In this episode - Open the Box. . .
When you receive a gift that’s beautifully boxed what’s your first impulse. My guess is you would enthusiastically open the box.
I’m referring to the power of your creative imagination.
Earl Nightingale summarized it best, “We become what we think about, but the thinking is up to us.”
Let’s examine our daily thoughts, what do you think about? Are your thoughts dependent on your reaction to situations and others? If so that special gift we’re talking about is not being used at all. And if we’re not careful our imagination can lead us into confusing complications. So let’s strive for simplicity.
It's been said the brain has four powers, think of them as switches you can turn on and off.
Switch number:
- The power to absorb information and knowledge.
- The power of retention.
- The power of making judgments.
- The power to think creatively.
Children use this fourth switch all the time. They do it by simply asking questions. No admonition or holding back. Just wholesome to the point questions.
Granted people are swayed every day by the media, friends, and neighbors to think negative, self-destructive thoughts. But you can change that.
First, you must recognize that creative ideas can come from anyone at any time.
- Keep an idea file. Ideas in the early stages need to be nurtured, record your ideas.
- Ideas need encouragement. Treat your ideas with care. Encourage creative thinking in yourself and others.
- Creative thinking is like mining for Diamonds in the richest soil you’ll get mostly small ones but if you stay with it you’ll find that big one your looking for too.
So what are you waiting for - turn on switch number four.
How you ask?
Spend 30 minutes a day digging in that gold mine between your ears. At first, those thoughts may be off the wall, absurd thoughts. That’s okay. Capture them.
I’m betting there’s a smartphone in your pocket. A powerful tool to record audio, video, or written text of your brilliant ideas. Ok, I get it, maybe your thoughts are not so brilliant but if you work at it every day for just 30 minutes you will be amazed at what you come up with.
Start with a goal that you want desperately to achieve. By mining those thoughts you will achieve that goal.
It was Ralph Waldo Emerson that said, “The mind, once stretched by a new idea never returns to its original dimensions.”
So live a little, open the box. Unleash the power of your creative imagination. Why not?
This is Patrick Ball, thanks for listening. See you in the next episode.
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