10 Ways to Stimulate Imagination-Pt I

From Psycho-Cybernetics, by Dr. Maxwell Maltz, with revisions by Dan Kennedy, we find these pertinent thoughts on sparking the imagination.

This is the first in this two-part series.

1-Vary input

We love variety and multiple sensory experiences, and our creativity needs that as well.  Dan says that on business trips he will often buy two or three magazines that he would not normally read simply for the stretching of ideas these magazines might offer.  Good advice.

For me, I read three or four books at a time, and I try to occasionally stop and ponder.  I also find a highlighter a handy tool. 

2-Exercise Your Imagination

If you are a Caucasian can you imagine your life as a black man or woman?

If you live in Seattle, can you picture what life is like living in the jungles of Africa?

Can you list ten different ways to go to work?

List five outrageous vacation trips your family might enjoy.

Now, use your imagination to create more imaginative scenarios.

3-Block Distractions

Dan tells of a man who rented a small office space ten minutes from his business office.  This space was used specifically for thinking time.  It was equipped with a comfortable chair, a lamp on a table, and pens and paper within reach.  As often as he could, he would retreat to this creative space simply to be alone in peace and quiet and think.  He was blocking all distractions. 

4-Relax

When we put our bodies in a relaxed state, we enhance the creative part of our minds.  Ideas will flow to us. 

What does relaxing look like to you? 

What music, if any, is playing? 

Are you sitting or lying down? 

Find your relaxation sweet spot and go there whenever you want to do some imaginative thinking.

5-Be Detailed Oriented

Ideas spawn ideas.  If we can give ourselves permission to paint our dreams in vivid detail, it will be amazing to watch how more details come into focus. 

  

P Michael Biggs

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