So just what is creativity?

Here's my definition:

"Creativity is simply looking at something that has always been there and seeing something that has never been seen before"

That's really all there is to it.

But I'm not creative.......

I hear people tell me all the time that they cannot do something because they are not creative. I respond by asking them if they ever worry. Then they answer that of course they worry.

My point is that if you worry then you are creative. Because what is worrying? All worrying is, is going into the future to some fearful or unwanted event, feeling the emotions as if it has really happened, and then dragging those emotions back into the present time.

Now if that is not creative, I don't know what is.

Using your creativity in the best way

The task then becomes to stop using your creativity in a way that harms you and begin to use your creativity in a way that supports you.

Creativity questions

Get in mind your area of expertise.

Here are two of the questions I frequently use to spark my creativity:

1. In how many ways can I make what I am currently doing even better?

2. In how many ways can I look at something I do all the time and do it in ways that have never been done before?

Remember the definition of creativity with which we started this article:

"Creativity is simply looking at something that has always been there and seeing something that has never been seen before."

Jeff Herring

Jeff is a marriage and family therapist, singles and relationship coach, mentor coach, speaker, syndicated relationship columnist and author.

Jeff has a full time private practice in Tallahassee in which he specializes in couples, teen and parent counseling. He also is a relationship coach specializing in working with couples and singles. Some of his professional activities include:

==> Internationally syndicated relationship columnist through Knight-Ridder/Tribune Media Services, with a weekly readership of over 10 million worldwide

==> Sought after speaker for organizations, associations, churches, and corporations

==>Twice weekly appearances on The Steve and Sara Show on Magic 107.1

==> Author of "Keep the Changes: 52 Tools for Successful Living" a collection of his best columns, as well as several e-books including "How to Create a Passionate and Loving Relationship.........Forever," "How to Beat the BOZOs: Dealing with difficult people without becoming one," and "Tame Your Teen: THE survival guide for parenting your teenager.

==> Founder and CEO of TheArticleGuy.com

==> Founder and CEO of SecretsofGreatRelationships.com

==> Founder and CEO of ParentingYourTeeanger.com

==> Founder and CEO of ToolsforSuccessfulLiving.com

==> President of BuildingYourIdealPractice.com

==> President of ConsciousDatingTallahassee.com