A friend and I were talking about our kids bedtime routines. 

How long they take… (1 hour is the absolute bare minimum)

What songs we sing… (the limit does not exist)

How many books we read… (so many books)

How many glasses of water they request… (more than they get, for sure)

To make matters even more intense, lately her son has been insisting that she MAKE UP his bedtime songs and stories. 

A sleepy 3 year old in tight little jammies could ask us all to do anything and we absolutely would, right?

So she makes up songs about pirates and sting rays and Hairy Dawg. They’re set in the pond, in the pool and in the aquarium. She sings him songs about the day he just had and the day he’ll have tomorrow. 

All 100% make-believe, written on the spot. 

If you’re thinking, “that’s an amazing mom.” Same.

She’s also one of the most powerful visionaries and business women I’ve ever seen. 

And I don’t actually think it’s a coincidence at all. 

Here’s why:

Creativity has been found to be a strong indicator of overall success. 

We’ve been doing ourselves a huge disservice by thinking that creativity is limited to graphic design, wide-rimmed glasses and a spunky wardrobe. 

It can be all of those things for sure. 

AND true creativity is defined as the ability to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems, communicating with others, and entertaining ourselves and others.

Pursuit of creative thinking allows you to perceive the world outside the box, generate new ideas and identify workarounds in difficult situations. 

What’s even better? Creatives are born, yes, and they’re also built.

10 Totally Unhinged Ways to Develop & Strengthen Your Creativity: 

1. Take a new route to your favorite coffee shop

2. Tie your shoes in a reverse order

3. Write 1 sentence a day with your non-dominant hand

4. Practice word associations with yourself

5. Make up songs and stories for your kids

6. 20 minutes of a crossword puzzle with your morning coffee

7. Draw a different variation of the same object every day for 1 week

8. Read a book you wouldn’t normally choose

9. Think of another use for a household item

10. Free write a stream of consciousness

These simple and painfully unserious exercises will help you train your brain to work in an unusual direction. The direction that solves problems and creates solutions. 

Embrace the power of creative thinking, even if (especially if!) you failed art class and rely heavily on Canva templates.

When you challenge your perspective, you unlock the limitless potential of your mind. 

Xo, The Salesgirls