This document discusses creativity and provides tools to develop creativity. It defines creativity as being characterized by new ideas and possibilities. It lists different types of "creative smarts" like verbal, mathematical, spatial, and interpersonal skills. Developing creativity is important to adapt to change, contribute uniqueness, innovate, solve problems, and survive. Barriers to creativity include being too busy, fear of criticism, and a lack of confidence. Methods to develop creativity include graphic visualization, brainstorming, thinking from different perspectives, journaling, bringing a recorder for ideas, reading, art, playing, and finding your creative soul. Resources for further information are also provided.

1. Creativity: It’s In You! Melissa Eystad World Spirit Consulting

2. Session Overview Definition of Creativity Why We Need Creativity and Problem-Solving Skills Exercise -What are Your “Creative Smarts”? Methods and Tools That Develop Creativity Graphic visualization of your thoughts Brain-storming Think “As If” Others Team Problem-Solving Activities Resources on Creativity and Problem-solving

3. Definitions Creative Characterized by or productive of new things or new ideas : ingenious , innovative , innovatory , inventive , original Possibilities Potentiality for favorable or interesting results, such as : The idea has great possibilities .

4. What Are Your “Creative Smarts”? Verbal/linguistic -- the ability to manipulate words in their oral or written form Mathematical/logical -- the ability to manipulate number systems and logical concepts Spatial -- the ability to see and manipulate patterns and designs Musical -- the ability to understand and manipulate musical concepts such as tone, rhythm, and harmony

5. What Are Your “Creative Smarts”? Bodily-kinesthetic -- the ability to use one’s body and movement, as in dance or sports Intrapersonal – the ability to understand one’s feelings and to be reflective and philosophical Interpersonal – the ability to understand other people and their thoughts and feelings

6. Why We Need Creativity To adapt to changing situations, environment To contribute our uniqueness to the outside world To innovate, grow and develop To solve challenging problems To survive!

7. Remember: When you do what you’ve always done You get what you always got!

8. Barriers to Creativity Being too busy or too involved with a problem Having conflicting purposes (Internal) fear of criticism (Internal) lack of confidence (Internal) state of mind/level of stress A boring environment that does not feed the senses Demands for quick results Harsh words (from others or ourselves) Rigid rules and barriers that prevent us from gathering information or connecting with others OUR BELIEF THAT WE ARE NOT CREATIVE

9. Methods and Tools that Develop Creativity Graphic visualization of your thoughts Brainstorming Think “As If” Others

10. Graphic Visualization Mindmapping unlocks the potential of the brain Gives you a “picture” of the problem—and the possibilities

11. Brainstorming Define problem or issue to be addressed Generate lots of possible solutions Decide what criteria must be met for viable options Rate ideas Select most promising

12. Think “As If”…. Forces you to examine the issue from perspectives other than your own Think of a current work challenge Clearly state the problem Propose solutions from the perspective of specific people

13. Other Ideas Writing Journaling is a great way to capture those thoughts and ideas that never get spoken. So is doodling! Ideas on the run Bring a small digital recorder with you everywhere, just in case you get that flash of inspiration. Jordan Ayan’s* 10 Strategies: Connect Environment Travel Play and Humor Read Art Technology Power-thinking Go inward Find your creative soul From Aha! 10 Ways to Free Your Creative Spirit and Find Your Great Ideas 1997 Three Rivers Press New York

14. Team Activities Survivor Fashion Show

15. Resources on Creativity www. destinationimagination .org (global creative problem-solving competitions for children) www. higherawareness .com/creativity. shtml (free email newsletter) www.brainstorming .co.uk (more information on how to do brainstorming) Creativity Web-resources for creativity and innovation at http://members. ozemail .com.au/~caveman/Creative/index2.html .