Inspiration Quote

"The best hope of solving all our problems lies in harnessing the diversity, the energy, and the creativity of all our people." - - - Roger Williams

• What problems could you solve with the help of other people?

Creative Tourism

Are you like me and seek out learning experiences when you travel or do you want to make your city a creative destination? If so, the Santa Fe International Conference on Creative Tourism may interest you.

It will be held from September 28 - October 2, 2008 in Sana Fe, New Mexico, which has recently been named as the first UNESCO Creative City in the United States.

Some of the program topics include Artist’s Tours: Generating Sales for Artists Through Creative Tourism and Keeping it Real, “Authenticity in the Creative Industries”. There's also a keynote by Eric Maisel, my creativity teacher.

• Plan your next creativity trip today.

Let Your Creativity Soar

The latest issue of Scientific American Mind features a discussion with several creativity experts, including John Houtz, Julia Cameron and Dr. Robert Epstein. Houtz and Epstein focus on the psychology of creating, while Cameron uses her own experiences that have shaped her creativity to explain how everyone can be creative.

But the one thing they all agree on is that the creative process is systematic and can be taught to anyone, who is willing to consistently use specific techniques. I agree with the consistency part, since that's really the key to developing any new skill.

Here's one technique mentioned in the article:

To boost your creative output, think and behave like creative people do: don't let criticism stop you from expressing your ideas and do not fear failure. Take breaks and learn to use them strategically; use daydreams as sources of new ideas.

• Read the entire article on how to unleash your creativity here.

How Are Your Creative Thinking Skills?

Don't know? That's why Dr. Robert Epstein has developed an online test that measures your creative ability by assessing four key skill sets used by creative thinkers. Dr. Epstein disregards the idea that creativity is "mysterious" and claims that by developing the right skills, everyone can enhance their creativity.

Based on 25 years of research, Dr. Epstein's generativity theory concludes that capturing, challenging, broadening and surrounding are the skills we can all use to be more creative thinkers. These are skills I have been using for years not realizing they were also making me more creative. What I have learned from them though, is that enhancing your creativity is a mindful process that you must practice every day to see results.

• Take the Epstein Creativity Competencies Inventory for Individuals (or ECCI-i) plus try the manager's verson of the ECCI-i to see how well you inspire creativity in others.