Start with Your Creative Potential to Get the Ball Rolling

You've heard this advice a million times.

To thyself be true.

To thine own self be true is a line from Act 1 Scene 3 of Shakespeare's play Hamlet. (1)

It's one of my favorite quotes, and it's been a guiding principle of mine.

This quote is a well-known proverbial expression that means,

Be true to yourself.

Another phrase I keep close to my heart: as within, so without.

It means that our internal state of being influences what we experience in life.

I love taking personality tests. I love analyzing who I am and how I show up. I've taken several tests during my professional career, such as the Myers-Briggs and Enneagram tests.

Exploring one’s personality and habits can be challenging, and that's where I come in. In my eGuide called Being Creative, I've included several tests (backed by scientific research) that can assist you in discovering your true self. These tests are helpful as they can save you time and effort from trying out every idea that comes your way.

Another well-known quote is that "similar things attract each other," which means that people often attract others who are similar to them. By being clear about who you are, you can attract people, places, and ideas that match your identity. I understand that this process may not be easy, but I'm here to support you in your journey towards self-discovery.

Today, I am sharing something that might help lift your spirits - I recently took a test called My Creative Type by Adobe Create, which was enjoyable and insightful. It's a 15-question creative type test that assesses your habits and tendencies, allowing you to understand yourself as a creator better.

I discovered that I'm the dreamer, and my creative strengths are my connection to emotions and imagination, empathy, and sensitivity. I love expressing my inner world through literary pursuits, music, and the visual arts. It was a comforting feeling to discover and confirm my creative type.

I understand these tests aren't definitive, so I recommend taking several of them, which you can find in my eGuide. I hope this helps you find some inspiration and joy.

I understand that sometimes it can be hard to tap into your creativity and make new connections. It's okay to feel stuck or unsure of where to start. But remember that creativity is a precious skill that can transform even the most mundane experiences into something colorful and joyful.

As an image consultant, I've seen many clients who thought buying more clothes would solve their problems, but it only provided a temporary fix. I know how difficult it can be to break through these blocks and myths that hold us back from embracing our creativity.

So, let's start with the basics. Creativity is about making connections, discovering new ideas, and using your imagination to produce something original and artistic. It's not about buying one more new dress but about making the most of what you already have.

Fabric and custom-designed dress - Lagos, Nigeria. Shot on location in Dallas, TX - 2018

It's okay to take your time and permit yourself to be creative. It's about enjoying the process rather than the outcome or final product. You can be innovative anywhere, whether at home or work, by changing habits, updating behaviors, resolving issues, or making life happier in any way you can.

Remember that your body and mind are not separate, and when you balance your creative intelligence, you can create a flow that makes you an undeniable force nobody can touch. And if you need help, a creative strategist and consultant can guide you and put a structured plan together for you.

So, take a deep breath as we explore your creativity together.

I want to remind you of something important today. You are a unique and valuable individual, and your existence results from the most incredible act of creativity: your mother and father coming together to create you.

Unleash your creative potential with AI - 2024

I know that sometimes you may feel you aren't creative enough or don't have what it takes to develop something new. But creativity is not just reserved for a select few. It's a skill that can be cultivated and nurtured through practice, experimentation, exposure, and influences.

When you approach a task with curiosity, playfulness, and attention to detail while considering the big picture, it allows you to connect things, go beyond them, and forge new beliefs about yourself and your potential. And that's what creativity is all about. It’s about bringing a new perspective and creating something truly remarkable.

So, my friend, I encourage you to unlock your creative potential and believe in yourself. Remember that the new perspective makes a difference even if you already know one ingredient in the creative process. You can tap into your imagination and create something unique with practice and patience.

I believe in you.

With warm regards,

Amiola

(1) What does the saying to thine own self be true mean? – Replicadb4.com. https://www.replicadb4.com/what-does-the-saying-to-thine-own-self-be-true-mean/

Modeling Successful Individuals Can Help You Create a Life You Love

Imagine waking up to a life of pure pleasure and ease, where the stress of paying the bills is no longer a concern. Picture yourself dancing by candlelight as the sun rises above the horizon, feeling confident and empowered. Envision sipping on a warm matcha latte while listening to your favorite music and journaling, knowing you're on the path to greatness.

I am living proof that it's possible to transform your life from mediocrity to fulfillment and purpose. I used to work a soulless corporate job that paid the bills but didn't ignite my passion. However, attending a 6-week dance class called The Freedom Series was a game-changer that completely transformed my life. It sparked my love for movement and creativity, and now I'm obsessed with exploring feminine embodiment and self-pleasure.

Through sensual dance, I have learned to connect with my body, release blocks, and manifest my deepest desires. I've been getting help from different coaches, teachers, and mentors to deepen my knowledge and take my passion to the next level. I've discovered my unique style of movement that gets me results, and I'm excited to share it with others.

I’ve learned that when you embrace your unique style of expression and use all your strengths and talents, you create something original and authentic. When you connect with your creative energy and combine it with all that you have learned, you emit a powerful energetic frequency that the universe responds to.

Your creative flow is as unique as your thumbprint, and as you master some basic techniques, you activate your creativity. Once you do this, you will attract others towards you, as activation leads to gravitation.

Your style of expression is the key to manifesting your new reality. When you choose to be yourself, you stand out from the crowd, and others begin to follow your lead. It's time to break free from the mold and discover who you are.

So, don't just copy others; activate the divinity within yourself and seek to discover what you want to express and share with the world. Start now, and experience the peace and beauty activated by expressing your true self.

As 2024 takes shape, I'm confident in my ability to help women heal themselves through dance and movement. If you're ready to explore sensuous, embodied expression and tap into your deepest desires, join me on this journey of self-discovery and liberation. Together, we can achieve greatness beyond our wildest dreams.

Become the Ultimate Creatrix of Your Life: How to Stop Getting In Your Own Way

You have a bright idea hidden somewhere in the back of your mind that you just can't wait to test out.

The question is, do you want to bring it out into the light?

What could motivate you to churn your creative, inspiring juices to their utmost flavor?

Did you know that it always helps to set a time limit to your personal goals?

Set yourself up so you can accomplish the most tasks in record time. For example, what I like to do is come up with a creative inspiring idea after I shower but before I start my work day. This time limit creates a little pressure and gets me thinking positively.

A positive attitude in whatever you do will make things easier, and even more enjoyable.

It's simple.

If you begin to allow yourself a bit of positive thinking, then you’ll begin to realize things that you never thought possible. Thinking big is indeed the American Way and that is what made our country prosperous. You can follow other great Americans who tapped into their creative mind and begin to think big.

Discover some tips to make it through your first week of positive thinking even if you're just sitting on your favorite couch. Your mind is constantly at work for you. Tap into this great resource while doing everyday activities.

1. Act. You must take passionate action towards living your life by design. Talk is cheap. Action = deposits in the bank of a passionately authentic future. My mother (probably quoting someone else) always said, "Action speaks louder than words". Without action, passion is void.

Dreams become reality when you simply start by tinkering with your mind, and then with your hands. And if the idea weakens or falters you can always go back to it later until you finish it. Thomas Edison and his Dream Team had to go back to the idea of a light bulb and recalculate it over 1,000 times before the first working light bulb began to light the world.

2. Love. Commit to yourself. Then commit to those you love to powerfully create a life you can love. Instead of reacting, commit to creating from your heart and soul, out of love rather than fear. The American Dream will always be there, but a dream will still be a dream without motion. Be amazed as the transformation begins.

3. Live. Embrace moments and opportunities. Recognize and embrace the thought that each moment is perfect regardless of its outcome. Every time you hit on something that may appear too extreme why not give it a shot anyway.

See if it will work.

You may be surprised by the results. If you are not, then decide to use that moment to learn from it and make the appropriate shift. Learning and growing from mistakes and failures is a part of living.

4. Be grateful. Dwell completely in a place of gratitude. Learn to utilize what you have in your hands and make use of it most constructively. Necessity is the mother of invention.

Have you ever been stuck without something you needed and had to make do with something else? (MacGyver, from the famous TV show, was famous for that!) How grateful were you that you had the means to solve your situation? Slipping into neediness will become less of a habit when you repeatedly shift towards gratitude and away from poverty consciousness.

5. Be Passionate.

Use a Passion Formula of Recognize/Reevaluate/Restore in place of the Shoulda/Woulda/Coulda whirlwind. The former is based on increased knowledge and abundance while the latter focuses on scarcity and lack. As you face people or tasks that may seem harder than scaling the summit of the Himalayas, allow yourself to realize that the task is just as important as giving out orders to your subordinates.

You would rather be richly passionate!

6. Laugh. Keep humor at the forefront of thought, laughing at and with yourself whenever possible. You may find yourself quite entertaining when you loosen up! I have yet to see a comedian ever go hungry even though his jokes are as 'old as great-grandma'. Life has too much to offer to allow yourself to mope around in self-pity. Humor is extremely attractive, very passionate, and life-giving.

7. Discover Your Purpose. Believe that you are the architect of your destiny. Realizing how you wish to be remembered when you pass from this life is a truly driving force. Your purpose for being can be as simple as being a great parent to as elaborate as discovering miraculous cures.

When you have a strong purpose, no one can take your passionate future from you except for you!

Truly, as long as there's still breath in your body, there is no end to how much you can accomplish in a lifetime. Discovering and following your purpose will enable you to enjoy your work. Celebrate the discovery that acting on your creative mind's thoughts is fulfilling your purpose.

Watch everything flow into place with perfect, passionate precision.

Activate your positive thinking. Stretch your imagination. Think bigger than you feel comfortable. Act on your thoughts. The number one tip here is action. You want to start practicing these steps.

Think about this: It’s unfortunate that so many people still do not use a computer because it appears too complicated to begin using. Or maybe they just keep putting it off till a more convenient time. These are just a couple of limitations one can set up for themselves. Limitations and failure to act on ideas and opportunities leave many as a dim bulb in a dark corner.

Alert! You are not doomed to darkness. You are interested in living a life of purpose and love. The wonderful, creative idea in you is about to be released.

You are interested in doing this because you are reading this article. Fortunately, if you truly desire something, the will to attain it will open your creative mind to find a way.

Now you need only to begin to act on your desire to create. Act now! Make your path to creativity and follow your purpose. Take your first step today with a positive attitude.

If you feel stuck, the best way to take action is through self-care. The simple act of giving yourself a much-needed pampering can set you in motion to take action in other areas of your life.

Four Real Barriers to Creative Flow and What You Can Do About It

Hey, Amiola here!

Today’s a special day because it’s a great day to release your creativity!

Too many women completely neglect their creativity and yet, we all have a creative streak. For some of us, it comes out in art. For others, in the kitchen or doing crafts. For me, I like to express my creativity in my clothes, fashion, and dance.

Why wear black heels with a pink dress when yellow is so much more fun?

Whatever creativity means to you, now is the time to get back in touch with that part of you.

I'm kicking off a 4-part series on creativity where you'll learn how to be more creative and how to enhance your creativity. But, before I get into how to be more creative, let me point out some of the real barriers that get in the way of creativity.

Let’s see if these things apply to you and your life.

1. Lack of time. This is not as major as you may think. Linking thoughts and ideas only takes seconds. It can happen anytime, anywhere provided you’re in the right state of mind. It would also help you to pay attention to your own experiences and find creative nuggets around you. Creativity is more about the quality of the time you have and being receptive to yourself. If you don’t feel you have time, give yourself the permission of time.

2. Fear of being judged. When I had brainstorming sessions with my colleagues, many were often scared to express their ideas. Creativity results in unusual ideas and even being different in some way. You might think of creative ideas as strange, odd, or challenging. Fear of being called weird, stupid, or different often kills creativity. If I feared people thinking any of those things about me, I would not bother getting out of bed. I love the fact that people think I am all those things!!

3. Lack of self-esteem. When you do something creative, you go beyond the bounds of what’s safe and familiar. When you are not sure about yourself, being different in any way can feel risky, or make you feel vulnerable. The danger is that you give up your new insight to blend in. Smash those shackles and set yourself free! Don't shrink or play small because you're worried about what others will think of you.

4. Fear of failure. This inhibits us. If you’re making a new connection in your brain, there can be no inherent "right" or "wrong" about it. Failure can only have two meanings; first, that it didn't work in the way you wanted it to. Second, someone else did not like it. But so what??!! I get many comments on how I generate so many successful projects and am often asked how I do it. I always point out that these projects are only about 10% of what I have imagined. The other 90% didn't work or didn't get out of my brain.

Creativity isn't reserved for the genius only. Einstein was brilliant but he’s not the best model of creativity for us. You don’t need specialist expertise to be creative.

The fruits of your creativity may manifest in many, many different ways, ways you’re not going to be able to predict but will be worth the time and effort.

If at any time you doubt your ability to be creative, remind yourself that every night you create a new dream. You script, act out and watch, which involves all your senses and has effects that can last long after they are over. This creation is so very effortless most people don't even recognize it as such.

Look out for part two tomorrow about how to be more creative.