TERRIFIC TEMPLATES

 

Creativity is essential for anyone looking to succeed in any field. It doesn’t matter if you’re a writer, an artist, a programmer or anything else. Creativity can take you places you never thought you could go. 

However, it’s also something that many people struggle with. Since so many people struggle to find their creativity on demand, we’ve put together a list of the seven best ways to inspire and find your creativity. 

If you have been struggling to tap into your creative side, keep reading to learn more about the benefits of being creative and some ways that you can begin unlocking your inner muse again.

 

Get out and explore

Creativity generally stems from curiosity. If you become interested in something or get out and explore new things, you’ll automatically become more curious. This curiosity can then help you find new creative inspiration. 

To help you get creative, you need to explore new things, go new places and meet new people. That’s one of the main reasons why you see artists traveling so much and networking with other creators. It’s because they know that exploring and meeting new people can lead to creative inspiration. 

If you’re struggling to find creative inspiration, consider getting out and exploring. Explore new places and new activities. When you do this, you’ll get that sense of curiosity that can lead to more creative inspiration.

 

Read a Book

In addition to getting out and exploring, you should also consider reading a book. Reading is a great way to spark creativity. It can help you access different ideas and concepts that you can use when you write or want to do something else creative. 

When you read a book, you can tap into the author’s creativity. You can explore the world that they have created. You can also delve into their thoughts and opinions about things. Reading a book can help you spark your creativity and find new ways to create that you otherwise wouldn’t have been able to find. 

Additionally, reading a book can also help you learn new concepts and skills that you can use in your own creative ventures.

 

Doodle and play

At the heart of creativity is play. When we’re children, we’re very creative because we’re playing all the time. As we get older, we often lose the playfulness and creativity that we had as children. 

However, if you want to start being more creative, you need to get back to that child-like state of playfulness. That’s where creativity comes from. So, how can you get back to being playful and creative? 

One simple way to do it is to grab a sketchbook and a set of colorful pencils. Then, start doodling anything and everything. Doodle your thoughts. Doodle your dreams and goals. Doodle your inspirations and ideas. 

When you do this, you’ll tap into your playful side and find the creativity hidden within you.

 

Go for a walk

One of the best ways to get inspired is to go for a walk. When you go for a walk, you can’t help but get lost in your own thoughts. You have nothing else to do but walk, which means that your mind can wander as far as it wants. As your mind wanders, it will often lead you to new places and new ideas. 

This is perfect for those who want to get creative. When you go for a walk, you let your mind wander and come up with creative ideas and thoughts. You don’t have any other distractions to deal with and no one is going to interrupt you. 

When you go for a walk, you’ll be able to come up with new ideas and things to do on the fly. You’ll be able to tap into your creative side and find inspiration wherever you walk.

 

Go window shopping

If you want to get inspired, you need to get out of your comfort zone. You need to do things that make you uncomfortable because it’s in that discomfort that you find inspiration. One way to get out of your comfort zone and get inspired is to go window shopping. 

When you go window shopping, you’re essentially looking around at things that you want but can’t currently afford. This will help you get inspired because you’ll want the things that you see and you’ll want to create them. 

You’ll want to make your own versions of these things and come up with creative ways to do it. When you go window shopping, you get inspiration by seeing what’s possible.

 

Take a breather

Sometimes all you need to do to get inspired is to take a breather. In the midst of your day-to-day life, you might not feel like you have the time or energy to be creative. In those moments, it can be difficult to tap into your creative side. 

Sometimes all you need to do is take a breather. This could mean a number of things. It could mean taking a break from work and doing something completely unrelated. It could mean taking a 10-minute break to do something you love. It could mean taking a long bath or even meditating and clearing your mind. 

No matter what form it takes, taking a breather can help you get creative again. It can help you get into that creative headspace again so that you can come up with new ideas and be creative once more.

 

Spend quality time with yourself

Lastly, you can also get inspired by spending quality time with yourself. When you spend time with yourself, you allow your mind to wander and think freely. You let your thoughts go where they want and come up with whatever they want. This is perfect for creativity. 

When you spend time with yourself, you let go of all your obligations and distractions and let your thoughts wander wherever they want. This can help you tap into your creativity once again allowing you to come up with new ideas and the wanting to create new things. 

Whether you spend that time meditating, writing or just sitting and thinking, you can tap into your creativity and find new inspiration.

 

 

 

 

Are you overwhelmed with too much work, not enough time and too little energy to get anything done? 

That’s the feeling we all get from time to time, no matter how organized or productive we are. When this happens to you, it is usually because you are overstressed, overworked and understimulated. 

This post will help you figure out what is keeping you stuck and give you five tips for getting yourself out of the rut so that your productivity isn’t just back on track. 

Read on for more :)

 

Why do we feel overwhelmed?

Being overwhelmed is a feeling of having too much work and too little time to get it all done. It happens when you are trying to do too much, when you don’t prioritize effectively and maybe don’t have the energy to do what you want to do. 

This kind of situation can be caused by a number of different things, including:

1. looking only at the bigger picture instead of focusing on smaller goals
2. trying to do too many things at once
3. under-estimating the time you need to spend on certain tasks
4. being constantly distracted by other activities or projects
5. not knowing where to start
6. not giving yourself room to breathe

Use the following 5 tips to help you overcome the overwhelm and get yourself unstuck.

 

1. Don’t try to do too much at once

The most common reason for feeling overwhelmed is that you are probably trying to do too much at once. What do we mean by “too much”? If you have more than one or two major projects on the go at the same time, you are probably overdoing it. 

If you are managing a project at work, an extra-curricular activity with your kids and cleaning up your house, you probably have too many things on your plate at once. 

If you have even one or two major projects or goals that you are trying to achieve or you are responsible for other people’s work, you probably have a few tasks on your plate that you don’t have enough time to do properly. 

That’s why it’s important to prioritize what you are doing and to set realistic goals. Make a list of the tasks you have to do, and then prioritize the ones that are most important.

 

2. Take a short break

If you feel overwhelmed, it might help to take a short break from your work. 

A break doesn’t have to be a month-long vacation. It can be as simple as taking a few minutes to do something for yourself. This can be anything from a quick breathing exercise to a walk outside, from a few minutes reading a novel to watching an episode of your favourite TV show. 

Try to find something that will not only distract you for a few minutes, but that will also give you a bit of a break from whatever is stressing you out. Even a few minutes spent doing something nice for yourself can be helpful in regaining a sense of balance.

 

3. Make a Small Change

Sometimes, when you are feeling overwhelmed, the best thing you can do is to make a small change in your daily routine. This can be something as simple as changing the order in which you do things or swapping out an item on your daily to-do list. 

If you are feeling too busy and overworked, you probably need to schedule downtime. This can be as simple as setting a “date night” with your significant other or taking a little bit of time each day to read a book. 

The idea here is to give your brain something new to focus on. To shake out any cobwebs and to get off of autopilot. A fun distraction can also lift your mood or lead to new inspiration.

Making small changes can make a big difference when you are feeling overwhelmed. If you are trying to do too much and feeling like you don’t have enough time, a small change in your daily routine could be all you need to eventually get back on track.

 

4. Make a plan

If you are overwhelmed with work, you might need to make a plan. This doesn’t mean you need to write a novel. It can be as simple as writing down a list of the things that need to be done. 

If you are busy with more than one project, try to prioritize them. If you are responsible for other people’s work, try to get organized so you know what tasks you need to check off every day. This doesn’t work for everybody, but it can help if you are feeling overwhelmed and don’t know what you need to do. 

You might feel like you have too much work and not enough time to do it, but you aren’t sure what needs to be prioritized and what doesn’t. If you don’t know where to start, making a plan can help you get organized and get your productivity back on track.

This helps to narrow your focus from the bigger picture and hone in on smaller tasks that are less overwhelming overall.

 

5. Be Kind to Yourself

Finally, if you are feeling overwhelmed, you need to be kind to yourself. There is no use in beating yourself up for being too busy or for having too much on your plate. 

When you are feeling overwhelmed, you need to stop and give yourself a break. Spend some time doing nice things for yourself, like drinking a hot cup of tea, reading a book or watching your favourite TV show. 

Most importantly, don’t feel pressured to get everything done. If you can’t finish a project or get all of your tasks done in a day, that’s normal. Being too busy and having too much on your plate are sometimes unavoidable parts of life. 

However, you can learn to cope with them and even use them to motivate you to be more productive and organized. Sometimes we think something is important, and has to get done, when really it can wait. Prioritize urgent tasks first and give yourself a break on things that won't stop the earth from spinning.

 

Conclusion:

If you are feeling overwhelmed to the point of being paralysed by it, the best thing you can do is get yourself back on track by following these five tips for getting yourself into a healthy positive mindset.

 

 

 

You know that feeling when you just don’t want to work? It’s almost like your soul is disconnected from your body and you feel like someone else is controlling your life instead of you. It’s a weird phenomenon that we all go through. Even the most successful people in the world have had their moments where they just can’t seem to bring themselves to do anything productive. 

If you are reading this article then chances are, you’re going through one of those moments right now. 

In this article, we explore ways to stay motivated when you don't want to work. Read on to find out more.

 

Take a break

When you are feeling unmotivated to work, you might think that you have to push through it. You might feel as though if you stop, you’ll never get started again. But, taking a break from work can actually help you get back into the swing of things. 

It can allow you time to rest and de-stress from whatever you have been working on and it can allow you time to reflect on the things you have been doing and help you to see what is working for you and what isn’t. 

When you are feeling unmotivated, you may not be able to recognize that you need to take a break. You may be too caught up in that negative cycle of not feeling like you are making any progress. Taking a break can help you to re-evaluate your situation. 

Recognize that your feelings of being unmotivated are nothing more than a fleeting condition that can be overcome with a bit of rest and relaxation.

 

Exercise

Exercising is one of the fastest and most effective ways to get out of a rut. It will get your blood flowing, get your mind working, and help you to break out of whatever negative cycle of thinking you might be trapped in. It has been proven to be a great way to re-charge your creativity and often allows your mind to wander to new ideas.

Depending on what type of exercise you do, it may also give you a chance to reflect on what is going on in your life and help you to come up with solutions to the problems that you are facing. 

Now, to be clear, we are NOT saying to go out and run a marathon or lift weights for hours on end. 

What we are saying is that even something as simple as taking a walk can be enough to help you get out of that negative cycle and clear your mind.

 

Set small goals

When you are feeling unmotivated, it can be easy to spiral out of control. You may find yourself thinking about all of the things you have left to do and how you’re never going to finish them. You might also find yourself thinking about all of the times you have let yourself down, and how you are never going to be successful if you keep going at the rate you are going. 

When you feel like this, you need to stop and focus on just one small thing. Set one small goal, and focus on accomplishing it. What matters is that you focus all of your energy on it and don’t put it off until later. 

Once you have accomplished that small goal, set another and then another. Keep setting goals and keeping yourself busy and you’ll find that you are able to break out of that negative cycle a lot faster than you might expect.

 

Don’t judge yourself for not feeling motivated

If you have ever gone through this before, then you might have started to judge yourself for feeling unmotivated. You might feel as though there is something wrong with you for not being able to just get over it and move on with your life. 

It's important to remember that everyone goes through this at one point or another in their lives. Everyone has periods of time where they don’t feel like working. 

What makes someone successful is not that they don’t go through these periods, but that they are able to move past them and continue on with their lives no matter how they feel in a singular period of time.

 

Do something you enjoy

When you are feeling unmotivated, you need something to get your mind off of the things that are bothering you or keeping you from tasks at hand. You need something to distract your mind in a different direction, perhaps something that you can enjoy in that moment. It may be that your mind just needs a break.

Do something that will make you happy. Or find a task that is less taxing on you.

Reading can be a great way to relax and get your mind off of things. Playing video games can help you to relax and not worry about anything else. Going out with friends and doing something you enjoy can help you to break out of the negative cycle of being unmotivated and help you to get back on track with your life and work.

 

Conclusion

Everybody goes through times when they don’t want to work. These periods are difficult for everyone, and you shouldn’t beat yourself up for them. 

When you are feeling unmotivated, the most important thing you can do is take the time to re-evaluate your situation. Look at what you have been doing and decide what you need to do in order to get yourself out of this negative cycle. 

Find something that you enjoy and do that. Find something that can help you relax and get your mind in a better place and you’ll find that you are able to get out of this a lot faster than you might expect. 

Now, keep in mind that this may not be a quick fix. It may take some time to get yourself out of the rut, but once you do, you’ll be able to come back stronger than ever before.

 

 

Procrastination has been found to be the single greatest inhibitor of performance and success for both individuals and organizations. In fact, procrastination is considered the primary roadblock when it comes to peak performance, effective time management, and the achievement of personal or professional goals.

But what exactly is procrastination? Simply put, it’s the habit of leaving things undone until the last minute or putting it off indefinitely.

Did you know that this unhelpful habit impacts 70% of people on a regular basis? The good news is we all have the power to beat procrastination and get stuff done.

But before we jump, let’s look at why exactly we procrastinate in the first place…

 

Why do we procrastinate?

The why of procrastination can vary wildly from one person to the next. However, there are some consistent reasons we put things off, including:

1. Conflicting intentions

If you’re unsure of what you want to achieve and how you want to get there, you’re likely to be a procrastinator.

2. Fear of failure or fear of success

The fear of failure can stop us in our tracks and it's often something we're not even consciously aware of.

3. Lack of focus

If you’re juggling too many tasks and don’t know where to start, you may procrastinate as a way to buy yourself more time.

4. Lack of motivation

When we don’t feel inspired or see the value in what we’re doing, we tend to procrastinate.

 

Know the reasons why you procrastinate

Not only does knowing the reasons why you procrastinate help you understand yourself and your tendencies better, but it also provides you with insight into what you need to do to stop. So, if you tend to procrastinate due to conflicting intentions, it may be time to take a look at your values and clarify what you truly want out of life.

If fear of failure is holding you back, you need to find ways to get past that and start taking small steps towards your goals. 

If you’re lacking focus, you may need to work on prioritizing your tasks and setting realistic expectations for yourself. And if you’re feeling uninspired, try setting yourself smaller, more attainable goals that help you feel more motivated and engaged in your day-to-day activities.

Whichever category you fall into if you want to beat procrastination, then you first need to identify what’s driving your need to put things off. Once you do that, you can then go about establishing strategies and tactics that help you get things done on time, in a timely manner, and without that nagging voice in your head telling you to “just put it off for another day.”

With that in mind, here are…

 

10 Steps to Help You Beat Procrastination and Get Stuff Done

1. Set clear goals: 

We know that procrastination can be caused by conflicting intentions, but what can you do about it?

One of the best ways to combat procrastination caused by conflicting intentions is to set clear goals. When you know what you want out of life, how you want to get there, and what your values are, you’re less likely to feel lost or overwhelmed. You’ll have a clear path to follow and a sense of direction that will help keep you focused and engaged in your daily activities.

So, when you feel the urge to procrastinate coming on, take a few moments to sit down and clarify what you want out of life or the situation at hand. What are your core values? What do you want to achieve? What are the benefits of completing the task you're putting off?

2. Reframe your perspective on how you view the task: 

If you’re putting something off because you’re afraid of failing try re-framing your perspective on that task. Remind yourself that failure is a necessary part of success and that failing is the best way to learn and grow. In other words, if you’re not failing, then you’re not really pushing yourself to succeed. 

Mindset plays a key role here in how you frame things in your mind. Check out my post on positive mindset skills to steer your thoughts in a more productive way.

3. Make a plan and build habits: 

Another way to combat procrastination caused by conflicting intentions is to make a plan and build habits. 

One of the best ways to keep yourself on track and focused on what’s important is to make a plan. And when we make a plan, we’re really making a promise to ourselves to do something. So, when you make a plan and promise yourself that you will complete a particular task by a certain time, you’re less likely to procrastinate and more likely to follow through.

Procrastination can also be caused by a lack of motivation, especially when we feel uninspired by the tasks ahead of us. If you find yourself struggling to stay motivated, try setting smaller, more attainable goals that allow you to take action and see immediate results. Small daily wins can help build momentum and keep you motivated so that you’re less likely to procrastinate on the things that matter.

4. Set a deadline for the task: 

If you’re putting something off because you don’t know where to start, set a deadline for when you want to start that task. Tell yourself that you need X amount of time to get started on the task. Once you set a deadline, you’ll feel a sudden sense of urgency to get it done. You need to be realistic with this, set yourself up for success by working honestly with your schedule. And see point 3 above.

5. Use accountability tools: 

Another way to fight procrastination and stay motivated is to use accountability tools. These can range from simple daily or weekly check-ins with yourself, to connecting with an online accountability partner. 

Whatever tool you choose, it’s important to find one that fits your needs and keeps you motivated. So be sure to choose a tool that is right for you and your needs. There are many types of online tools out there that can help you stay accountable. Find one that works for you and make sure to use it!

6. Delegate the task if you can: 

If you’re putting something off because you’re overwhelmed by the task, ask yourself if you can delegate it to someone else. You might be surprised to find that someone else would be more than happy to take it off your plate! Or they maybe are just happy to help you out, either way, learning to ask for help can be a motivator to getting things done if you're not in it alone.

7. Break the task down into smaller pieces: 

If you’re putting something off because you’re not giving yourself enough time to get it done, break the task down into smaller pieces. This will help you feel less overwhelmed and better equipped to get the job done.

8. Focus on your “why”: 

If you’re putting something off because you’re not sure where to start, focus on your “why.” What drives you? What makes you excited? What do you want to accomplish in your life? What do you want to leave behind? What are your passions and what are your interests?

If you want to beat procrastination, then finding your “why" is a great place to start. Why are you doing what you are doing? Why are you working the job you are working? Why are you doing the things you are doing in your personal life? Find your “why” and it will help you drive the decisions you make and help you stay focused on what is really important in your life. It will also help you stay motivated and driven throughout the ups and downs of life.

9. Make a public commitment: 

If you’re putting something off because you’re afraid of letting others down, commit to it in public and make a promise to yourself that you will get it done. Accountability is a very strong motivator!

For example, you can make a public commitment to your friends or family members by telling them that you will complete the task at hand before a certain date. If you are a member of an online community this is a great place to make a public commitment. Ask other members to check back with you on your progress, or announce a deadline when you'll 'show' them your progress.

10. Don’t forget to celebrate:

Lastly, don’t forget to reward yourself! A lot of what we do is forward-looking and focused on achieving our goals. However, sometimes we forget to celebrate the little wins along the way. When you’re beating procrastination and getting stuff done, celebrate your successes along the way. When you complete a task, no matter how small it may seem, reward yourself in some small way. If you fail to make your deadline - no reward.

 

In today’s challenging business landscape, it’s increasingly important for would be entrepreneurs to develop a confident and adaptable mindset. Thankfully, there are many ways that we can train our brain to operate more effectively and efficiently. Mindset is one such skill—and arguably the most important one for success in any field. 

This article will explore what exactly mindset is, why it’s so important, common pitfalls that prevent people from developing a healthy mindset, and strategies for mastering a positive mindset skill set. 

Whether you work in business or are an aspiring professional with aspirations of advancement, these insights might just be the catalyst you need to take your career to the next level.

 

What is Mindset?

A mindset is a conscious or unconscious set of attitudes, beliefs, and expectations that determines how we process and respond to information. In other words, your mindset is the lens through which you view the world—and it determines how you approach challenges, opportunities, and even relationships. 

There are two main types of mindset: positive and negative. A positive mindset is optimistic, open-minded, and future-focused. Conversely, a negative mindset is pessimistic, closed-minded, and focused on past failures. 

Having a positive mindset helps you overcome challenges more effectively and efficiently, while staying motivated and thriving in even the most stressful environments. Having a negative mindset, on the other hand, leads to feelings of stress, frustration, and even self-doubt. For this reason, it’s important to develop a positive mindset skillset.

 

Why is a Positive Mindset Important?

Having a positive mindset is incredibly important for success in any field. In fact, studies suggest that a positive mindset might even be more important than intelligence when it comes to reaching one’s goals. 

Here are a few reasons why:

A positive mindset promotes grit and resiliency. When you’re facing challenges and setbacks, a positive mindset gives you the tools to stay focused, motivated, and productive. It also helps you keep things in perspective: one bad outcome doesn’t define your future success.

A positive mindset enables greater creativity and innovation. Because you’re open-minded, you’re able to explore new ideas and concepts without letting fear or doubt get in the way. This is an essential skill when you need to come up with breakthrough solutions to complex issues. 

A positive mindset leads to better relationships and helps you approach others with an open and constructive mindset. You’re able to listen actively, ask good questions, and have productive conversations. These are essential qualities in any leader or collaboration.

 

3 Habits to Develop a Strong and Healthy Mindset

1. Calm your emotions with mindfulness. 

Mindfulness is a practice that’s been around for thousands of years; it’s one of the oldest forms of meditation. When you practice mindfulness, you focus on the present moment: your emotions, thoughts, and even physical sensations are all welcome. This helps you stay in control of your emotions and avoid getting overwhelmed. 

While emotions are important for success, having them take over can lead to poor decision-making and hinder your ability to thrive in challenging environments. Mindfulness is a great way to keep your emotions in check and avoid letting them become destructive.

2. Stop catastrophizing and learn from your mistakes. 

Humans are notorious for “catastrophizing”: turning small setbacks into catastrophic failures. If you make a mistake, don’t let it consume you. Instead, make sure to learn from it so you can move forward more effectively. 

If you do catastrophize, you’ll find it difficult to stay motivated and productive in the long term. By shifting your mindset, you can avoid costly mistakes and stay focused on success.

3. Set positive and constructive goals. 

Having positive and constructive goals is an essential part of developing a strong and healthy mindset. What are your long and short term goals? How do they align with your values? Are they realistic? 

Setting positive and constructive goals is a great way to keep yourself focused on success and make sure you avoid getting caught up in the rest of the noise in your life.

 

2 Practices to Solidify Habits and Develop a Stronger Mindset

1. Practice gratitude. 

Gratitude is an ancient technique that’s been shown to have a wide variety of benefits in all areas of life. By shifting your focus from negative to positive, gratitude has the potential to improve your mental and physical health, increase your enjoyment of life, and even strengthen your relationships. 

Studies have also shown that gratitude is highly effective for mental health. By practicing gratitude, you can reduce feelings of sadness and anger, and even improve your mood. Having an attitude of gratitude is an important part of having a strong and healthy mindset.

2. Perform a self-awareness exercise. 

Self-awareness exercises help you recognize and understand the emotions, goals, and fears that shape your perspective. They can be done in a variety of ways: journaling, completing a questionnaire, or even having a conversation with a trusted friend. The key is to be honest and open with yourself, even if the process is uncomfortable. 

Self-awareness exercises can be difficult and uncomfortable, but they can also be very rewarding. They’ll help you understand your emotions and personality better, and they can assist you in creating a positive mindset.

 

Conclusion

A positive mindset is essential for success, and it can be developed through a wide variety of techniques, including mindfulness, gratitude, and self-awareness exercises. Having a positive mindset will help you overcome challenges more effectively and efficiently, stay motivated, and thrive in even the most stressful environment.

 

Namaste
Shawnna