Creative problem solving

Problem solving involves creativity- new methods to evaluate, communicate, plan and initiate change. What do you do when you feel tapped out, and the idea mill has dried up?

Creative people have methods they use, consciously or unconsciously, to give their minds the maximum capacity to think creatively and generate new ideas.

• Take time to think freely. This may be lying in bed before falling asleep, during a morning walk or run, in the shower, or during a long commute.

• Exercise your imagination. The more you use your imagination, the better it works for you. Visualize your success. Ask yourself, “What would happen if…?” Fantasize about the impossible.

• Do something new. Your brain’s neurons start firing when it has to learn something new. Read something different, volunteer, try a new exercise class, or start a new hobby.

• Create. Paint, knit, write, carve, cook… the result doesn’t matter. It’s the process that gets the right side of your brain active.

• Chill out. Creativity flourishes in a relaxed atmosphere. Take a walk, meditate, find a quiet place, breathe deeply. Put your worries aside for awhile and de-stress.

• Get back to nature. Spend time appreciating the colors of the season, the sound of water churning, or the changes during sunrise or sunset. Get inspired.

• Immerse yourself in creativity. Go to the theater or an art museum. Pick up a classic piece of literature or poetry.

Whether creativity is a job requirement, or you just need a fresh perspective, these are methods that “sharpen the saw” as Stephen Covey would say. When you take time to cultivate your creativity, you’ll spend less time chasing a muse, and more time making the healthy changes that will lead to a better life.

Is life coaching for you?

Hiring a life coach can assist you in many ways. If you are looking to change something in your life or empower yourself to do something different with your life, then consider working with a personal, professional life coach. Coaching can provide you with:


• Action plans to ensure you reach your goals
• Strategies to overcome sabotaging patterns
• A direct path for continued success
• Tools to help you make difficult decisions
• Support and guidance to help you get where you want to be in life
• Techniques to assist you in facing and overcoming fear successfully
• A sense of purpose and direction
• ....and a way to empower yourself for life.

Perhaps you want to move to your dream destination, lose weight and get healthy, find your perfect mate/relationship or enhance the relationship you are presently in, locate a better job, or make more money. Consider learning more about professional life coaching. It is possible to change the way you think, look and live to reflect what you want. You simply have to decide that is what you want to do. Making the decision to investigate your fears and look at what is NOT working in your life is the first step.

Is life coaching worth it?

Ask yourself these questions:

• What's it worth to me to achieve my goal?
• What's it worth to me to have changes in my life (big and small)?
• Am I ready to commit to having my goals?
• What's the cost of NOT making a change?

Decide today no matter what your fears to change your life, to let go of the weight, to find love, to discover your true purpose and to live a much happier, more fulfilled life. Commit to yourself and not to the wishes of others and find out how you can move forward in thought and action.

How to Find a Life Coach

So you are thinking about making some changes in your life. You believe you are ready to move into something BIG, but feel you need a little help getting there. Then life coaching can certainly help. Many believe that life coaching is for everyone but not everyone is a successful life coach. So how do you know how to find a coach that is right for you?

The one word answer is "explore."

Many life coaches offer a free, one-time sample session. This is your best way to find out if you connect with your coach. Investigate many coaches and ask lots of questions. Use the sample session to work on an issue that you've been grappling with and see how you feel at the end of the discussion.

Ask yourself:

• Did I feel motivated to take some action?
• Did the coach give me the space and freedom to explore areas that I was interested in exploring?
• Was the coach's style something that I was comfortable with?
• Do I feel that I can trust this person?
• Did the coach push me into areas that I was unsure about? (Although you might be resistant, this is something you want to happen).
• Did the coach ask good, thought-provoking questions?

Not every sample session will give you the time to find all the answers you are looking for, but it will provide you with some initial thoughts. After your sample session, feel free to ask the coach how he works, where she was educated, how many hours/years they have coached for and anything else that is important to you. Rates/fees, availability, time commitments and manner of coaching vary greatly between coaches so it's good to have an idea of your budget, if you would like in-person sessions, telephone coaching, or email capabilities, and have some thoughts about how often you would like to meet, etc. when you talk.

 

I do sample sessions, too!  You'll never know until you try...