An ancient Greek philosopher, Heraclitus, felt that consulting our own experience and intuition is a wonderful way to gain insight. Unfortunately, some of us have never learned this lesson.
Much of our educational system is an elaborate game of 'guess what the teacher is thinking,' and we come to believe the best ideas are in someone else's head rather than our own. Heraclitus reminds us there are good ideas within ourselves if we are willing to dig deep enough.
Many times our unconscious assumptions and beliefs can prevent us from accessing these ideas. They include such assumptions as 'there is one right way or answer,' always be practical,' follow the rules,' and 'you are not good enough to figure it out.' These deep seeded assumptions and beliefs interfere when we are trying to be creative.
One technique you can use to override these creative limitations is to engage in some positive self talk. When an assumption keeps you from finding a creative solution, just talk to it. Articulate the limiting assumption and belief to yourself and tell yourself that this time you are going to explore other possibilities. By recognising the assumption and belief that holds you back, you become free to consciously choose how you want to behave.
Much of our educational system is an elaborate game of 'guess what the teacher is thinking,' and we come to believe the best ideas are in someone else's head rather than our own. Heraclitus reminds us there are good ideas within ourselves if we are willing to dig deep enough.
Many times our unconscious assumptions and beliefs can prevent us from accessing these ideas. They include such assumptions as 'there is one right way or answer,' always be practical,' follow the rules,' and 'you are not good enough to figure it out.' These deep seeded assumptions and beliefs interfere when we are trying to be creative.
One technique you can use to override these creative limitations is to engage in some positive self talk. When an assumption keeps you from finding a creative solution, just talk to it. Articulate the limiting assumption and belief to yourself and tell yourself that this time you are going to explore other possibilities. By recognising the assumption and belief that holds you back, you become free to consciously choose how you want to behave.
With thanks to Coach2 Coach newsletter, June 19 2009
