When was the last time you did some finger painting? Made a mud-pie or sand castle? Did some baking without following a recipe? Built a lego tower? Or rolled down a big grassy hill just for fun? I am taking a stab here, and guessing that you probably haven’t done any of these activities since you were in the single digits? So just a few years (or decades…) ago.
I recently watched a presentation by Tony Buzan – the world’s leading author, lecturer and adviser to governments, businesses, the professions, universities and schools on the brain, learning and thinking skills. And yes, he is the creator of the mind-mapping concept plus in his ‘spare time’ an athlete. In addition, he is founder of the Brain Trust Charity and the Use Your Head/Brain Clubs, President of the Mind Sports Council and the Buzan organisation. Just your average individual really.
Tony’s presentation encompassed a few main points – (1) our level of creativity goes from an A+ to D- from the time we are a child to when we finish university, (2) we learn best in colour, (3) we remember through imagination and association. These themes got me thinking, when was the last time I channeled some creativity? When was the last time I said to hell with the recipe, and made up my own?
As such, I was slightly inspired to relive a childhood pastime. I got out my paint set, threw away a few tubes that had dried out given the dust over the collection, and set to work. The result? Not quite a Sistine Chapel result, but a whole lot of messy, colourful fun. If anyone would like to put an offer on any of the artworks created, feel free to drop me a line.
HM Footprint
Colourful Mess
A few of my favourite things
Creativity can take many different shapes and forms, and we need to actively build it into our lives. We can get stuck into routines and ruts, but as the cliché saying goings, variety is the spice of life (I would argue that cinnamon comes out tops). So here are a few ideas to add some creativity into your week coming up:
- Set aside time in your calendar to be creative; this can be as little as 5-10mins
- Be curious about the world around you – notice the trees, flowers, sky, and clouds. What pictures can you make out of them?
- Identify what inspires you – this is the doorway to your creativity
- Try something new – a recipe, a book, an activity
- I recently found about this great initiative called No Lights, No Lycra; a brilliant concept where there are no lights, lycra, teachers, techniques, steps, there is simply free movement. The result? An inclusive and non-judgmental place to people to explore dance and be creative. Check out the NLNL website to find a class close to you.
- Give yourself permission to daydream – may just not during that really important meeting with your boss
- Drink water and maintain those blood sugar levels – your brain needs glucose to be creative!
Until next time,
Ride with purpose, ride with a smile, ride in the moment,
Han
Leave A Comment