What is creativity?

Oxford dictionary defines creativity as: “The use of imagination or original ideas to create something; inventiveness”. And according to research, if you are able to see things from a different perspective, and to make connections between seemingly unrelated concepts and materialize them, then you can be considered a creative person.

But how do we acquire this ability? Reading books, listening to music, etc. are pretty good ideas. But they are all done within the confinement and comfort of the room. In fact, recent research by Adam Galinsky and his colleagues at Columbia Business School suggest that people with multicultural experiences are more creative and open minded. This might give us additional reason to go out, travel and meet new friends around the world.

Getting to know other cultures will open your mind to a whole host of new ideas. By spending time incorporated in multiculturalism, you will, undoubtedly, start seeing the world through different eyes. Old elements, scenarios and places will take on new forms under a different light.

Once you step into another society, a few things will happen to you. You will get to know other societies – their ideas, customs, language. Every country or group of people has a set of rules according to which they live their lives. These are the customs and ideas those people have. Moreover, it influences how they speak to each other or to a stranger.

You will see the world from a different perspective.
You will get first-hand experience of all that. Once you immerse yourself in various cultures you will see how others talk to you, and what they find to be polite or rude. Furthermore, you will be treated according to their customs. This will show you how they perceive the world, what they believe in, what they like or what are they scared of.

You will think differently when you encounter problems in life.
And thirdly, you will get a new perspective on what you already know – on your own culture. Perhaps you will figure out a new way to deal with stressful situations, or act during a job interview. Additionally, you will get new solutions to some other problems you might have. For example, if you are an artist, a multicultural experience can open your eyes to new ideas that you can use for your work. All in all, the experience will make you more creative.

What can we do to have more multicultural experiences in our life?

There are a number of ways to reach out to people from different cultures and broaden your horizons:

Travel abroad
The best way to dive into other cultures is to travel. Visiting different countries and even different continents is a marvelous experience, just make sure to go beyond the usual tourist attractions and experience the culture from the eyes of a local.

Meet people of other ethnicity locally
Even if you cannot afford to go halfway across the world, you can start by spending more time around people of different ethnicity in your city. All it takes is to go to a few ethnic stores, and start a conversation with someone new.

Find a foreign friend online
If you cannot travel, you can always learn with the help of the Internet. We all spend a lot of time looking at the little screens of our gadgets, but this allows us to connect to people from all over the globe and experience different cultures from the privacy of own home, or as we take the first sip of coffee at the local coffee shop on our lunch break. Simple, right?

Try out different cuisines
You can tell a lot about a culture by experiencing the food they eat on a daily basis. You need to go full ethnic and get the right ingredients, authentic sauces and use traditional cooking methods.

Read foreign literature and history
If you truly want to take in the spirit of another nation, you will want to read about their history and the thoughts of their most eloquent writers and poets. Find some good foreign books and start your journey.

Do Not Be Confined: Open Yourself And Start Learning

The beauty of the world lies in its vastness and diversity. Once we humble ourselves and open our eyes, we will be able to see it. And the truth is, the earlier you start, the better. So don’t hesitate, go out and travel. Then you will see and learn much more than you can ever imagine.

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Habits of successful people….

1. They look for and find opportunities where others see nothing.

2. They find a lesson while others only see a problem.

3. They are solution focused.

4. They consciously and methodically create their own success, while others hope success will find them.

5. They are fearful like everyone else, but they are not controlled or limited by fear.

6. They ask the right questions – the ones which put them in a productive, creative, positive mindset and emotional state.

7. They rarely complain (waste of energy). All complaining does is put the complainer in a negative and unproductive state.

8. They don’t blame (what’s the point?). They take complete responsibility for their actions and outcomes (or lack thereof).

9. While they are not necessarily more talented than the majority, they always find a way to maximise their potential. They get more out of themselves. They use what they have more effectively.

10. They are busy, productive and proactive. While most are laying on the couch, planning, over-thinking, sitting on their hands and generally going around in circles, they are out there getting the job done.

11. They align themselves with like-minded people. They understand the importance of being part of a team. They create win-win relationships.

12. They are ambitious; they want amazing – and why shouldn’t they? They consciously choose to live their best life rather than spending it on auto-pilot.

13. They have clarity and certainty about what they want (and don’t want) for their life. They actually visualise and plan their best reality while others are merely spectators of life.

14. They innovate rather than imitate.

15. They don’t procrastinate and they don’t spend their life waiting for the ‘right time’.

16. They are life-long learners. They constantly work at educating themselves, either formally (academically), informally (watching, listening, asking, reading, student of life) or experientially (doing, trying)… or all three.

17. They are glass half full people – while still being practical and down-to-earth. They have an ability to find the good.

18. They consistently do what they need to do, irrespective of how they are feeling on a given day. They don’t spend their life stopping and starting.

19. They take calculated risks – financial, emotional, professional, psychological.

20. They deal with problems and challenges quickly and effectively, they don’t put their head in the sand. They face their challenges and use them to improve themselves.

21. They don’t believe in, or wait for fate, destiny, chance or luck to determine or shape their future. They believe in, and are committed to actively and consciously creating their own best life.

22. While many people are reactive, they are proactive. They take action before they have to.

23. They are more effective than most at managing their emotions. They feel like we all do but they are not slaves to their emotions.

24. They are good communicators and they consciously work at it.

25. They have a plan for their life and they work methodically at turning that plan into a reality. Their life is not a clumsy series of unplanned events and outcomes.

26. Their desire to be exceptional means that they typically do things that most won’t. They become exceptional by choice. We’re all faced with live-shaping decisions almost daily. Successful people make the decisions that most won’t and don’t.

27. While many people are pleasure junkies and avoid pain and discomfort at all costs, successful people understand the value and benefits of working through the tough stuff that most would avoid.

28. They have identified their core values (what is important to them) and they do their best to live a life which is reflective of those values.

29. They have balance. While they may be financially successful, they know that the terms money and success are not interchangeable. They understand that people who are successful on a financial level only, are not successful at all. Unfortunately we live in a society which teaches that money equals success. Like many other things, money is a tool. It’s certainly not a bad thing but ultimately, it’s just another resource. Unfortunately, too many people worship it.

30. They understand the importance of discipline and self-control. They are strong. They are happy to take the road less travelled.

31. They are secure. They do not derive their sense of worth of self from what they own, who they know, where they live or what they look like.

32. They are generous and kind. They take pleasure in helping others achieve.

33. They are humble and they are happy to admit mistakes and to apologise. They are confident in their ability, but not arrogant. They are happy to learn from others. They are happy to make others look good rather than seek their own personal glory.

34. They are adaptable and embrace change, while the majority are creatures of comfort and habit. They are comfortable with, and embrace, the new and the unfamiliar.

35. They keep themselves in shape physically, not to be mistaken with training for the Olympics or being obsessed with their body. They understand the importance of being physically well. They are not all about looks, they are more concerned with function and health. Their body is not who they are, it’s where they live.

36. They have a big engine. They work hard and are not lazy.

37. They are resilient. When most would throw in the towel, they’re just warming up.

38. They are open to, and more likely to act upon, feedback.

39. They don’t hang out with toxic people.

40. They don’t invest time or emotional energy into things which they have no control of.

41. They are happy to swim against the tide, to do what most won’t. They are not people pleasers and they don’t need constant approval.

42. They are more comfortable with their own company than most.

43. They set higher standards for themselves (a choice we can all make), which in turn produces greater commitment, more momentum, a better work ethic and of course, better results.

44. They don’t rationalise failure. While many are talking about their age, their sore back, their lack of time, their poor genetics, their ‘bad luck’, their nasty boss and their lack of opportunities (all good reasons to fail), they are finding a way to succeed despite all their challenges.

45. They have an off switch. They know how to relax, enjoy what they have in their life and to have fun.

46. Their career is not their identity, it’s their job. It’s not who they are, it’s what they do.

47. They are more interested in effective than they are in easy. While the majority look for the quickest, easiest way (the shortcut), they look for the course of action which will produce the best results over the long term.

48. They finish what they start. While so many spend their life starting things that they never finish, successful people get the job done – even when the excitement and the novelty have worn off. Even when it ain’t fun.

49. They are multi-dimensional, amazing, wonderful complex creatures (as we all are). They realise that not only are they physical and psychological beings, but emotional and spiritual creatures as well. They consciously work at being healthy and productive on all levels.

50. They practice what they preach. They don’t talk about the theory, they live the reality.

So there you have it, your days of reading self-help books are done!

Okay, maybe not. I may have missed a few. Feel free to add a habit or two of your own to the list.

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Stress can appear in our lives at any time with varying levels of intensity. It could arise from a conversation you have or get triggered from an event that takes places. Stress can even emerge after a slow build up, with one event pushing you over the edge. No matter how it’s caused, the fact is consistent stress in our body is not only detrimental to our health; it’s also preventable and unnecessary.

Physiologically, stress exists as our body’s response to life threatening situations. When we feel endangered, our nervous system responds by releasing stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. This is our body’s way of protecting us through the “fight or flight” stress response. In emergency situations stress can help us stay alert, energetic, and give us superhuman strength to get out of danger.

Once the threatening event is over, our body is designed to return back to its natural calm and relaxed state. Staying in this mode over extended periods of time can cause health problems such as nervous system disorders and fatigue. This in turn can create ongoing anxiety as we are constantly on alert waiting for a crisis to happen at any time. For a lot of us, entering classrooms or university grounds switches our body into a life-threatening state.

Next time your chest gets tight or you feel overwhelmed, try these techniques for instant relief.

1. Focus on your breath.
Your thoughts are directly related to your breath. If you have a tight chest, worried thoughts, or feel anxious, chances are, you are breathing too fast or shallow. Slow down your breath to balance your mind by inhaling for a count of 5 seconds, hold your breath for 5 seconds, and exhale for 5 seconds.

2. Cool down.
Cooling down your mind and body re-balances your energy and allows you to take action from a more centered place. Open your mouth slightly, curl your tongue and allow it to slightly protrude past your lips. Breathe in through your mouth and out through your nose. If you can’t curl your tongue, inhale through a round O mouth instead. Try this technique for 2–3 minutes.

3. Pause.
If you react too soon during stressful situations, you may say or do things you later regret. Unless you are in an emergency situation, your response can often wait at least a few seconds. Transform the pattern of immediately responding to taking the time to pause, breathe, get calm, and gather yourself. Then respond verbally or by taking action.

4. Get out in nature.
Getting out in nature has an instant calming effect. Whether you choose to sit on a beach to hear the waves crash, walk through a lush green forest, listen to the sounds of a nearby waterfall or hike up mountains, just get yourself outside and allow nature to put everything back into perspective.

5. Mindfully exercise.
Exercise releases natural adrenaline and endorphins that make you feel good. Add more mindfulness to your workout by focusing intently on the activity you are doing. Observe your technique and how it makes you feel. Get connected to your body. This workout window allows you to get fit and even take a break from your stress. Head outside and run or cycle, hit the gym, or attend a yoga class.

6. Take a cold shower.
Hydrotherapy is a precise and sophisticated science with a multitude of benefits for your body and mind. As well as reducing stress, cold showers open up your capillaries which when returned to normal push the blood back to your organs. This causes a flush effect in the heart, kidneys lungs and liver. This process stimulates the healthy secretion of the glandular system, which leaves your skin radiant and keeps your blood chemistry young healthy. Remember to start with outer extremities—feet, hands, and arms.

7. Put on relaxing music.
Everything is made up of energy including both our bodies and music. Music has the power to instantly transform your energy whether that’s by lifting you up or pulling you down. Choose music that is uplifting in tone, lyrics, and beat so your body’s energy can match this higher energy frequency. Positive music also helps create more positive thoughts.

8. Give gratitude.
Whatever you are stressed about is just a thought pattern or belief. You’re ultimately in control of your thoughts (even if it often doesn’t feel that way). Two people could be in exactly the same situation and only one could feel stressed because they have a negative thought pattern. So take a break from worry or panic and make a list of what you are grateful for in your life—whether that’s having a roof over your head, living in a nice city, having a vehicle that gives you freedom etc. List around 10 things.

9. Visualize success.
Prevent your mind from imagining the “worst case scenario” or “what if” by visualizing and focusing your whole attention on what you want to bring into your life, not the fears of what you don’t want. Remember where your attention goes energy flows, which means you can’t afford to spend anytime engaged in picturing what you don’t want.

10. Drink a green smoothie.
Get a natural mental boost from the phytochemicals of green vegetables. Smoothies are a great way to gain all the nutrients from vegetables and fruit as all the content remains in the drink. Green smoothies can also help strengthen your immune system, eliminate unhealthy cravings (which can cause more stress), and give your brain more energy. Try kale, spinach, ginger, and lemon with a touch of banana and blueberries.

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Are you ready to improve yourself and your life in 2016? Making changes in your life doesn’t have to be totally overwhelming. There are many little things you can do to change your life in big ways. Here are 30 little things you can do to change your life this year. Choose a few and try them. You might be surprised by how much of a difference a few little changes can make in your life.

1. Write down one thing you are thankful for every day. Starting a gratitude journal is one of the best gifts you can give yourself.

2. Carry yourself confidently. Stand with good posture and walk tall.

3. Declutter your home. Get rid of the items you don’t use and donate clothes you don’t wear.

4. Follow your curiosity to help you find your passion.

5. Start each day by doing the most difficult thing in your schedule for the day.

6. End each day by writing out a tentative schedule for the next day. Having a plan for your day will help you hit the ground running when you wake up.

7. Declutter your schedule.

8. Write down your goals. Be specific about what you want to achieve this year, and put it on paper. Research shows that writing down your goals increases your likelihood of achieving them.

9. Wear clothes you feel confident in.

10. Connect with someone who inspires and encourages you.

11. Move your body. Exercise helps us feel our best.

12. Try new healthy foods. You never know when you may discover a new favorite dish.

13. Give yourself a compliment. You are unique and amazing. Treat yourself that way.

14. Learn to say NO.

15. Spend time in nature. It’s refreshing and gives you opportunities to feel awe.

16. Figure out what your priorities are. Spend more time on your priorities and less time on the unimportant junk.

17. Spend at least 10 minutes each day doing something you totally love, just for fun.

18. Read something uplifting every day.

19. Travel somewhere new. This world is huge and awesome, and there are so many amazing places to see in your lifetime.

20. Try a new physical activity. It will help prevent boredom with your exercise routine.

21. Spend 10 minutes every day being quiet.

22. Spend one day completely unplugged from social media.

23. Eat nutritious foods for breakfast to help you feel great each morning. If you’re rushed most mornings, plan your breakfasts ahead of time.

24. Establish a relaxing bedtime routine.

25. Envision your ideal work day, write it down, and commit to finding a career that fits into it.

26. Meet new people. Carry on a conversation with someone very different from you.

27. Take one step out of your comfort zone every day.

28. Do a random act of kindness every week.

29. Read the 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman with your significant other.

30. Treat yourself to a great vacation.

At the beginning of each year, millions of people set their New Year’s resolutions. However, research shows the large majority of people break their resolutions. Instead of setting vague, huge resolutions, you might want to try setting very specific goals and making a plan of how to achieve your goals. Or, choose some of the small actions above and start working on them.

You may want to change a lot in your life, but revamping your entire life all at once might not be the wisest idea. Oftentimes working on improving small things and changing little habits can make a huge difference in your life. Choose a small action to do every day and focus on that action until it is completed. Focusing on small daily goals can help prevent you from being overwhelmed.

Good luck!

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