Creativity

9 Easy Steps to Make a Career Switch into Tech: Where Creativity Meets Technology

Leave a Comment / Career, Creativity, Innovation, Problem-solving, Thinking / By Iredafe Owolabi

How to Make a Career Switch into Tech Creatively With the current buzz of AI tools like ChatGPT, Bard, and other revolutionary trends powered by technology, more and more people have began to consider transitiong or switching careers to tech. I agree that tech is not for everyone but if you have an interest, there is no harm in exploring it in tech. So, have you ever desired to make a career switch into tech? If yes, then this article will stir you in the right direction. In today’s rapidly evolving world, the intersection of creativity and technology has given birth to groundbreaking innovations. These discoveries have shaped our lives in ways we couldn’t have imagined just a decade ago. This fusion has created a dynamic and diverse landscape in the tech industry, welcoming individuals from all walks of life to embark on a career switch into this exciting field. If you’re someone with a creative background, wondering how to bridge the gap and transition into tech, this blog is your guide to making a successful leap. In this article, I will share some tips that can help you creatively transition to a tech career that suits you by using my personal story as inspiration. By the way, if you want to understand what creativity really is, you can read this blog: What is Creativity? Here is My Powerful 7-Sided Definition! 9 Steps to Make a Successful Career Switch into Tech with Creativity 1. Recognize Your Transferable Skills – This is Where Creativity Meets Technology First and foremost, realize that your creative skills are far from irrelevant in the tech sector. Problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, and the ability to think outside the box are all highly valued skills in tech roles. These skills, often honed in creative pursuits, are directly applicable to roles such as user experience (UX) design, graphic design, content creation, and even software development. The emergence of Digital revolution has made it possible to easily reinvent yourself and experience true adventure while deploying your creative problem solving skills. This is something that makes a career switch into technology worth it. For me, that was what spurred my interest in software development. Being a Chemical Engineer by the traditional education system, I discovered that I wanted more from my life than what that field offered. I had so many ideas, gifts and skills that I wanted to explore the world with. So even before I had any interest in software development, I started out sharpening them. The first skill sets I honed among others, were my creative writing skills, presentation, negotiation, marketing, personal branding and my public speaking skills. To learn more about creativity, I recommend you read “Ignite Your Creativity“. 2. Use Your Current Skills to Fill the Gaps Creatively Now you have identified the existing skills that made you thrive in you previous career. You probably recognized the gifts that were suppressed before. What next? Well, your next step should be to figure out how that can compensate for what you lack in the tech field you intend to venture into. When I discovered that I could further reinvent myself and harness my creativity by venturing into software development, it dawned on me that I had transferable skills that could help me succeed in my journey as a programmer. One of the transferable skills was that I spend 10 hours daily writing books, and whoever read my books always fell in love with my flow of thought, use of literature, content and presentation. You may not already be doing 10 hours on your laptop writing a book. But if you can spend at least 3 hours watching a movie or a football match, it means you have the patience required to venture into a technology related field. This is pretty much because your job would require that quality from you if you finally make the switch into Information Technology. Figure out a skill or trait unique to your personality and try to find ways that can help you compensate for what you may lack as you transition. 3. Embrace Lifelong Learning Tech is an ever-evolving field, and its fast-paced nature means that continuous learning is crucial. But don’t be daunted! Your background in creativity positions you well for this challenge. Just as artists and writers refine their craft, you can approach learning to code, mastering new software, or understanding complex algorithms as a form of creative expression. There’s beauty in creating functional and elegant solutions through code, just as there is in crafting a beautiful painting or a compelling story. I took online courses on educational platforms like Udemy, LinkedIn Learning and PluralSight to hone my technical skills. You may want to take online courses, bootcamps or classes. Try to go with what works for you and spend less time with analysis paralysis. 4. Leverage Your Unique Perspective Your creative background gives you a unique lens through which you can approach tech problems. Creatives often have a knack for empathizing with users, understanding their needs, and crafting experiences that resonate. This perspective can be invaluable in roles like UX/UI design, where the ability to marry aesthetics with functionality is paramount. The fact that you come from a different background from tech is not a disadvantage. It is a leverage if you know how to use it because it makes you divergent. For more on how divergence can boost your creativity, read this blog: How Divergent Thinking can Quickly Boost Your Creativity. 5. Network and Collaborate Transitioning into tech involves not just mastering new skills but also building connections within the industry. Attend tech meetups, workshops, and conferences to meet like-minded individuals who can offer guidance, mentorship, and potential job opportunities. Collaborating on projects can help you showcase your skills, learn from others, and demonstrate your ability to work in cross-functional teams – a skill highly sought after in tech roles. 6. Upskill Strategically Rather than feeling overwhelmed by the vast array of tech skills, focus

The Story of How I Became a Thought Leader in Creativity

How I Became a Thought Leader in Creativity – 10 Inspiring Stories

Leave a Comment / Creativity, Book Writing, Problem-solving / By Iredafe Owolabi

The Story of How I Became a Thought Leader in Creativity Before I made Canada my home, there were various experiences that shaped me into the authority I am today in the realm of creativity and problem-solving. These memories have followed me everywhere I go. Even as I share my knowledge, insights, and techniques from one conference stage to another, and from nation to nation, those moments remain top of mind. This journey towards mastery in creativity cannot be done in one short story. So, I did my best to put together 10 inspiring stories and milestones from my journey in a summarized form here. I do hope you find it inspiring and would like to get your thoughts in the comment section after you read this article. How it All Began – The Journey to Creativity Mastery My journey into the domain of creativity took a remarkable turn when I was invited to deliver keynote presentations in Katsina, a culturally rich state in northern Nigeria. The thought-provoking 2-day conference, tagged “Think Outside the Box,” was held in 2018 and brought together a diverse audience of youth and adults who warmly embraced the unconventional ideas I presented. It was during this event that I realized the pressing need to bridge the gap between having great ideas, gifts, or potential and transforming them into profitable creations. The Problem I wanted to solve Before embarking on this speaking engagement, I had observed that a sizable portion of people often fail to fully tap into their creative potential. Many carry untapped reservoirs of gifts, talents, skills, and ideas that often go unnoticed and remain dormant unless ignited. Some have simply outsourced their creativity to God, when, in fact, God has already sourced them with the ability to be creative. He did that so He could ensure that the creative work He initiated in the beginning would continue. However, many potential creatives are yet to take their place in today’s world and contribute to the ongoing creation story. Another pain point – Insufficient Information on Creativity During my research for the presentation at Katsina, I made a profound observation. I noticed that there was a scarcity of information that could sufficiently explain what creativity truly meant. I wanted to grasp a solid understanding of the very fundamentals of creativity and how they can be harnessed intentionally. However, the existing resources were either abstract, disorganized, confusing, or inadequate. The information available online at that time was either half-baked truth or well-baked ignorance. If like me, you have sought answers to the question “what is creativity?” I got you covered. Check this article for answers: What is Creativity? Here is My Powerful 7-Sided Definition! Lack of Structured Content I also noticed another pain point in addition to the lack of reliable resources. There was no packaged resource available to save interested seekers from wasting time on poorly structured free content online. This gap inspired me to create a solution. So, determined to find answers, I embarked on a personal journey of exploration, guided by the Spirit of God. After delivering an exceptional presentation at the seminar, I kept researching and studying the subject of creativity. That year, I wrote a book to document some of the findings I had made titled “Unlocking Your Kingdom Creativity.” Two years after publishing that book, another one followed titled “4-D Thinking” or “Fourth Dimensional Thinking.” Acquiring Problem Solving Skills It will also interest you to know that in a bid to solve the problem which I had identified, I did not stop at writing books and teaching others about creativity. I sought ways to make my understanding of the concepts and principles relatable to the everyday employee or entrepreneur in the corporate world. I wanted to go beyond mere words to truly convince others of my ability to teach, impart, and inspire creativity. To bridge the gap between theory and practice, I embarked on a journey to acquire another skill that demanded a high degree of creativity. I felt it was essential to not only share principles but also put them into action in my own daily experiences. This led me to transition into the realm of computer software programming, where I began writing words in languages that machines can read. It also helped me sharpen my problem solving skills. How this further made me a Thought Leader in Creativity By venturing into the corporate world, I gained invaluable insights into the inner workings of globally renowned tech giants known for their innovation. This includes companies like Google, Amazon, Netflix, Apple, Microsoft, and more. Through daily use of my programming skills and an informed study of the tech industry, I immersed myself in their creation processes and witnessed the continuous development of new products on a global scale. This immersive experience further refined my craft, empowering me to wield it as a powerful instrument for teaching and imparting creativity and problem-solving skills. Another speaking engagement – Creativity Accelerator Moved by a deep passion to educate and enlighten people about the true essence of creativity, I committed myself to training and teaching others how to discover and harness their creativity and critical thinking skills. As I traveled from one conference to another, from one stage to the next, sharing my knowledge and experiences, a pivotal moment occurred – I made a promise. Let me tell you how it all happened. In the year 2019, on a sunny afternoon, as I sat in my bedroom trying to take a nap, my phone rang. As I picked up the phone, I had no idea that the ensuing conversation would go on to weave the threads of destiny. I believe this conversation set me on a transformative path as a thought leader and an established authority in the arena of creativity. The message I received from the caller was nothing short of an invitation—an esteemed opportunity to share my insights and wisdom at a youth conference held in the vibrant city of

2 Essential Types of Creativity and How to Easily Leverage Them

Leave a Comment / Creativity, Innovation, Problem-solving / By Iredafe Owolabi

https://youtu.be/3cnyCDfHsMM 2 Types of Creativity and How to Easily Leverage Them Creativity is the lifeblood of innovation and progress. It fuels our ability to think beyond the boundaries of what already exists and envision new possibilities. Before going into the types of creativity, I will like to give you a quick review of what creativity is. My most concise definition of creativity is simply to think differently and do differently. If you would like to really understand what creativity is all about before delving into the types of creativity, then read this blog: What is Creativity? Here is My Powerful 7-Sided Definition! When it comes to creativity, there are two primary types: creating from nothing and creating from something. In this blog, we will explore these two distinct forms of creativity and delve into effective ways to harness their power to unlock your full creative potential. How I came about the Types of Creativity Now, you may want ask how I came about this so let me tell you. There are two very important Hebrew words that were used frequently in the Bible when describing the creation account. In the beginning when God created the heavens, the earth, the sun, the sky, the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, the trees and the plants, these two Hebrew words were uniquely used. The first is “bara” while the second is “asah”. The Hebrew word “bara” is usually used mostly when God is the subject of creation. At such scenarios “bara” was always used to indicate that the object or concept that God created was brought into existence out of nothing or out of previously nonexistent material. The second word that is often used in relation to creation all through the Bible is the Hebrew word “asah”. This word actually means to “make”. Whenever this word “asah” is used, it usually connotes that the object in question was fashioned out of already existent material. For more on this, you can check out my book titled “Unlocking your Kingdom Creativity“. Part 1: Creating from Nothing – The Art of Imagination Creating from nothing is often associated with the purest form of creativity. It involves starting with a blank canvas or blank sheet of paper and using your imagination to give shape to novel ideas, concepts, or works of art. Here are some key aspects of this type of creativity: 1. Leverage Curiosity: Curiosity is the spark that ignites the imagination. To create from nothing, you must cultivate a sense of wonder about the world and be open to exploring new ideas and perspectives. This is where understanding the creative power of questions can make a difference. Check out this blog for more on this: The Creative Power of Questions: 5 Keys to Innovative Discoveries 2. Engage in Frequent Reflection: Solitude provides a fertile ground for the mind to wander freely. Take time to disconnect from distractions and engage in introspection, allowing thoughts to flow organically. 3. Mindstorming and Meditation: Practices like mindfulness and meditation can help calm the mind and tap into the deeper recesses of creativity. They allow for a clear mental space where ideas can arise and take shape. For more insights on mindstorming, check this article: 6 Easy Steps to Solve Problems with Mindstorming. 4. Divergent Thinking: Intentionally practice divergent thinking, which involves generating multiple solutions to a single problem. Think beyond the obvious and conventional, exploring uncharted territories of imagination. For details on how divergent thinking can boost your creativity, read this article: How Divergent Thinking Can Quickly Boost Your Creativity. 5. Play and Experimentation: Don’t take yourself too seriously. Sometimes great discoveries are made in a more relaxed atmosphere if you are sensitive enough. Playfulness is crucial to creating from nothing. Engage in creative exercises, experiments, and games to explore new avenues of thought. Part 2: Creating from Something – The Art of Innovation Creating from something involves taking existing ideas, concepts, or materials and transforming them into something new and original. This form of creativity often underlies innovation in various fields. Here’s how to use it effectively: 1. Knowledge and Research: To create from something, you must first immerse yourself in knowledge. Research extensively, learn from existing works, and understand the subject deeply. 2. Combining Ideas: The ideation phase of creativity often involves connecting seemingly unrelated concepts. Look for patterns, analogies, and connections between different domains to spark fresh ideas. You can learn more about brainstorming ideas in this blog. 3. Iterative Process: Creation from something is rarely a one-shot deal. Embrace an iterative process, where you continuously refine and evolve your ideas based on feedback and new insights. 4. Problem-Solving: Identify challenges or gaps in existing concepts and strive to solve them creatively. Innovations often arise from addressing real-world problems with ingenuity. For more insights into how to be better at problem solving, see: 14 Strategies to Develop Your Problem Solving Skills Profitably 5. Collaborative Efforts: Engage in brainstorming sessions and collaborate with others. Diversity of perspectives can lead to innovative breakthroughs. Part 3: Balancing the Two Types of Creativity While creating from nothing and creating from something are distinct approaches, they are not mutually exclusive. In fact, the most successful creators often find a balance between the two. Here’s how to harmonize these types of creativity: 1. Cross-Pollinate: Intentionally apply insights and ideas from one domain to another. Allow the imagination to draw from existing knowledge while giving it the freedom to transcend those boundaries. 2. Embrace Constraints: Instead of viewing constraints as barriers to creativity, see them as challenges that stimulate innovation. Creativity often flourishes within limits. 3. Connect the Dots: Use mind mapping techniques to visually connect ideas and concepts. This helps in identifying potential areas of intersection between the two types of creativity. 4. Get in the Zone: By this, I mean you should seek to enter the state of flow, where you are fully immersed in your creative process. In this state, both types

What is Creativity? Here is My Powerful 7-Sided Definition!

2 Comments / Creativity, Innovation, Problem-solving, Thinking / By Iredafe Owolabi

https://youtu.be/nO4NqYN99v0 What Is Creativity? Introduction How do we define this elusive and intangible force that sparks our imagination and pushes the boundaries of human potential? This is the only article you need to understand the meaning of creativity in a way that you can explain it to a 3rd-grader without leaving them more confused. In this blog, we will delve deep into the concept of creativity, exploring its nature, its importance, and the ways it manifests in our lives. Misconception about Creativity – Big Thinking with no Doing When I discovered that creativity was a subject I was passionate about, I did a lot of research on the topic but was disappointed to find out that there was not enough insight out there. Most articles I came across online could not do justice to the definition of creativity. They seemed unable to distinguish between creativity and big thinking. That’s why, in all my interactions, be it speaking engagements or day-to-day conversations with friends, family, and people in general, I always make sure to differentiate between having great ideas and being creative. Having bright ideas is fantastic, but it does not amount to creativity. Creativity is an action word. You can think passively, but you cannot create passively. You must take a step, act, and make that change you have always imagined in your mind to truly be creative. Additional Resources1. Where Do Innovative Ideas Come From? 6 Channels2. 10 Reasons Why Creativity and Innovation is Important in Business and Work3. 8 Great Ways to Amplify Your Creativity With Intuition Define Creativity One day, a lady approached me with an intriguing request: she wanted me to explain the concept of creativity to her without using the direct terms “creative” or “create.” She sought a deeper understanding of what I meant when I referred to her own inherent creativity. In response, I offered her an analogy which I believe captures the essence of creativity. I said to her, “Your creativity is like a refined gift at work—a masterpiece of untapped potential, well-furnished for display. It’s a learned skill in motion, representing ideas that come alive through purposeful action.” I went further to say, “Think of it as your unprocessed food ingredients getting transformed into a well-cooked meal, teasing your senses with their flavors and aromas. Your creativity is what turns raw meat into a tasty, finger-licking chicken soup.” I guess she could relate more to this analogy because, by her own admission, she loved cooking. At its core, creativity is the ability to generate novel ideas and convert them to tangible solutions, or expressions that possess originality, value, and relevance. It is not limited to the realm of artists or inventors; rather, it is a universal capacity that every individual possesses to varying degrees. Creativity allows us to connect seemingly unrelated dots, to see the world from different perspectives, and to break away from conventional thinking. How to be Creative: the Creative Process The creative process is an intricate journey that often involves several stages. First, there is the stage of preparation, where one immerses themselves in the subject matter, gathers knowledge, and seeks inspiration. Next comes the incubation phase, during which the mind processes the information subconsciously, allowing ideas to germinate. This often leads to the “aha” moment in the illumination phase, where the breakthrough idea emerges seemingly out of nowhere. Lastly, there is the verification and implementation stage, where the idea is refined, tested, and put into action. By the way, to invite me for a keynote or presentation on creativity or related topics, kindly fill in the details of the invite here. So, What is Creativity? My 7-sided Definition. In the second chapter of my latest book titled “Ignite Your Creativity“, I went into great detail in a bid to explain what creativity truly meant. In this section, you can get a brief highlight. Creativity is a multi-faceted and powerful phenomenon that enriches human experience and drives innovation across various domains. Here are the seven key points from “Ignite Your Creativity” that provide a brief explanation of creativity: 1. Ability to Create: At its core, creativity is the innate ability to generate new ideas, concepts, and tangible outputs. It involves bringing something into existence that didn’t exist before, whether it’s a piece of art, a novel solution to a problem, or a novel product. If you would like to master your creating capacity, check out this blog: 5 Steps to Master Your Creativity. 2. Ability to Solve Problems: Creativity serves as a potent problem-solving tool. It enables individuals to think outside the box, break free from conventional patterns, and devise inventive solutions to complex challenges. 3. Ability of Uniqueness in State and Approach: Creativity celebrates individuality and originality. It involves expressing ideas and concepts in distinctive ways, reflecting the creator’s unique perspective and approach. 4. A Propelling Force: Creativity is a driving force that fuels progress and growth. It serves as a catalyst for advancement in various fields, encouraging exploration and pushing the boundaries of human knowledge and understanding. 5. Dynamic Change of State: The creative process is dynamic and ever-evolving. It involves navigating through multiple stages of ideation, experimentation, refinement, and realization, leading to continuous change and evolution. 6. Ability to Be Divergent: Creativity thrives on divergent thinking, the capacity to explore a wide range of possibilities and perspectives. It encourages embracing ambiguity and exploring unconventional paths. https://youtu.be/JvSsHorGTwA 7. Ability to Be Productive: Creativity is not solely about generating ideas; it also involves translating those ideas into tangible outcomes. Productivity is a crucial aspect of creativity, transforming imagination into something concrete and impactful. In summary, creativity encompasses the ability to create, solve problems, and approach situations uniquely. It serves as a propelling force for progress, embracing a dynamic and divergent process, all while promoting productivity and transforming abstract ideas into reality. Creativity in Different Domains 1. Artistic Creativity: In the world of art, creativity flourishes through painting, music, literature, dance, and other forms of

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8 Great Ways to Amplify Your Creativity With Intuition

Leave a Comment / Creativity, Innovation, Problem-solving, Thinking / By Iredafe Owolabi

8 Ways to Amplify your Creativity Through intuition Creativity is an extraordinary gift that resides within each of us, waiting to be unleashed. Often, we seek external sources for inspiration, overlooking a powerful internal compass that can elevate our creative endeavors – intuition. Intuition is the deep-seated knowing that arises from within, guiding us toward innovative solutions and artistic expressions. In this blog, I will share my personal experience with creativity using intuition and also the stories of others who achieved success in their own right. We will explore how to tap into your intuition in a bid to amplify your creativity and open the doors to boundless imagination. Understanding Intuition Intuition is often described as a gut feeling or an instinctive response to a situation without relying on logical reasoning. It is the voice of your subconscious mind, drawing on your accumulated knowledge, experiences, and emotions. Understanding the role of intuition in creativity is crucial to boosting your innovative mind’s capacity. Unlike rational thinking, intuition operates beyond conscious awareness, presenting you with insights, ideas, and visions that defy conventional thought processes. This is no longer news as it has been proven time and again that intuition and breakthrough ideas sometimes go together. Let us examine one of my numerous experiences with this side of creativity. Also Read: The 2 Basic Differences Between Creativity and Innovation Where Do Innovative Ideas Come From? 6 Channels Can Creativity Be Taught or Learned? 2 Powerful Reasons What Creativity is Not: 7 Popular Myths about Creativity My Personal Story One day as I worked in my capacity as a software engineer, I had a tricky puzzle to solve. You see, I had to fix some issues that were causing the company’s software to behave unexpectedly. It was a complex problem because there was a small mistake causing trouble, but the tricky part was that the mistake wouldn’t show up when anyone wanted to replicate it. It was like trying to catch a sneaky bug that only came out when no one was looking! So, there I was, sitting at my desk, feeling a bit lost because I couldn’t figure out where to search for the problem. But then something amazing happened. Suddenly, I heard a tiny voice inside me saying, “check the feature toggle.” It was like a whisper, but it grabbed my attention right away. By the way, if you want to extract your superpowers, solve big problems and make smarter decisions, I recommend you read “4D Thinking”. Now, let me explain what that means. You know when you have a button on your phone or computer that turns something on or off? Well, in this case, there was a special button that controlled a specific part of the program I was working on. It was called a “feature toggle.” It’s like having the power to switch a certain function of the program on or off. When I heard that little voice telling me to check the feature toggle, it was like a light bulb turning on in my head! I had a strong feeling that looking in that direction might just solve the problem. And guess what? It did! You see, sometimes our inner voice or intuition can guide us in the right direction when we are trying to solve a problem, even when things seem confusing or complicated. It’s like having a secret helper inside us, giving us clues to find the answers we’re looking for. So, with newfound confidence, I followed that intuitive message and examined the feature toggle. And just as I suspected, there was a little switch that was causing the trouble, and no one had a clue about it. By making a small adjustment, I fixed the bug, and everything started working smoothly. This story shows how our intuition can be an invaluable asset. It’s like having a smart advisor whispering helpful suggestions to us. And by listening to that inner voice, we can solve problems and find solutions, no matter how complex they may seem. Do you see how intuition’s link to idea generation bailed me at work? I know this is not a big deal like inventing a spacecraft but if you cannot trust your intuition for little problems, how would you tap into intuition in the creative process of a space ship? This explains how the switch of intuition can ignite your creativity if leveraged. Other People’s Opinion Richard Branson once said that he relies far more on gut instinct than researching huge amounts of statistics. In other words, he keeps himself abreast of statistical projections and permutations but ultimately leans toward his gut feeling. Similarly, Steve Jobs once said, “Intuition is a very powerful thing, more powerful than intellect, in my opinion.” Oprah Winfrey also shared, “I’ve trusted the still, small voice of intuition my entire life. And the only time I’ve made mistakes is when I didn’t listen.” To the outsider, it looks like these people have been blessed by luck. Everything they touch turns to gold. But the truth is that they’ve tapped into an intelligence that is rarely wrong. You can call it your gut feeling, your sixth sense, or even just a hunch, but each one of us has that inner voice that seeks to guide us. The trick is learning how to really listen and distinguish between the intuitive guiding hand of your human spirit and your own mental chatter. Intuition refers to the ability to understand or know something instinctively, without the need for conscious reasoning or analysis. It is often described as a “gut feeling” or an inner sense that guides decision-making or problem-solving. Intuition can manifest as sudden insights, hunches, or a deep sense of knowing. Intuition plays a significant role in the creative process. Creativity involves generating novel ideas, making connections between seemingly unrelated concepts, and finding innovative solutions to problems. Intuition acts as a switch for creativity by facilitating the flow of ideas and allowing the mind to make unconventional

Banish Your Inner Critic and Unblock Your Creativity

10 Easy Steps to Unblock Your Creativity and Banish your Inner Critic

1 Comment / Creativity, Innovation, Problem-solving / By Iredafe Owolabi

How to Banish Your Inner Critic and Unblock Your Creativity Creativity is a beautiful gift that resides within all of us, waiting to be unleashed. However, many individuals struggle to express their creativity due to the relentless presence of their inner critic. This self-doubting voice can stifle inspiration, hinder progress, and prevent you from reaching your full creative potential. Before we go further, let us see why you should banish your inner critic. By the way, if you want to learn more about blockers of creativity, grab a copy of my latest book titled “Ignite Your Creativity” here. What is this Inner Critic about? The “inner critic” refers to that little voice inside your head that constantly judges and doubts your creative ideas and work. It’s like having a negative and overly critical roommate who always tells you that your art, writing, or any creative endeavor is not good enough or will fail. This inner critic can be quite persistent, always pointing out flaws, comparing your work to others, and making you doubt your abilities. Imagine you’re painting a picture or writing a story, and while you’re trying to create something beautiful, this nagging voice keeps saying things like, “This looks terrible,” “You’re not talented enough,” or “Nobody will like this.” It can be really discouraging and make you feel anxious about expressing yourself creatively. The inner critic often holds you back from taking creative risks and exploring new ideas because it constantly tells you that you’ll fail or that your work won’t be perfect. This can make it challenging to fully tap into your creativity and enjoy the process of creating. However, the good news is that you can learn to recognize and manage this inner critic. By becoming aware of its presence, challenging its negative thoughts, and embracing imperfections as a natural part of the creative process, you can free yourself to be more creative and express yourself authentically without constantly worrying about judgment or self-doubt. Further Reading:1. What is Creativity? Here is My Powerful 7-Sided Definition!2. Innovation vs Tradition — 7 Keys to Breaking out of the Box3. 14 Strategies to Develop Your Problem Solving Skills Profitably4. 5 Steps To Break the Curse of Creativity [What, Why and How to Unlock Your Potential] Why Banish Your Inner Critic? In the realm of creativity, the inner critic can be a formidable adversary, capable of stifling even the most brilliant ideas. It is essential to banish this internal naysayer to unlock the full potential of your creativity. Here are compelling reasons why silencing your inner critic is crucial: 1. Freedom of Expression: The inner critic acts as a gatekeeper, allowing only ideas that meet its stringent standards to pass through. By banishing this critical voice, you liberate yourself to explore unconventional and daring concepts, fostering a greater sense of freedom in your creative expression. 2. Unleashing Innovation: Creativity thrives on taking risks and pushing boundaries. The inner critic, driven by a fear of failure, discourages experimentation. When you silence this voice of doubt, you create space for innovative ideas to emerge, leading to groundbreaking and original creations. 3. Amplified Productivity: The constant self-criticism can impede progress and lead to creative blocks. By banishing your inner critic, you embrace a more positive and constructive mindset that fuels your productivity. You become more open to exploring multiple avenues, thus boosting your creative output. 4. Authentic Self-Expression: The inner critic often influences us to conform to societal norms or imitate others’ work. By silencing this voice, you tap into your authentic self, allowing your creativity to reflect your unique perspective and experiences. 5. Enhanced Self-Confidence: A pervasive inner critic erodes self-confidence, leading to self-doubt and hesitation. When you banish this negative influence, you develop a strong belief in your abilities and ideas, empowering you to pursue your creative passions with conviction. 6. Embracing Imperfection: Creativity thrives in an environment that accepts imperfections and sees them as opportunities for growth. Banishing your inner critic allows you to embrace mistakes as stepping stones toward improvement rather than obstacles to be feared. If you want to learn how to unlock your creativity with kingdom principles, check out “Unlocking Your Kingdom Creativity“. 10 Steps to Unblock Your Creativity 1. Identify and Understand Your Inner Critic The first step towards overcoming your inner critic is to recognize its existence. This negative inner voice often manifests as self-criticism, doubt, fear of failure, and comparison with others. By becoming aware of these thoughts and emotions, you can gain better control over them. It manifests in thoughts such as “I’m not good enough,” “I can’t do it as well as others,” or “My ideas aren’t worthy.” By identifying these self-critical thoughts, you can begin to challenge their validity. 2. Challenge Negative Thoughts Once you identify your inner critic’s patterns, it’s time to challenge its authority. Whenever a negative thought arises, ask yourself if there’s any evidence to support it. More often than not, you’ll find that these thoughts are baseless and unfounded. Replace them with positive affirmations that encourage and support your creative journey. 3. Embrace Imperfection One of the main triggers for the inner critic is the fear of imperfection. Accept that perfection is unattainable and that making mistakes is a natural part of the creative process. Embrace imperfections as opportunities for growth and learning, and remember that many masterpieces have been born from perceived flaws. 4. Cultivate a Growth Mindset Adopting a growth mindset is crucial for unlocking your creativity. Embrace challenges, view failures as stepping stones, and believe in your ability to improve with effort and dedication. A growth mindset allows you to see setbacks as temporary roadblocks, rather than permanent barriers. 5. Surround Yourself with Positive Influences Your environment plays a significant role in shaping your thoughts and emotions. Surround yourself with supportive, positive, and like-minded individuals who encourage your creative pursuits. Engage in communities or workshops where you can share ideas and experiences with fellow creatives, fostering an atmosphere of inspiration

The Creative Power of Questions: 5 Keys to Innovative Discoveries

1 Comment / Creativity, Innovation, Problem-solving / By Iredafe Owolabi

The Creative Power of Questions: 5 Keys to Innovative Discoveries In a world filled with endless possibilities, there is one tool that has the power to unlock our hidden potential and fuel groundbreaking discoveries: questions. When I think about the creative power of questions, I remember Indira Gandhi’s quote. Now, Indira Gandhi was the first female Prime minister of India and at the time of this writing, she was the only female who ever handled that office. Despite having similar names, she was not related to Mahatma Gandhi in any way. This lady said something worth contemplating when she said that “the power to question is the basis of all human progress.” A lot of people want answers for which they have never asked a question. The fact however is that life only gives to man as much as he demands from it. If you ask nothing from life, then life will give you nothing in return. If you ask for a penny in life, you only get a penny. By the way, if you would like to have me speak on this or any other creativity related topic at your conference, you can fill this request form here. Further Reading:1. What is the Source of Creativity, Innovation and Invention? 2. Can Creativity Be Taught or Learned? 2 Powerful Reasons 3. What is 4th Dimensional Thinking? A Powerful Exposition 1. Asking the Right Questions Until one man questions the validity of a popular belief that has become entrenched into the tradition and culture of institutions, societies, organizations and even nations, nobody would wake up from the state of slumber which conventional and traditional beliefs places on people. The Catholic Church of the medieval period taught that people needed to pay money in order to secure the afterlife and avoid punishment for their wrongs. Until Martin Luther King began to ask questions, nobody noticed the insanity in the practices of the Catholic bishops and pope. Many people are living ordinary lives today because they asked ordinary questions yesterday. They are asking for an increase in their minimum wage when they ought to be asking for ways they can make their offices, enterprises and nation more productive. They are asking for a means of livelihood when they ought to have asked for the solution to the vast needs in their nation. The truth is that no amount of minimum wage was designed to be enough especially in underdeveloped countries. 2. Embracing Curiosity Every inventor and discoverer embarks on their quest armed with transformative questions that challenge existing norms. The quality of our lives is a direct reflection of the questions we’ve posed to ourselves and the world. Asking the right questions can be life-transforming, while the wrong ones may lead us astray. Embracing curiosity and seeking groundbreaking answers can lead us to success and fulfillment. Thomas Edison has 1,093 patents in America alone to his name because he asked more than a thousand questions and would not stop until he got an answer. On one of his innovations, he kept asking questions repeatedly for more than 1,000 times until he got the answer that made the light bulb discovery possible. Today we still benefit from the solutions that were contained in an answer that came from asking one question repeatedly. This shows you the creative power of questions! He kept demanding an answer to his questions for more than a thousand times until the answer that contained the solution which we all benefit from today was given to him. Answers contain solutions that come from questions. The quality of any answer is directly determined by the quality of the questions that are asked. It is no longer news therefore, that every discoverer and inventor begins his quest with a transformative question that challenges the status quo. No matter how wonderful things are right now in your life, your profession, organization, corporation or nation today, it can be better. It will only get better however, if you or someone daring enough would question the present situation of things whether these things are working fine already or not. 3. Thoughtful Inquiries When Jeff Bezos retired from his well paid job, he was asking for something greater than a paycheck. He was asking for a better means to get books to readers. He never knew the answer to that question would produce a multidimensional solution provider in the world. Today, Jeff Bezos is the richest man in the world because he founded Amazon, the answer to the questions that caused him to resign from a high paying job. Amazon today does not only sell books to its customers as it did when it earlier began. It now sells everything to everyone. It even provides secure cloud services to governments of nations. It also provides scores of other web based services to merchants all over the world. All this came as a result of groundbreaking questions that produced groundbreaking solutions to problems clothed in their answers. Great questions are clearly the quickest and surest paths to great answers and sometimes questions are more important than answers. How do you intend to leverage the creative power of questions in your own journey today? 4. Asking Questions that shape your life Too often, untapped wisdom and creativity surround us, waiting to be unlocked. Learning from top performers and seeking their insights through intelligent questions can propel us towards success. In organizations, encouraging a culture of asking and sharing questions can foster innovation and growth. Brian Tracy made an observation when on a speaking engagement with some companies. He discovered that most times, people knew who the top salesmen in an organization were but none of the other salesmen ever went to ask the salesmen questions on how they got to the top. As long as they never asked questions they never made it to the top. There is so much untapped wisdom and creativity around you waiting to be unlocked by you asking an intelligent question. This was

5 Amazing Creativity Lessons I Borrowed From Mary

Leave a Comment / Creativity, Problem-solving / By Iredafe Owolabi

Creativity Lessons from Mary’s Journey Creativity is a powerful force that transcends time and culture. It can be found in various forms and has the ability to shape the world around us. When exploring the subject of creativity, one might not immediately think of Mary, the mother of Jesus, as a source of inspiration. However, Mary’s life, as depicted in the Bible, offers us valuable lessons that can ignite our creative spirit. In my experience as a creativity coach, I have found procreation as a very profound metaphor that helps to describe creativity. Mary, the mother of Jesus, embodies the essence of an individual chosen by God to bring His creative ideas into the world. By closely examining her story, we can uncover valuable lessons that will enable us to operate with creativity and make a lasting impact. If you want to study more on creativity, you can get the digital copy of “Ignite Your Creativity” here. The hard copy is available here. 5 Creativity Lessons You Can Learn From Mary 1. Conceive an Idea: Just as Mary was chosen to conceive and bear a great son, God wants to impregnate your mind with ideas that will transform the world. Your past accomplishments or lack thereof does not limit God’s ability to birth something remarkable through you. By acknowledging your divine purpose and remaining open to God’s revelation, you can receive groundbreaking ideas that have the potential to revolutionize society. This creativity lesson is very fundamental. Further reading: How to birth your brainchild 2. Do not limit yourself: When she was told about the idea God had for her to bear a son, her first response was, “how can this be possible when I know not a man”. Many creatives tend to limit the potential of their creative ideas because they don’t have the people that can make that possible. Mary’s encounter with the angel revealed that the Holy Spirit would overshadow her, enabling the conception of a child without human intervention. Similarly, we must rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to bring our creative ideas to fruition. Our lack of connections, experience, or resources should not hinder us, for it is by the Spirit’s guidance that we can navigate the challenges and limitations we may face. Trusting in the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and direction empowers us to accomplish what may seem impossible. In addition to this, always know that God will bring the men, materials and resources need to bring your ideas to fruition if you will take the first step. 3. Finding Inspiration in Role Models: Mary sought guidance from her cousin Elizabeth, who had also experienced a similar conception. Likewise, you should identify and learn from those who have walked a similar path or achieved success in our desired field. Role models provide inspiration, practical insights, and encouragement. Through studying their stories, books, or interviews, you can gain valuable lessons and wisdom that will propel you forward in your creative endeavors. 4. Nurturing in the Face of Doubt: Mary’s journey was met with doubt and skepticism from others, but she remained steadfast in her belief. As creators, we may encounter skepticism or disbelief from those around us. Yet, like Mary, we must nurture and protect our creative ideas, trusting in God’s promises and embracing the potential impact they can have on the world. Believing in your vision and staying committed to its development will lead to its fulfillment. 5. Receiving Encouragement and Affirmation: Elizabeth’s words of blessing and affirmation uplifted Mary and strengthened her resolve. Similarly, you need supportive individuals who believe in your creative abilities and offer encouragement along the way. Surrounding yourself with mentors, friends, or communities that affirm your gifts and provide constructive feedback is vital for nurturing your creativity and maintaining a positive mindset. Conclusion: Creativity Lessons Mary’s journey teaches us profound lessons about unlocking our creativity. By embracing divine impregnation, trusting in the Holy Spirit’s guidance, seeking inspiration from role models, nurturing our ideas despite doubt, and receiving encouragement, we can bring forth creative solutions that impact the world. Follow Mary’s footsteps, allowing God to impregnate your mind with divine ideas. Nurture them with faith, resilience, and the support of others. As we embrace our role as creatives, we can unleash our creative potential and contribute to making a positive difference in our sphere of influence. If you would like to learn more about creativity from kingdom perspective, I recommend you get one of my books titled “Unlocking your Kingdom Creativity“. So tell me in comments section, which creativity lesson are you going to borrow from this article? If you found this valuable, or you have a question or different perspective, please leave a comment below and I will be happy to engage with you in the comment section.

7 Reasons You Should Write a Book Even If You Have No Experience

Leave a Comment / Book Writing, Creativity / By Iredafe Owolabi

7 Reasons You Should Write a Book Even If You Have No Experience When I started writing, I had no experience. All I had was an insight and I went ahead to publish it because people on facebook at the time felt like my articles were insightful. Today I have written 17 books and counting, so I know what it feels like when you feel you lack enough experience to become an author. You may wonder, “why should I learn how to write a book with no experience”? The reason is you do not need to have years of experience to write a book. If you do not have experience, there is something you have. It could be a story, some research finding or an insight that piques your interest. Basically, the bar of entry to write a book is that you just need to be able to share your story, and everyone has a story, including you. In today’s information age, where knowledge is highly sought after, writing a book offers a unique opportunity to share your wisdom, expertise, and experiences with a wide audience. Even though writing a book might seem like a daunting task, if you’re passionate about a topic or have a story to share, writing a book can be an incredibly rewarding experience. If you don’t know the first thing about becoming an author, maybe you should first understand why you should write a book before learning how to write a book. Whether you’re an aspiring author or have already been published, this blog explores seven compelling reasons why you should consider writing a book. Spoiler alert – make sure to read number seven because it will blow your mind! 1. When You Write a Book, You Solve a Painful Problem Do you have a knack for generating ideas in order to meet pressing needs and painful problems? Do you know that you possess in you, the painkiller to the ache of someone out there who is hurting? Writing a book allows you to lend your voice as a solution to the myriad problems people face today. By packing your book with valuable insights, you can inspire, motivate, and provide relief to readers seeking answers. With your book in their hands, your published material can work its magic, helping people even when you’re busy with other commitments. For example, I found out there were many people full of ideas who needed help turning those ideas to tangible solutions, so I wrote a book to help them solve that problem. Take a look at the picture below to see it. Grab a copy on amazon here. Writing a book that is a solution to a specific problem does not only establish you as an expert but also creates a win-win situation, as readers benefit from your solutions while you receive recognition and financial rewards in return. If you want to become a profitable problem solver, check out this workbook titled “Profitable Problem Solving Workbook“. 2. To Help Others Learn the Ropes By becoming an author, you can guide others in areas where you possess specialized knowledge or skills. Your unique experiences, learnings, and practices can be packaged into marketable and learnable quantities, offering valuable teachings to those eager to gain new knowledge. Sharing your expertise through a book allows you to empower and equip others, helping them overcome challenges and achieve success. Your book has the potential to change lives and inspire others. Through your words, you can motivate and empower readers to overcome challenges, pursue their dreams, or gain new perspectives. The impact you have on even a single reader can be immeasurable, making writing a book a powerful way to make a difference in the world. 3. Become a Reference Point for Generations When readers find value in your book, they naturally begin to reference and quote from it. This establishes you as a trusted source of knowledge and positions you as a reference point for various generations. Your book becomes a testament to your expertise, and as it gets referenced by professors, CEOs, leaders, and professionals, your influence grows exponentially. The ripple effect of being a reference point expands your reach and increases your credibility, leading to more opportunities and exposure. When you write a book, it allows you to share your unique knowledge, experiences, and expertise with the world. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a professional in a specific field, or a passionate hobbyist, your book can become a valuable resource for others seeking guidance and inspiration. By sharing your insights, you position yourself as an authority and gain credibility in your niche. 4. Launch a Speaking Career Writing a book can act as a launching pad for a successful speaking career. When you add value through your book, people not only purchase it but also book you as a speaker. As a bestselling author, you become highly sought after, receiving invitations to speak at events, conferences, and seminars. Your book acts as a testament to your knowledge and expertise, making it easier to market yourself as a speaker. Speaking engagements not only offer financial rewards but also help you reach a wider audience, amplifying your influence and reputation. To know more about how to write a book that can build your speaking career, click here. 5. Be an Effective Role Model and Mentor Writing a book that provides solutions to specific problems positions you as a guide, mentor, and role model. As readers gain insights from your book, they look up to you for guidance and inspiration. Your book enables you to connect with readers and establish yourself as someone they can admire and learn from. Moreover, by referring them to your book, you can mentor multiple individuals simultaneously, saving time while still imparting valuable knowledge and guidance. Read this article if you need help figuring out what to write about: What Should I Write a Book About? 14 Hot Book Ideas 6. Display Your Expertise or Skills Writing

6 Easy Steps to Solve Problems with Mindstorming

Leave a Comment / Creativity, Problem-solving, Thinking / By Iredafe Owolabi

How to Solve Problems with Mindstorming In today’s world, where conventional thinking often falls short, it’s essential to tap into the depths of your mind to find innovative solutions to problems. While the conscious mind plays a significant role in decision-making, it’s the combination of conscious and subconscious thinking that can lead to extraordinary results. Mindstorming, a technique that leverages both realms of the mind, allows us to transcend traditional boundaries and discover unconventional approaches to problem-solving. In this blog, we will delve deeper into the concept of mindstorming and explore how it can unleash your creativity and revolutionize your problem-solving abilities. Mindstorming vs Brainstorming When we engage in brainstorming, we harness the power of our minds to generate ingenious solutions based on the information, knowledge, and experiences stored in our brains. Mindstorming takes idea generation to a more profound level by tapping into both the conscious and subconscious mind. While brainstorming focuses primarily on conscious thinking, mindstorming expands our exploration to the realm of the subconscious. Our subconscious mind possesses immense creative potential and can offer unconventional perspectives and insights. By incorporating both realms of the mind, mindstorming allows us to unlock deeper levels of creativity and discover solutions that go beyond conventional thinking. It involves introspection, reflection, and the exploration of intuitive ideas that may not have emerged solely through conscious brainstorming. Can We Solve Problems with Mindstorming? Mindstorming is a powerful technique that taps into the potential of both the conscious and subconscious mind to solve problems and generate innovative solutions. By expanding our thinking beyond the limitations of logical reasoning and conventional approaches, mindstorming opens up new avenues for problem-solving. Let’s explore how mindstorming can be an effective tool in tackling various challenges. If you want to know more about the conscious mind, check out this blog. How Does Mindstorming Help You Become a Problem-Solver? It helps you Go Beyond the Conscious Mind: Your conscious mind, although capable of rational thinking and logical analysis, has its limitations. It often operates within the framework of known information and experiences. However, many complex problems require thinking beyond what is readily available to you.When you mindstorm, you are able to access your subconscious mind, which holds a vast reserve of untapped ideas, memories, and patterns. By tapping into this deeper level of thinking, you can explore unconventional solutions that the conscious mind might overlook. It helps you Unleash Creative Thinking: Mindstorming encourages the free flow of ideas without judgment or limitations. It creates an environment where your creativity can flourish.By engaging the subconscious mind, which is more closely connected to your creative faculties, mindstorming enables you to think outside the box and explore unique perspectives. This approach often leads to breakthrough solutions and innovative approaches to problem-solving.For more insight into how to unlock your creativity, check this out. It helps you Make Unconscious Connections: The subconscious mind has a remarkable ability to make connections and associations that may not be apparent to the conscious mind.Through mindstorming, you can tap into this innate capacity and allow your mind to explore uncharted territories.Ideas that seem unrelated on the surface may reveal surprising connections when you delve deeper into the subconscious realm. These connections can provide valuable insights and fresh perspectives that can lead to effective problem-solving. It helps you Access Intuition and Gut Feelings: Mindstorming involves more than just analytical thinking; it embraces intuitive insights and gut feelings.The subconscious mind has access to a wealth of information and wisdom that may not be readily accessible to the conscious mind.By incorporating intuition into your mindstorming process, you can tap into this inner guidance system and gain valuable insights that can guide your problem-solving efforts. If you would like to learn more about this concept, check out my latest books titled “Unlocking your creativity” and “4D Thinking“. It helps you Enhance Collective Thinking: Mindstorming is not limited to individual brainstorming; it can be a collaborative process as well.When multiple minds come together to engage in mindstorming, the collective power of the subconscious mind is amplified.Through collaborative mindstorming sessions, diverse perspectives and ideas merge, leading to even more innovative solutions and problem-solving approaches. The Subconscious Mind’s Role in Problem-Solving: The conscious mind, driven by logic and reason, often relies on available facts and data to solve problems. However, its limitations can restrict us to conventional solutions. By engaging the subconscious mind in the process, mindstorming takes problem-solving to a whole new level. The subconscious mind has the power to explore possibilities beyond the realm of conscious thinking, making connections and generating ideas that are “beyond the box.” Renowned individuals like Donald Trump, Thomas Edison, and Albert Einstein have embraced the power of their subconscious minds to solve complex problems and make critical decisions with exceptional outcomes. If you would like to know more about brainstorming, you can read about how to brainstorm ideas and creative solutions here. The Deliberate Art of Mindstorming: Mindstorming is not a matter of chance; it is a deliberate art that can be cultivated and nurtured. One effective technique, as suggested by Brian Tracy in his book “Goals,” involves writing down the problem you want to solve at the top of a sheet of paper. For example, if you aim to boost sales for your business, write, “How can I boost sales of my product (service)?” Then, generate a list of ten, twenty, or more potential solutions. This exercise triggers both your conscious and subconscious minds to work together. The more ideas you generate, the closer you get to uncovering unique and groundbreaking solutions. Select the most compelling ideas and repeat the process, breaking them down further until you have actionable steps. Steps to Solve Problems with Mindstorming Step 1: Define the Problem Before diving into mindstorming, it is crucial to clearly define the problem you want to solve. A well-defined problem statement provides focus and direction for the mindstorming process. Ask yourself questions such as: What is the main issue? What are the underlying causes? What are the desired

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