Think Like a Kid

09/02/2010

Longing, felt fully, carries us to belonging.
Tara Brach, Psychologist

It's not every day that I get to cite an item from my home town of Fargo, but today is one of those days:

Researchers Darya Zabelina and Michael Robinson of North Dakota State University (in Fargo), in an article in Psychology Today (August 2010) advocate applying a "childlike mind-set to our daily lives" in order to boost our creativity. Zabelina explained... "It's about giving yourself permission to explore and free time to play. It would not just increase your creativity — it would also motivate you to create."

Robinson suggested these ways to boost creativity:

View yourself in a more light-hearted fashion, perhaps by thinking of your odd (but not ego-threatening) quirks.
Adults develop habits that narrow the range of what they think is possible. Do something spontaneous, preferably every day.
Grownups treat errands as problems to be solved in a logical manner. Appreciate tasks as opportunities for exploration, not boring duties.
Being present and living in the moment gives you the opportunity to appreciate fun when it occurs.
Free time is free time. Don't fill every moment with chores.

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