I was in belly dance class the other day and I was working through a new and seemingly very difficult, okay, it was an extremely difficult new move, and I started thinking about how the complexity of doing something new was forcing me to think more creatively.
I started to reflect on Edward de Bono's book, Thinking Course, and how he shares all kinds of exercises and techniques for expanding our creativity muscle. One technique he's designed is to use an alternative method of thinking. He calls this APC -
- Alternatives
- Possibilities
- Choices
Well, as I was working through the new move at first my mind kept reverting back to the way I felt the move should go, which was incorrect and making it harder for me to learn it. So, I used the APC strategy and told myself to focus on the alternatives, possibbilities and choices available. Almost immediately I began to see and experiece the new movement pattern with more freedom and synergy! It was a huge rush of creative energy and shortly thereafter I was doing the new move with ease and I threw in a little flair too!
The next time you're feeling creatively challenged or stuck I encourage you to focus your mind on the AP method. Think alternatives, possibilities and choices and let the creativity fly!
Share your comments below.
Recent Comments