creating and interacting with others who are also creating like never before. The kinds of creativity are endless and we can’t explore them all in one day, yet you will explore, discover, and perform creatively in several ways including improv, music, writing, movement, and drawing. You could end up with a masterpiece or two (or even more) or you could end up with the learning needed for your next step toward a masterpiece. What you are assured of is a fun, relaxed time of harmless and noncompetitive play. Join us and grin! This creativity workshop is truly for anyone who is interested in creativity and having fun. Materials (what to bring) to  ...

Let the imperfections of the world spark your creativity. -- doug smith

Corner Office Collage: Corner Office,  (c) 2007 douglas brent smith

Some positive phrases to energize you and your creativity: I can always think of a creative and interesting new idea My creativity makes travel a pleasure Using my creative skills helps me to do a better job People respond favorably to my creativity We all admire creative risks and it's good that I'm courageous My creativity is an always available resource My creativity makes problems easier to solve Today I will develop my creativity Creative Reflections: When was the last time you took a creative approach to a routine situation? How did it turn out? What are your three best creative opportunities for today? What will you do that's fresh and new about them today? What will you do first? -- doug smith

"Skill to do comes of doing."  -- Ralph Waldo Emerson Whether or not it's fun, we do need to practice. To gain some momentum, to grow considerable skill, to develop creativity we must work thru our mistakes, discover even more mistakes, and keep going and doing. To stretch one's self requires motion. When I toured with Child's Play Touring Theatre we worked so much, practiced our craft so consistently, that we came to believe that we could do anything on stage. As a result we would try anything and if we would sometimes make noble and glorious mistakes it was just one take out of dozens, one sketch out of hundreds, one turn out of thousands (and nothing in this sentence is hyperbole) it was one of many. Relentlessly in motion we learned, expanded, stretched, adjusted, grew Action propelled us forward. Every day our practice was to practice in earnest. And then we would practice some more. I say it to myself as much as to anyone else: be a doer. Ac...

Are you a perfectionist? I can be. It can take endless revisions to reach the point of self-satisfaction with something that I'm working on. The problem is, it will never be perfect. There are no perfect processes, no perfect people, no perfect projects, no perfect products. Perfection is the ghost of an illusion too tempting to ignore but too imperfect to perfect. Creativity doesn't care. Creativity goes on. Creativity fills the gaps. Besides. Imperfect leaves room for growth. Imperfect leaves room for collaboration. Imperfect invites change. Your art is not perfect but that's OK. Make your art anyway, whatever it is. Your art is not perfect because imperfect is better. -- doug smith

Do you have a secret creative project lounging around in your imagination? I always have at least five projects floating around, just waiting to begin. We get busy and put those projects off though, don't we? What if you didn't put it off? What if you got started on the biggest of big projects? What if you launched the project to complete your masterpiece? You aren't limited to just one creative masterpiece, but your next masterpiece is there, ready and waiting for you to begin. Get creative. Get motivated. Get busy. What if you started now? -- doug smith

Affirmations are a useful development tool in many fields. Positive phrases that affirm your instant ability to be who you want to be and to do what you want to do contribute to building your success by framing your expectations, boosting your confidence, and lighting up parts of your brain that bring about the very success you are picturing. Here are some improv affirmations to help you develop your improvisation skills, creativity, and sense of artistic play: I am instantly ready to create I take all offers and make them magnificent I play with adventure and creativity I am completely tuned in to the people I perform with Every moment sends opportunities for creative play I connect in meaningful ways with other artists I bring instant insights to the people I play with I can work hard and play both simultaneously and instantly I see the drama in every circumstance I thrive on the ideas of others I offer everyone great ideas of my own Trying a few affirmations each da...

It's In The Water One of my favorite creative outlets is making collages. I've been doing it for as long as I can remember. Most of them are done on 8 1/2 by 11" notebook paper, frequently as a page in a journal. This one, for instance, is page 199 of my journal #39, Creative Play (2006-2007). You can spark your own creativity by making a collage. All you need is a healthy supply of magazines, paper, and your favorite glue (I use good old-fashioned white Elmer's glue.) Allow plenty of time -- it's not unusual for me to take all day on one collage. I find it meditative, relaxing, and inspiring. Many ideas float to the surface once you've smoothed the waters in a calm search for interesting combinations of images. Give it try. -- doug smith

Are you in charge of your creativity? Do you play with new ideas, new textures, new techniques? Your creativity is yours to manage and it's also in your hands, literally. From another angle: your hands create. Think about a sculptor at work, her hands carefully forming her art. Her mind is completely engaged, maybe even in a flow, and her hands instinctively, creatively, know what to do. That only comes after hours of practice. Think about a concert pianist: the mind is involved, the heart is involved, and the hands are doing far more than running thru the paces of mechanical memory. The hands are creating tone, inflection, articulation, emphasis, texture, stylization, and yes even emotion. The hands add what the brain hasn't even imagined until it hears it coming straight from the hands. That level of synthesis only comes after many hours of practice. Name the format and the hands are there -- not just as a set of useful tools but also as generators of inspired cre...

What is your most powerful tool for change? Planet Energy 6 How do you break the constraints that stand in your way when you're looking for improvement? Creativity, your power to "bring into existence" (Merriam Webster online) is your own personal engine of growth. Movement in the direction of something new, expansion, birth, novelty, change -- are all variations of your ability to create and are all critical to the optimal state of balance and health. Got a problem? Use creative thinking to explore possible solutions. Launching a business? Discover creative ways to reach markets and satisfy customers. Getting in shape? Keep it interesting and customized to your individual needs creatively. Make it new, make it fresh, make it cool. Starting a relationship? Crete ways to interest the other person and listen and watch for what is distinctive and creative about the other person. Try new things, go new places, eat new foods, create new connections. Creativit...

Expand your view. Let go of preconceptions. Wiggle loose your perceptions long enough to visualize more, ever more, possibilities. Are you locked into your thinking? Is your mind made up on certain concepts, designs, beliefs? It's easy to slip into a comfortable certainty about what we believe and to then accept that as absolute truth. How would we even know if absolute truth was absolute? What if we tested our beliefs? What if we did learn about opposite points of view? What if we did explore ideas that were radically different than our own? If our own truths are truly absolute, couldn't they withstand the most probing scrutiny and the most rigorous doubts? And if our beliefs are valid beyond doubting then couldn't they emerge confident after wandering through some divergent paths? What if we let down our guard and listed openly to a new idea? What if our version of the truth is incomplete and could benefit from cranking open the windows and breathing s...

Have you ever considered that everything we have is borrowed? I used to loan people books and then expect them to be returned. Ha. Then I came to realize, that if you loan someone a book, it's probably never coming back. The next time you see it will be at that person's home, if ever. But life went on. My first bicycle was a treasure. I eagerly waited for it and it was one of the best Christmas presents my parents ever gave to me. Black Beauty, I named it and rode it all over my neighborhood and behind. I even had a speedometer and odometer that recorded my precious miles. That's all gone now. My first car was totaled by my brother. Now, sadly, both are gone. It wasn't the accident that took my brother, but he's gone way too soon. I miss this precious treasures and other treasures as well. It's hard to let go. But they are gone. Poof! Into the void. Now, if I have some I can give away, I try not to think of the loss, but rather of the gain. To some...