Do You Need to Include More Creativity in Your Planning?

After 3 ½ weeks in Southern California and hosting two (2) back-to-back 3-day leadership events, I’ve been reflecting on the lessons which has delayed the delivery of the weekly Upside Thought.

Less than 2 weeks have gone by since my 11^th annual Design Your Destiny Live event (my best yet!) – and in that timeframe, a lot has happened.

At Design Your Destiny Live, I speak about how the 7 Pillars of Leadership + Mindset + Strategy + Action create or equate to “Stratospheric Success”.

Yet, how does that happen?

It all begins with creativity.

One of the best ways to ensure that the plan you design in the 1^st Pillar will produce the results you want is to not hold yourself back from what you believe is possible …and allow your creativity to flow.

One of the best ways to ensure that your mind is open to new ideas, opportunities and perspectives is not hold yourself back from what you believe is possible …and allow your creativity to flow..

And, one of the best ways to ensure that your creating a strategy that is innovative and fresh is not hold yourself back from what you believe is possible …and allow your creativity to flow.

Creativity.

It is the use of your imagination to generate something new, different and wonderful.

Being creative enables you to use your imagination to conjure up new ideas and see the world a bit differently.

It makes problem solving easy-peasy and allows you to use your whole brain when you work.

Let’s try it out.

For the next 3-minutes, use your imagination.

((Your brain will be thanking me for this later as it will be like a reflexology massage to its core.))

Take out a pen or pencil, and a piece of paper, preferably in a journal or something you refer to regularly.

Now, outline your ideal day from morning to night.

Write down everything you want to happen in your day.

Choose activities that you enjoy doing and schedule them as if money was not a factor.

Here are a few examples —

• Projects you’re excited to work on –
• Spending time with people you love —
• Donating your time and talents to a cause you’re passionate about — 
• Hiking, biking, or just being outside —
• Lounging on your deck and basking in the sun –
• Reading a book –
• Journaling –
• Meditating –
• Heading out to a yoga or Pilates class —
• Playing a round of golf –
• Enjoying a massage at the spa —

Done?

Great!

So, what does it look like?

• Maybe you’re calling the shots in your ideal day and have a team of awesome people who work with you.
• Maybe you’re having lunch with your best friend at that cool café you’ve had on your to-do list to try out for ages.
• Maybe you’re finishing up the final touches on your new manuscript that you know will be on the New York Times bestseller list.
• Maybe you spend time at the food pantry packing bags to be delivered to families in need.
• Maybe you scheduled in time to spend with yourself just thinking about how fabulous your life is. 

Whatever your ideal day looks like, you probably get excited just looking at the schedule.

Just doing that exercise stretched your mind to consider the possibilities.

It stepped out of the linear and you colored outside the lines!

So, now for the million dollar question…….

If you know what you really want to be doing every day, why aren’t you doing it?

Wait a minute, Lisa Marie.

Is this a trick question?!?

Breathe.

When you read my question, reasons were popping up in your mind like popcorn kernels put in the microwave.

You may have thought…

• “My partner would never let me….”
• “That’s crazy. I don’t have time to do that…”
• “My full-time job takes every ounce of energy I have and I’m completely empty at the end of the day…..”
• “I can’t change direction now. I have healthcare and a pension to think about….”

And, the list goes on and on…..

Let me tell you a little secret.

None of those reasons are real. 

They are simply stories we tell ourselves to keep us safe.

If you can come up with a possibility, you can come up with a way to make it happen.

This is how I got to facilitate the 2^nd 3-day event in San Diego last week.

Teresa de Grosbois, founder of the Evolutionary Business Council, had an idea to create an organization where leaders gather to do their own work, and make a massive difference on the planet while increasing global consciousness.

She dreamt the impossible – and had the audacity to turn her possibility into reality.

And, I could give you countless others who have done the same….like…

Dr. Shawne Duperon, founder of Project Forgive, had an idea to create a non-profit to alleviate suffering on the planet through forgiveness.

She dreamt the impossible – and had the audacity to turn her possibility into reality.

Negative mind chatter is one of the major elements that keeps you from designing your destiny.

You are always just one degree away from stepping into something new that would make all the difference.

Albert Einstein said, “Creativity is intelligence having fun!”

So, go out and have some fun today!

Action

The Upside Challenge of the week is to look at the areas in your life and work where you need to infuse a bit more creativity. You’ll thank me for it later. 😊

Do something creative every day.

The world needs you and your brilliance.