A creative mindset can be critical in solving problems, connecting with others, and gaining clarity.

To cultivate creativity:

• Connect ideas
• Really look
• Explore
• Ask questions
• Take time to think
• Imagine and inspire ideas
• Value play
• Experiment
• Seek other curious people

To encourage engagement:

• Self mastery with autonomy
• Take on important work
• Add meaning with impact
• Recognition of good work
• Target skills to develop
• Invite participation in growth opportunities
• Nurture interest and involvement
• Gain results with relevant work goals

To develop design thinking:

• New perspectives
• Observe – look broader, closer
• Think younger – beginners mind
• Improve things
• Create new things
• Explore possibilities
• Reveal efficiency and beauty
• See surprising connections

TED Talks and books:

TED talk links are found at the Create Pathway Pinterest board. Books purchased through the affiliate links below provide a small commission that helps to support the Daily Planit. Find more TED talks by speakers who are also authors at TED Talk Book Discussion.

• Originals by Adam Grant, TED talk The Surprising secrets of orignial thinkers
• Tiny Experiments by Anne Laure LeCunf How tiny experiments can set you free
• Innovator by Tom Pullen, TED talk When did innovation get so complicated?
• Build by Tony Fadell, TED talk The first secret of design is noticing
• Innovation Unleashed by Bill Stainton, TED talk How to be a more creative person
• Creative Confidence by David Kelley, TED talk How to build your creative confidence
• Change by Design by Tim Brown, TED talk Tales of creativity and play
• Play by Stuart Brown, TED talk Play is more than just fun
• SmartStorming by Keith Harmeyer, TED talk What if? From inspiration to innovation
• Messy by Tim Harford, TED talk A powerful way to unleash your natural creativity
• Never Play It Safe by Chase Jarvis, TED talk Setting your ideas free
• The Element by Sir Ken Robinson, TED talk Do schools kill creativity?
• TED talk by Mark Soderwall The Fear of starting
• TED talk by Raphael DiLuzio 7 Steps of creative thinking
• TED talk by Damon McLeese How to reclaim your creativity at any age
• The Creative Mindset by Jeff and Staney Degraff
• The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

Creative websites:

• 99u Youtube channel
• Design Thinking at IDEO
• Tips from 99designs
• Idea Sandbox
• Creativity Portal

Get ideas at Get Creative, try creative arts, and learn more about overcoming procrastination and getting motivated.

Personality types can help you gain insight into yourself and others, and match with a compatible career choice. The DISC personality types are: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, Conscientiousness.

Try the assessment at  www.truity.com/test/disc-personality-test to discover your DISC type. The Career Project also has an assessment and a career guide by type. Success.com is another resource for matching careers by DISC Type. Explore more at the DISC Pinterest board. Myers-Briggs is another popular personality type assessment.

Learning your DISC type can help you identify strengths and values as you DISCOVER U. You can then plan purpose based on values to prioritize using your strengths.

Courage is acting despite fear. Mark Twain said, “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear.”

When we think about courage, we often think of the physical bravery of firefighters, emergency response teams, and warriors as they go into battle. But there are more types of courage too: the moral courage of those who stand up for what they believe, the mental courage of those who tackle hard learning challenges, and the emotional courage of those who keep trying in the face of adversity.

“Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’” -Mary Anne Radmacher

When we detect potential danger or perceived threat, fear is automatically triggered. A cascade of physical reactions results: the release of stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol, increased heart rate and blood pressure, rapid breathing, and muscle tension. The primitive part of the brain takes over, hijacking the thinking part so that we can attack or run quickly. This survival mechanism that evolved to keep us alive at times when we might encounter a sabertooth tiger, is helpful when we are in real danger. However, it can prevent us from tackling hard challenges and learning. Trevor Ragan describes where fear comes from in his TED talk, How to “overcome” fear. He goes into more detail about how to get out of your comfort zone in another TED talk, Learning like a jungle tiger.

Prepare for moments of fear that trigger some common responses to perceived threat:
• Fight – confront. Pick battles wisely.
• Flight – avoid. Face challenges realistically.
• Freeze – shut down. Learn to use SOS to insert a pause before responding.
• Fawn – appease. Develop self-confidence in abilities.

FACE FEAR

• Failure = learning
• Acknowledge it
• Calming breaths
• Exposure to experience
• Delegate to backseat

While failure is always a risk when trying something new, great things are never accomplished without embracing discomfort. Many famous people have experienced failures before they succeeded. Thomas Edison said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” When failure is encountered, the best strategy is to analyze what happened, adjust, and perservere. John Danner TED talk The Other “F” Word, Tim Gibson TED talk Failure is knowledge, knowledge is success.

Recognize when fear is present, without allowing it to be in the driver’s seat. In Big Magic: creative living beyond fear, author Elizabeth Gilbert writes a letter to fear telling it that it can come along for the ride, but it is not allowed to drive. The physiological responses to fear are similar to excitement, so it can help to shift emotions to excitement by viewing problems as challenges and uncertain experiences as possibilities for adventure and opportunities.

CULTIVATE COURAGE

• Be open to challenges
• Rally strengths
• Adjust mindset
• View uncertainty as opportunity
• Expect discomfort
• Rely on resilience

Accept the reality that life is full of challenges and uncertainty. We cannot always avoid discomfort, and sometimes it is inevitable as we proceed on the path towards our goals. It often means getting out of our comfort zone. We can prepare by adopting helpful mindsets like a growth mindset and experimental mindset. It helps to know your strengths and build resilience.

TED Talks: “Proof” by Adam Kucharski, TED talk Why does uncertainty bother us so much?, Embracing uncertainty by David Murray, The art of discomfort by Leigh Bardugo.

BE BOLDER

• Be curious
• Overcome doubt
• Live at the edge
• Defeat resistance
• Embrace change
• Resist constant comfort

The Flywheel Effect from Jim Collins begins with curiosity. Anne-Laure Le Cunff on the Triple Check method for overcoming resistance at Big Think. “How Change Really Works” by Kristy Ellmer, TED talk The key to navigating change with confidence. “The Other Side of Change” by Maya Shankar, TED talk Why change is so scary, and how to unlock its potential. “Switch” by Chip and Dan Heath, “Leading Change” by John Kotter (not analyze, think, change – but see, feel, change)

With courage, we can re-claim agency to make choices based on awareness. Learn more about overcoming fear and combating procrastination.

Books and TED Talks

Amazon affiliate links to books provide a small commission to help support the Daily PlanIt.

• “How to Be Bold” by Ranjay Gulati, presentation How to be bold, Now is the Time for Courage at HBR, TED talk How great leaders energize their organizations
• “C.O.U.R.A.G.E.” by Christopher O.H. Williams, TED talk Seven choices for a courageous life
• “Leading With Emotional Courage” by Peter Bregman, TED talk “I Don’t Know“
• TED talk Courage: Learning into fear by Matt Cuccaro
• “Forged in Crisis” by Nancy Koehn, How great leaders develop their grit at Big Think
• “Do Hard Things” by Steve Magnuss (one of five books to build bulletproof courage)
• “We Can Do Hard Things” by Glennon Doyle and Abby Wambach
• “The Flipside” by Michelle Mace Curran, Fast Company article

RESOURCES

• Brene Brown documentary The Call to Courage
• Turn fears into Tiny Experiments [see also An Experimental Mindset]
• Courage at Authentic Happiness
• Courage quotes at wellbeing.gmu.edu and at Psychology Today
• 7 Habits of Emotionally Courageous People from Nick Wignall
• Videos from VIA United in Strengths on Bravery and Courage

Explore more TED talks by speakers who are also authors at TED Talk Book Discussion.

Micro-habits are small actions with big impact. The following ideas are possibilites for adding growth and meaning with tiny experiments.

Download the Personal Development Micro-habits pdf

MIND – Learning and growth
• Start the morning with a short ritual.
• Take hourly breaks to refocus.
• Act on 3 top priorities in prime time.
• Reflect daily: Write down one personal achievement each day.
• Try a digital detox: Set a daily limit for social media apps. Go tech-free for an hour before bedtime.
• Share a skill or talent with someone else.
• Kickstart your mind with engaging content that makes you think. (NPR, BBC, etc)
• Identify one thing you want to learn.
• Listen to a podcast, watch educational content, or read for 10 minutes a day.
• Learn a skill with a quick, short course.

BODY – Increase health and physical strength
• Relaxation & rest. Prioritize sleep with a consistent bedtime and wake-up time.
• Include exercise. Take a movement break every 30 minutes during the day. Add a 10 minute walk into your daily routine.
• Stay hydrated – drink water (8 8 oz. cups daily) Keep a water bottle with you and take a drink every 30 minute interval during the day.
• Eat a healthy diet mindfully. Add 1 fruit or vegetable to every meal. Fill half of your plate with vegetables. Plan and cook at least three meals a week at home. Chew slowly and savor every bite without distractions like a tv or phone.

HEART – Cultivate fulfilling relationships
• Send one thoughtful message to someone each day.
• Try a weekly check-in with a family member or friend.
• Add an act of kindness every week.
• Notice what you are grateful for today. Express appreciation to one person weekly.
• Dedicate one day each week for an outing with someone special.

SOUL – Exploration and enjoyment (Bonus points if you share it with someone else.)
• Spend time outside and in nature for at least 10 minutes a day. Bonus points if you are active.
• Try one new hobby each month
• Explore: go one new place each month
• Meditate at least 10 minutes a day.

These ideas for impactful actions can improve life, the choice to act is up to you!