| 14 Tips To Ensure Your Creative Venture Is | | | | does ugly things to the creative brain. That's not |
| Successful | | | | just me talking but many studies. |
| While modern medicine claims listening to Johann | | | | There can be a lure to take drugs or drink when |
| Sebastian Bach can cure everything from | | | | if things get tough. Ironically this is when you need |
| headaches to general anxiety disorder, I believe it | | | | that kind of stimulation the least. To you, you |
| is only so if you enjoy J.S. Bach. I tend to enjoy | | | | may seem to be the most creative person in the |
| Mozart, The Beatles, and numerous others better. | | | | world when under the influence...to others you just |
| There are certain songs for which I can listen by | | | | seem under the influence. |
| various artists that put me in a trance-like state. | | | | Become a voracious reader. Read especially |
| It is when I arrive here that I know I can easily | | | | biographies and autobiographies of persons who |
| think outside the box. | | | | have achieved what it is you are trying to |
| While music is a great instigator of creativity, | | | | accomplished. You might be surprised how much |
| nothing beats nature. I am fortunate in that I live | | | | these creators and inventors reveal about |
| on the edge of America's oldest National Forest, | | | | themselves and the tricks of the trade. |
| but that was not always the case. Many times, I | | | | Argue. That's right argue. Debate. All of these are |
| simply left my house with my dog and we went | | | | "brain exercises". They do not mean you are |
| to the local park to play. Where there is nature | | | | attacking someone or questioning their character. |
| such as greenery, trees, in other words, lack of | | | | By debating other points of view are available to |
| buildings, noise and trees, is a great place to start. | | | | you and it is the perfect brain exercise. The brain |
| Never leave the house without a pen and paper. | | | | is like a muscle. If you are not constantly working, |
| You may think you will remember that great idea | | | | then get with another person or persons and |
| you had while listening to music, walking in the | | | | argue or hold a lively conversation. You will come |
| park of forest or park or even before you went | | | | home that much smarter. |
| to sleep; but always, and I mean always, keep | | | | Like Walt Disney, if you are embarking up on a |
| that pen beside you. Though you may find that | | | | creative endeavor, don't count on the local bank |
| the majority of your ideas, as are mine, are | | | | to open its vault to you (though it may). Chances |
| useless, its the 10 or so brilliant percent that will | | | | are you will have to have patience, persistence, |
| take you where you want to be. You will never | | | | andfriends support on your side. You are in it for |
| regret your friends, ink and paper. | | | | the long haul. You will most likely come across |
| Brainstorm, but brainstorm with someone you | | | | many obstacles. Obstacles are your friends |
| trust. At times, you may have to give them a | | | | because you will learn from them. Similar |
| piece of the action, depending on how much they | | | | incidences may evolve in the future but you will |
| have contributed and that is only fair. But | | | | instinctively know how to handle them. |
| sometimes you just need a sounding board to | | | | Don't force it. The more you pursue something |
| see if you are on the right track, and most close | | | | the more it runs the other way. That includes |
| friends or family will do that for you at no cost. | | | | fame, money, friends, lovers, wives, |
| If you are writing a song, poem or series of | | | | husbands...you name it. Just sit back and begin |
| them, and hit a writers block, find a rhyming | | | | enjoying the process doing little bits on your |
| dictionary, a dictionary, thesaurus (or they are all | | | | project at a time. If you have a job, don't quit it |
| online for free). There's always an answer even if | | | | yet. Just spend a few hours a day on your |
| you don't have it on the tip of your tongue. | | | | creative venture. |
| If you run into a problem or obstacle write it | | | | If you have no job, work on your creative |
| down or type it into your computer. Just put it | | | | venture. Learn to barter. You would be surprised |
| someplace where you can see it. Call a trusted | | | | how much you can barter for goods and services |
| friend or family member and let them know you | | | | with other companies who would like to see you |
| have it typed on your screen and "What would | | | | succeed or like what you are doing. For the first |
| they do" if they were in your situation; or, you | | | | five years of my cartoon venture, when I had |
| may surprise yourself and figure it out on your | | | | nothing, I bartered everything from health foods |
| own. | | | | to fishing tackle to doggie clothes. Eight years |
| Take a walk or a hike or a jog. When you return, | | | | later my cartoon is Google and MSN #1 ranked |
| you'll either have an answer or you will have | | | | offbeat cartoon on the Internet, and you know |
| forgotten what the issue or problem was in the | | | | what...I still keep my pen and paper with me in |
| first place. | | | | my nature hikes in the woods. |
| Turn off the television, even if you love it. TV | | | | |