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Ten Ways to Develop Your Creativity

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Do you consider yourself to be creative? Often we associate creativity with writers, artists, musicians, and dancers – things associated with the arts. And we may see some people as more naturally creative than others.

But in truth we are all creative beings.  We’ve had to use our creativity in very practical ways in the past few years during these uncertain, challenging times. You can further develop your creativity in all aspects of your life. Whether it’s looking for an out-of-the-box solution at work or coming up with something fun and interesting to do with your family or friends this weekend, you can be more creative. I wrote earlier about Cranking up Your Problem Solving Creativity .

There are some basic things you can do to develop your creativity and use it to enhance your life.

  1. DECIDE to be creative. Start with making a decision. As with anything, you’re never going to improve in an area until you decide that you’re going to. You must commit to being creative. Then set up a plan to carry out that commitment.
  2. Increase your understanding. It’s hard to see a creative solution to a problem you don’t understand. So when you are facing something you are not familiar with, take the time to educate yourself in that area. Learn it inside and out, and then examine it again, from the point of view that comes from understanding.
  3. Be curious. Curiosity enriches our lives in multiple ways and certainly can help us develop our creativity. My grandson’s curiosity about the ocean and ocean creatures has led him to dig into the topic and become a walking encyclopedia on related subjects. It may well lead him to a career in that field.

Sometimes we pursue something that has sparked our curiosity immediately. But if we don’t have the time to pursue it at the moment, it may be forgotten. So I encourage you to capture those topics you want to learn more about in a CURIOSITY JOURNAL. When something interests you, take note of it. Write down your questions. Use these as jumping off points when you’re looking to be creative and when you are feeling stuck or bored.

As I write memoir essays, my curiosity about the background and context of some of my memories has led me to learn more about it and to develop an approach to writing such essays. Here’s my Kindle book that has resulted from that: Memoir Essays: Memories + Context + History = Deeper Appreciation of Your Life Journey

4. Become a risk-taker. Don’t stick with the tried and true solutions. Ask yourself how you can do things differently? Then jump in and try things that way to see how they go.

5. Drop the negativity. It’s so easy to fall into an attitude that things are too hard or you aren’t smart enough to figure out something. By thinking you can’t find a solution, or that it’s impossible to be creative, you have already failed. Don’t create self-fulfilling prophecies. Instead, decide you will succeed, that the solution is already there. (Another decision!!)

6. Try something new. By experimenting with new art, involving yourself in a new sport, or going somewhere you’ve never been before, you engage your brain along different neural pathways and see the world in ways you haven’t before. Now is the time to try that thing you’ve always wanted to do!

7.  Brainstorm. Throw out ideas, one after another. Get wild and crazy and see what sticks. The best creative ideas come out of the silly ones. Doing this with someone else in a playful attitude can spark even more possibilities and develop your creativity.

8.  Know there’s more than one right way to get something done. If something isn’t working, that doesn’t mean there’s no solution – only a solution you haven’t found yet. Keep trying. Look for the other ways things might work. Sometimes it’s a work-around rather than a direct solution.

9. Look for inspiration. Spend time exploring other people’s creativity to stimulate your own. Visit art galleries. Listen to music. Read books. Explore the world around you and see what touches off a creative spark in you. Being intentional as we read, watch and listen to the works of others will help open our minds to other ideas.

10. Let things snowball. Jump from one idea into another and another and another. See where the creative path takes you. Maybe you won’t find the solution to the problem you’re working on, but you might find the solution to something else, so jot down the best ideas that crop up.

To learn more: Tony Laidig’s book is a treasure! 21 Ways to Skyrocket Your Creativity 21 Ways to Skyrocket Your Creativity

Here’s another tool you may find helpful. It’s a printable item to capture your ideas and gives a process for moving the best ones to reality.  Idea Journal and Planner   Idea Journal and Planner

Creativity doesn’t have to be out of reach, even if you tend to think of yourself as an un-creative person. By working to develop your creativity, you’ll enjoy more success in your work and home life and will learn new ways to think and do things. With so much benefit, isn’t it time to find that new and exciting more creative version of you?

I’m Carol Brusegar, author, photographer and curator of information. My focus is on gathering and writing on topics that enhance all our lives – regardless of our age. Topics include health and wellness, personal development, innovation and creativity, and a variety of helpful, practical tools and practices. I have a special interest in helping people over 50 years of age to create their 3rd Age – the next stage of their lives – to be the best it can be. Visit my Amazon Author Page to find my published books: https://amazon.com/author/carolbrusegar

Follow me on Twitter!     Follow me on Instagram!   Follow me on Pinterest!

        Follow me on Facebook!         Visit my Etsy Shop!

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5 Ways to Exercise our Brains to Combat Cognitive Decline

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Brain HealthCognitive decline, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are discussed a lot these days. As the numbers of baby boomers – now aged 59 to 76 (in 2023) – grow, those conditions are big issues. It is true that as we age, our cognitive reserves start to fade and we find ourselves searching for lost words or taking longer to perform mental tasks. If we intentionally exercise our brains, especially after the age of 50, it can make a difference.

I like to think of those occasional memory lapses as a by-product of a brain full of data and memories of years of life. Rather like a full hard drive on my computer. It makes sense to me that it’s difficult to quickly access everything stored there. Often it just takes a while for it to be found and sometimes a bit of information is simply inaccessible. It’s a normal part of life.

It is true that we use our brains less intensely as our lives slow down with empty nests and moving into some form of retirement or semi-retirement. Health experts often bring out the phrase, “Use it or lose it,” when speaking about our body’s muscles. If you don’t use your muscles regularly, they will atrophy and you will lose strength, especially as you age. To combat atrophy and muscle loss, you need to engage in strength training exercises. Did you know the same is true for our brains? Intentionally doing things that give our brains a workout helps us remain sharp. Here are five ways to exercise our brains:

  1. Learn new things. Experts believe that when the brain is passive and unengaged, it will atrophy. The brain wants to learn new things and the best way to keep your brain healthy – just like with your other muscles – is to make it work. Choose something new to learn that is enjoyable to you and attack it with gusto. Check out your local Adult Continuing Education department to find classes for foreign languages, cooking, art, business, or fitness. Take online workshops or classes on a regular basis.
  2. Solve math problems in your head. Forgo the use of pencil, paper, or calculator and use that brain to solve simple math problems. Increase the difficulty as needed or try walking while solving those math problems. Don’t fret if you make mistakes or it seems to take a while before reaching the answer. The key is to not give up.
  3. Engage your senses. All five of our senses utilize different parts of the brain, so choose activities that depend upon using your senses. Cooking classes are excellent choices because they use sight, smell, and taste.  I also compiled a short report that focuses on using all our senses to reduce stress in our lives. “5 Practices for Taming the Stress Monster” is FREE and you can access it here with immediate download and no opt-in. Tame the Stress Monster
  4. Practice your hand-eye coordination. Putting a puzzle together, knitting, crochet, painting, or      drawing are just some examples of hobbies involving hand-eye coordination. Even the simple act of handwriting a letter can assist in strengthening your coordination and your brain function. It’s an enjoyable way to exercise our brains. Buffalo Games has a huge variety of puzzles that appeal to adults. Some are nostalgic, others playful or scenic. Check them out here: Puzzles
  5. Read. It’s a simple concept we learned back in elementary school yet as life gets in the way, taking time to read a novel or a magazine goes by the wayside. Reading engages your sense of sight but it also engages your imagination as you picture what’s happening in the story. Reading also increases your focus and attention as well as your knowledge and vocabulary. Keep a Reading Journal to record what you’ve read, what you want to read, quotes you want to keep and more. Here’s one I designed: Reading Journal: For Book Lovers Who Take Their Reading Seriously.   Not a fan of novels? No worries…choose a favorite magazine, crossword puzzles, or logic problems. You’ll reap the same benefits no matter what the format is.

One quick note: Memory game software is not found to have quite the same effects as these suggestions above. Real-world activities, such as finishing a Sudoku puzzle or driving home on a different route, are more effective at maintaining cognitive function and won’t cost much money to complete.

No matter what your current age, now is the time to care for your brain and maintain your cognitive function. As we exercise our brains and gain these benefits, we also find some joy by integrating fun activities into life.

I’m Carol Brusegar, author, photographer and curator of information. My focus is on gathering and writing on topics that enhance all our lives – regardless of our age. Topics include health and wellness, personal development, innovation and creativity, and a variety of helpful, practical tools and practices. I have a special interest in helping people over 50 years of age to create their 3rd Age – the next stage of their lives – to be the best it can be. Visit my Amazon Author Page to find my published books: https://amazon.com/author/carolbrusegar

Follow me on Twitter!     Follow me on Instagram!   Follow me on Pinterest!

        Follow me on Facebook!         Visit my Etsy Shop!

 

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MEMOIR ESSAYS – AN APPROACH THAT DEEPENS YOUR APPRECIATION OF YOUR LIFE JOURNEY

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Memoir Essays

Get your copy here: Memoir Essays

Perhaps you have considered writing a memoir or some other format to capture your life. Maybe you’ve started such writing. Or maybe you think it’s self-centered or egotistic to do this. Perhaps you think no one will be interested in reading it so it’s not worth the effort.

I see writing about your life as a gift to yourself and to others, whether they read it now or sometime in the future. The way I prefer to do this is with MEMOIR ESSAYS. These essays capture snapshots of your life including context and history. The formula is Memories + Context + History = Greater Appreciation for Your Life Journey. You can create MEMOIR ESSAYS, one at a time, starting anywhere in your life.  Start with a memory, do some research to learn more about the context and if possible consult with others. When you expand your memories in this way you will:

1) gain greater perspective and appreciation for your life journey, and
2) make your essays more interesting to those who read them.

As Russell Banks said, writing in this way is “much more than memoir; it’s history.

 My Kindle book on the topic is available on Amazon.com. It focuses on 6 strategies for identifying topics for your memoir essays:

  • Finding topics to explore from old photos
  • Digging deeper when a current experience triggers memories
  • Choosing a time period to focus on and capture highlights
  • Exploring music in your early life
  • Identifying pivot points in your life
  • Excavating the impact of major community, national or global events

A complete Memoir Essay accompanies each strategy to illustrate that approach. Each illustrates how to dig deeper, research the history, and round out your memories. Included is a free worksheet to keep track of your ideas.

Get your copy here: Memoir Essays

I’m Carol Brusegar, author, photographer and curator of information. My focus is on gathering and writing on topics that enhance all our lives – regardless of our age. Topics include health and wellness, personal development, innovation and creativity, and a variety of helpful, practical tools and practices. I have a special interest in helping people over 50 years of age to create their 3rd Age – the next stage of their lives – to be the best it can be. Visit my Amazon Author Page to find my published books: https://amazon.com/author/carolbrusegar

Follow me on Twitter!     Follow me on Instagram!   Follow me on Pinterest!

        Follow me on Facebook!         Visit my Etsy Shop!

 

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3 Steps to Alleviate Information Overload

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Alleviate Information OverloadAre you an information junkie? Do you want to learn about new things and dig deeper into topics you are already familiar with? Do you want to stay current on many of the issues and concerns of the day? It can be simply all-consuming or overwhelming at times. Consider some ways to alleviate information overload.

Information overload has been continually growing since the Internet became part of our daily lives. Mobile devices give us access to limitless sources virtually any time we choose. There are both great benefits and significant negatives to this access. The more information we see, the more we want to consume it, which leads to becoming more overloaded with information.

Be more intentional about your pursuit and use of information. Rather than falling down the proverbial rabbit hole regularly, make some choices. Here are three suggestions for taking advantage of the treasure trove of available information and not allowing information overload to be another stressor.

1.    Categorize Your Information Seeking

Surfing the internet has become a recreational activity. With a phone at hand, many spaces of open time are filled this way. It can be entertaining or educational. It can give you a needed break from situations or tasks. And that’s all good.

In addition to random or stream of consciousness surfing, you can choose some categories to explore. What information will be helpful?

  • Think of your home life. Do you want to make your living space more comfortable? Do you want to get out of the rut of preparing the same 5 meals over and over? Do you need solutions to storage shortage? The list can go on.
  • Think of your work life. Are you ready to look for another position? Do you want to be more organized as you work at home? Are there difficult work relationships that you would like to handle better?
  • Think of your recreational and volunteer activities. What opportunities are there to expand or change what you are doing now?
  • Think of specific projects you are working on or would like to start. Perhaps it’s writing some family stories or memoirs and you need to find some context or history of the times. (My Kindle book, Memoir Essays, Memories + Context + History = Deeper Appreciation of Your Life Journey, has strategies to do this.)

You get the idea. Jot down the categories of things you want to explore and prioritize them. Then when you have surfing time, pursue one of them. Be more intentional with larger blocks of time. Focus on a priority topic and go beyond the scanning D stage. Document what you find that is useful. This process is an important step to alleviate information overload.

2.    Use Mind Maps to Organize

Mind maps are a visual way to organize both what you want to do and the results of your searches. Start with a mind map of the categories you selected above. Your center point can be “Exploration Topics” with a time period – a week or month perhaps. Then the branches are the categories. Add subbranches for the main things you are looking for or problems you want to solve.

To capture and further organize, do a mind map for each of the categories, adding ideas or questions you have as you explore.

Refresh or do new mind maps as you progress. When you have gathered the information you want, capture it in a final map for future reference. This practice can become a regular part of your life, helping you organize and manage all that information. Use it frequently – weekly, even daily. Some people use a mind map as a visual guide to daily priorities and tasks.

If you are new to mind mapping or would like a refresher, I have written about the basics here: Mindmapping as a Multifaceted Tool

3.    Decide What is Enough and What is Too Much Information

Consuming information is a lot like medication, there is a minimum effective dose that can be absorbed before the positive effects become null, and the negative side effects take over.

With information, this means that there is a precise amount of information that you need to achieve your goals. What is enough, what is too much? Continuing to gather information beyond a certain point can easily stop you from taking any action at all.

You procrastinate because you think there is something to be discovered before you move forward. You can have a mind full of data, ideas, possibilities, swirling around – and you are essentially paralyzed. Decide what is enough information and go with it. Take action.

These 3 approaches can go a long way to alleviate information overload in your life. This intentionality of focus can relieve stress and increase your productivity and accomplishment in both your work and personal lives.

If you’d like to try additional strategies, check this out: The Mind at Ease: 10 Mini-Habits for anyone who is stressed in the Age of Information Overload

I’m Carol Brusegar, author, photographer and curator of information. My focus is on gathering and writing on topics that enhance all our lives – regardless of our age. Topics include health and wellness, personal development, innovation and creativity, and a variety of helpful, practical tools and practices. I have a special interest in helping people over 50 years of age to create their 3rd Age – the next stage of their lives – to be the best it can be. Visit my Amazon Author Page to find my published books: https://amazon.com/author/carolbrusegar

Follow me on Twitter!     Follow me on Instagram!   Follow me on Pinterest!

        Follow me on Facebook!         Visit my Etsy Shop!

 

 

 

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Introducing “5 Practices for Taming the Stress Monster”

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Stress MonsterDo YOU feel stressed more often or more deeply in the past few years? I certainly have. The pandemic and all the ripples from it on physical and mental health, relationships, the economy and more have affected all of us. Taming the stress monster within our own lives is possible. Please read on.

In the pursuit of return to ‘normal’, I and I suspect many others, have pushed down a lot of feelings and ignored red flags. The result has been elevated stress. Some is a result of personal situations and challenges; some comes from external realities.

Some stress is good. It keeps us engaged and moving. But excessive amounts have negative ripple effects on many parts of our lives. If it gets to toxic levels, stress can affect both our mental and physical health.

And the stress shows up in many ways.  Have you experienced some of these common symptoms?       (Source: American Psychological Society)

  • Irritability and anger
  • fatigue or low energy
  • lack of motivation or interest in things
  • anxiety/nervousness/worry
  • headaches
  • feeling sad or depressed
  • Indigestion/acid reflux/upset stomach/muscle tension
  • appetite changes

We can do things to tame the stress monster in our own lives! In my new short report, “5 Practices for Taming the Stress Monster,” I offer 5 practices that engage our senses and can interrupt and reduce stress. More importantly they can help prevent stress if incorporated into our lives:

  • Understanding and Utilizing the Power of Deep Breathing
  • Utilizing the Power of Sound to Calm and Heal
  • Using Our Vision to Reduce Stress
  • Using Our Sense of Smell – Aromatherapy
  • Adding Hands-On Creative Activities to Our Routine

I have compiled information from earlier posts and included additional information and resources into this report. It is FREE to download now! Feel free to share with others.

The information in the special report goes into detail about the 5 practices to explore as you strive to tame the stress monster in your life. All of these are self-care. If you think – even once in a while – that self-care is selfish or something that can be lower in priority than all the must-dos in your life, let me remind you that it is not.

Managing Your Stress is Self-Care

Self-care involves taking better care of yourself, which is essential for mental and physical wellbeing. In addition to relieving stress as the report details, it has a positive impact on your relationships and your ability to handle your daily responsibilities.

As you incorporate some or all these practices into your life, you will be improving your mental health and raising your self esteem. You will be raising your confidence and that boosts your mood and your attitudes.

As is pointed out in the report, these practices can be easily built into your daily and weekly routines. The key is to start with one or two things and incorporate them into your life. Add others as you choose. Consider the power of a personal wellness routine, as I wrote about here: http://carolbrusegar.com/effective-wellness-routine/

Please get your FREE copy of the report by clicking here: 5 Practices for Taming the Stress Monster. No opt-in is required.

I’m Carol Brusegar, author, photographer and curator of information. My focus is on gathering and writing on topics that enhance all our lives – regardless of our age. Topics include health and wellness, personal development, innovation and creativity, and a variety of helpful, practical tools and practices. I have a special interest in helping people over 50 years of age to create their 3rd Age – the next stage of their lives – to be the best it can be. Visit my Amazon Author Page to find my published books: https://amazon.com/author/carolbrusegar

Follow me on Twitter!     Follow me on Instagram!   Follow me on Pinterest!

        Follow me on Facebook!         Visit my Etsy Shop!

 

 

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Post-Holiday Hygge – Simple Ways To Cozy Up Your Home As You Wait For Spring

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Hygge, pronounced (Hue-gah), is a word used widely by Danish and Norwegian people to describe a feeling of well-being, protection and coziness. Denmark’s cold season is long and brutal. The idea of hygge was formed as a survival strategy to psychologically help people to get through the long winters. It’s become a way of life for them. The months between the December holidays until spring are an ideal time to implement some post-holiday hygge to cozy up your home as you anticipate the next season.

In recent years, the hygge moment has made its way to the US and has become a bit of an Instagram sensation. I wrote about hygge as self-care during the pandemic here: Self Care in Tough Times. But even before the movement, all of us have felt hygge before it got popular, on social media. Maybe we just didn’t know there was a name for it. The essence of hygge can be described as the feeling you get when you laugh with good friends, curl up in a blanket to read your favorite book, or the warm and homey feeling that you get from sitting by a fire with a bowl of homemade soup on a cold day. By naming these activities as hygge, we are adding some intentionality and meaning.

During the very darkest days of winter, holiday lighting indoors and outdoors along with special gatherings and lots of activity keep our spirits up. The post-holiday time after the lights are stored away for another year and more normal routines resume can be a glum, depressing time. Using these weeks – or even months in some climates – as a winter hygge season can be cozy and help stave off post-holiday blues. Whether you are coming home after a long day of work or school or working at home, creating post-holiday hygge in your home will lift your spirits.

The Elements of Winter Hygge

 These elements of winter hygge are all related to our senses – sight, smell, touch, taste and hearing.

Lighting. Achieving that sought-after hygge feeling has much to do with warm lighting. Soft, calming lighting will make your home feel soothing and welcoming. Accomplishing this can be as simple as lighting a fire in your fireplace, or a few well-placed candles and hanging some string lights.

Perhaps you have dimmers on some of your electric lights and rarely use them. They allow you to soften the lights per your mood. (You could even have a dimmer or two installed if you don’t already have any.) Changing out your bright bulbs to warmer lighting will also help give your home a cozy feel. There are all sorts of cute, hygge inspired lights and light fixtures on the market that you can install to give a little more of an authentic hygge feel. There are some fascinating hygge lighting options here.

 Scents. Scented candles, essential oil infusers and seasonal potpourri will also make your home feel more inviting and cozy this winter. Rather than the holiday scents – cinnamon, pine, apple, etc. – choose other cozy scents like, lavender, pumpkin, vanilla and sage. Scents, especially from essential oils, stimulate smell receptors in the nose. These receptors then send messages through the nervous system to the limbic system — the part of the brain that controls emotions. This is why essential oils are used to decrease stress and help us sleep. Check out this wide variety of essential oil diffusers to add to your post-holiday hygge home.

Cozy loungewear, slippers, blankets. Hunker down during the cold months in cozy loungewear and slippers. Choose natural fibers like cotton, flannel, silk or knit. You will look forward to coming home after a long day to put on your most comfortable clothes. Have soft, cozy blankets, throws and comforters where you relax – and in your home office.

Home cooking and baking. The scents and tastes of home cooked meals and home baked bread, cookies, cakes, etc. are essential hygge. You may find that prepping your meals ahead of time will help reduce daily pressure. Or use some of the ready-to-cook meal options you can now purchase. Crockpot meals are a winter favorite because they can be put together ahead of time, then set it and forget it. You will come home after a long day to the fragrant smell of dinner already cooking. And the taste surpasses that of takeout or microwave meals.

Baking bread and goodies can be a therapeutic, relaxing activity as well as a great shared activity with others. And of course the aromas while they are baking and the finished products are the best!

Soothing and inspiring music. We’re all over holiday music by this time of year. How about gathering some CDs or create a playlist that are your post-holiday hygge selections? Play them as background while you work at home, prepare meals, relax and read. This can be a tradition from now into the future.

If you want to learn more about this topic, I recommend this book: The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living  May you enjoy implementing elements of post-holiday hygge in your home!!

I’m Carol Brusegar, author, photographer and curator of information. My focus is on gathering and writing on topics that enhance all our lives – regardless of our age. Topics include health and wellness, personal development, innovation and creativity, and a variety of helpful, practical tools and practices. I have a special interest in helping people over 50 years of age to create their 3rd Age – the next stage of their lives – to be the best it can be. Visit my Amazon Author Page to find my published books: https://amazon.com/author/carolbrusegar

Follow me on Twitter!     Follow me on Instagram!   Follow me on Pinterest!

        Follow me on Facebook!         Visit my Etsy Shop!

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Using Mind Mapping For Problem-Solving

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Mind Mapping for Problem-Solving

Image by Freepik

Mind Mapping is a tool that can be used for multiple things: brainstorming. planning, notetaking, simplifying or unpacking ideas, organizing ideas, making attractive presentations, and more. The focus of this article is using Mind Mapping for problem solving.

Some background on Mind Mapping

Before we look at this specific use for it, I want to address a question you may have: Why does Mind Mapping work? In a mind map, information is structured in a way that mirrors exactly how the brain functions – in a radiant rather than linear manner. In fact one of the early books by Tony Buzan who popularized the tool was The Mind Map Book: How to Use Radiant Thinking to Maximize Your Brain’s Untapped Potential. This is a great description:

“It literally ‘maps’ out your thoughts, using associations, connections, and triggers to stimulate further ideas. They make it easier to extract your ideas from your head into something visible and structured.

Research shows that the brain likes to work on the basis of association, and it will connect every idea, memory or piece of information to tens, hundreds and even thousands of other ideas and concepts. This is why mind maps are beneficial for countless tasks.” Why mind mapping works: the benefits of mind mapping – Ayoa Blog

(If you are new to mind mapping or need a refresher, you can look at two of my previous post: Mindmapping as a Multi-faceted Tool or Five Useful Applications of Mind Mapping . )

Why Mind Mapping is Good for Problem Solving

Why is Mind Mapping effective for creative problem solving? Because it lets you bypass your conscious mind and your reactions to having a problem to solve. That reaction is often to get stressed or anxious. Or both. Mind mapping avoids this issue.

Your mind map will be a visual map of an issue – in this case, a problem to be solved and all its constituent parts, that shows the linkages between all of them. It also shows connections between the problem and outside forces.

This visual ‘map’ lets you see a problem and all the things that go into it by simply glancing at it. It makes it easier to take in the information and see connections that might otherwise go unnoticed. Here are the steps to use mind mapping for problem-solving.

First Create A Mind Map for the PROBLEM

 Start by writing down the central problem or idea in as few words as possible. It goes in the center of the map. Put each additional issue down as a keyword or short phrase around the center and link them together with a line. This is known as a branch.

Do this for each component of the problem. You can use different colors or thicknesses of lines to indicate how important a branch is or how strong the connection is between the problem and its component. You can also use images instead of words. Consider outside forces that impact this issue and add them. Connect them to the keywords or phrases where they belong.

 This visual map allows you to use word association, which is an important method of problem-solving that cannot be used when writing out problems in long form. As you expand your map, additional thoughts will come.

Create A Second Mind Map for SOLUTIONS

This one will be slightly different. The central idea will simply be the word ‘Solutions.’ Write it down. Now, add branches for every possible solution you can think of. Add subbranches to these to include resources, people, and other components you would need to have to implement this solution. Again, use colors, thicknesses of lines and images.

You can add more branches to ideas you need to explore further as well. When you are finished, look over all the proposed solutions and select the best one(s) of them to explore further. Create a new mind map with to further explore details for putting your solution(s) into action.

Mind mapping is an incredibly powerful tool for problem-solving! It can help you find the best and most practical solution simply by looking at the visuals you have created. Give it a try and see how it works for you. Use it more than once to see the results for you.

Here are some items you may find helpful as you explore the tool or expand your use of it.

Mind Map Journal with Templates

Mind Map and Brainstorming Log Book with Multiple Templates

 

I’m Carol Brusegar, author, photographer and curator of information. My focus is on gathering and writing on topics that enhance all our lives – regardless of our age. Topics include health and wellness, personal development, innovation and creativity, and a variety of helpful, practical tools and practices. I have a special interest in helping people over 50 years of age to create their 3rd Age – the next stage of their lives – to be the best it can be. Visit my Amazon Author Page to find my published books: https://amazon.com/author/carolbrusegar

Follow me on Twitter!     Follow me on Instagram!   Follow me on Pinterest!

        Follow me on Facebook!         Visit my Etsy Shop!

 

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Using January as a Transition Month as We Enter a New Year

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using January as a transition month

“The seasons they go round and round… We’re captive on the carousel of time…And  go round and round and round in the circle game.” (Carole King, “The Circle Game”)

It can certainly seem this way, can’t it?  One of the things that humans have developed to get off the carousel is the “new year” ritual of creating resolutions, plans and more. It indeed can be a point where we can assess, plan, regroup and get a fresh start. Using January as a transition month is really useful.

Here are a few things that I have found helpful. Choose one or more to start and decide what else you want to do.

1) Do a year-end review (and/or use reflection prompts to journal about the past year – see #2 below)

As one year ends and another begins, we have an opportunity to pause and decide how we want the next twelve months to be different than the past twelve AND what things we want to continue and increase. We don’t always have to make things different; we want to again enjoy good experiences too. Constantly pushing for better, bigger, more flashy can be exhausting and not at all fulfilling. Find your own balance.

Use this 12 Month Review Journal (free to download at the link below) to help you to think beyond the obvious events or high/lowlights to some meanings and what was significant. These will be a good basis for other steps.

12 Month Review Journal

2) Use a series of End-of-Year Reflection prompts to help you recall and appreciate the past year. Spread them out – one or two a day – or do a blitz. Remember, using January as a transition month can be a great way to start the new year. Regrets that you didn’t do this sooner serve no purpose. Just do these things now and they will move you forward. Here’s a list of prompts; they may give you ideas for other topics to write about.

  • What were your top 3 biggest highlights of the year?
  • What is something new you are glad you tried?
  • What are some setbacks you had this year?
  • List your 5 best moments of the year.
  • List your 5 most challenging moments of the year.
  • What is the biggest lesson you learned?
  • What are some mistakes you made this year?
  • How was your personal growth?
  • In what ways are you a better person now?
  • What progress did you make on your goals?
  • How are your goals changing for next year?
  • When did you feel the most fulfilled this year?
  • How did you get out of your comfort zone?
  • What is something you wish you did this year?
  • List the shows and movies you loved.
  • What were your favorite books this year?
  • What are you most proud of yourself for?
  • Did you meet any interesting people?
  • List some new experiences you had this year.
  • How was your mental health this year?
  • What new activities did you try?
  • What are some of the most memorable moments?
  • What changes do you want to make next year?
  • How did you practice self-care?
  • What was the funniest moment?
  • What was the most embarrassing moment?
  • What was the scariest moment?
  • What was your biggest achievement this year?
  • How did you improve your health and wellness?
  • List what you are grateful for this year.

3) Imagine yourself at the end of this new year. What are you feeling, thinking, acknowledging and celebrating. Write a paragraph or two from that viewpoint: “It is December 2024. I am…. I acknowledge… I feel… I celebrate… These can be affirmations you use through the year.

REMINDER: USING JANUARY AS A TRANSITION MONTH does not mean you are “behind”-“late” or “negligent.” You are doing things to insure that this year is what you most desire and intend.

4) Choose a word or phrase for the year. This has become a very popular strategy that many people find useful. I’ve written about in detail in two previous posts:  https://carolbrusegar.com/choose-one-word-for-the-year/ and https://carolbrusegar.com/choose-your-word-for-the-year/

The essence of it is this: The goal is is to come up with one word that will give you MEANING, PURPOSE AND FOCUS for the year just beginning. The first step is to reflect on the past year and then think about this year. Writing, not just thinking, will be most helpful. (You have already done much of this if you did end-of-year reflections or used the 12 Month Review Journal described above.)

If you don’t already have it, grab the book that started it all here: One Word That Will Change Your Life

Go https://www.onewordchallenge.com/ to sign up for the 2024 challenge and start getting emails that will keep you moving forward.

5) Create a Vision Board and/or a Vision Journal. Visuals are powerful! And vision boards are used by many people. Those big poster boards on a wall where you often see them can be effective.

There’s also the option of a vision journal. I wrote about that here http://carolbrusegar.com/try-a-vision-journal-this-year . A vision journal is more of a dynamic tool which you can easily update or add to during the year. It includes more detail that can be an inspiration if you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed. And it’s portable.

Here’s a FREE downloadable Vision Journal for you to use: Free Vision Journal

Using January as a transition month is a powerful way to start this new year. While you are doing some or all the things above you will likely get inspired to move forward on things at the same time. We can simultaneously reflect and prepare and get going. I wish you all the best on this journey!

Check out these tools in my Etsy Shop:

  • End-of-the-Month Review Sheets so you can capture each month’s joys, accomplishments, learning and more.

https://www.etsy.com/DecorateOrganizeGive/listing/1308272425/

  • Week-at-a-Glance Sheets are used at the beginning of the week to designate the priority tasks or events for each day. This gives you an overview to help you focus and avoid overwhelm.

https://www.etsy.com/DecorateOrganizeGive/listing/1216202448/

  • All in a Day Worksheet for daily use.

https://decorateorganizegive.etsy.com/listing/1200612682/

I’m Carol Brusegar, author, photographer and curator of information. My focus is on gathering and writing on topics that enhance all our lives – regardless of our age. Topics include health and wellness, personal development, innovation and creativity, and a variety of helpful, practical tools and practices. I have a special interest in helping people over 50 years of age to create their 3rd Age – the next stage of their lives – to be the best it can be.           

Follow me on Twitter!  Follow me on Instagram!  Follow me on Pinterest! 

Follow me on Facebook!    Visit my Etsy Shop!

 

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Sharing the Holiday Spirit – 11 Ways to Make the Holidays Meaningful

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10 Ways to Spread the Spirit of the HolidaysThe holiday season – regardless of what celebration you participate in – is a time of sharing and caring about others.  There is lots of pressure to show our affection by giving material things to others or doing elaborate and costly events or entertainment. There are certainly plenty of opportunities to spend, spend, spend. Sharing the holiday spirit can be done in many other ways.

Whether you desire to simplify your holiday activities or want to minimize expenses or both, these 10 ways to offer love and caring to others. Share love in its simplest forms – a kind word, a helping hand or a thoughtful gesture. Make hearts happy for the holidays… this is the essence of the holiday spirit.

  1. Sing Christmas carols or other winter/holiday songs for others. Gather a few musically-inclined friends. Print out song lyrics from the internet. Call up a few retirement homes or communities in your area and schedule a holiday visit. Music has such power to cheer up people who are isolated and away from family.
  2. Make the holidays about connection. Sure, it feels good to provide great gifts for family – especially the children. But demonstrating that the holidays are about being together, showing kindness, and sharing special moments is what will create long lasting memories. Doing enjoyable things together and taking photo memories lasts longer than many gifts.
  3. Make any activities connected your holiday celebrations – tree decorating, food preparation, gift-wrapping, etc. – a shared family experience. Sharing the preparations deepens the meaning each part of your celebration. Include everyone and get them fully engaged.
  4. Help someone who is struggling. In many places, winter weather can take its toll on aging joints, and sidewalks become slick with the cold and snow. If you see someone having a hard time getting packages to the car, offer assistance. Send a little love to a stranger in the form of a helping hand.
  5. Offer to babysit. Give a stress-out set of friends some needed down-time or a date night. Host the kids for dinner or maybe even a sleepover. Exhausted parents deserve a peaceful evening out, or even just some time together at home.
  6. Acknowledge someone. Whether it’s Dad working overtime to pay for gifts, PTA moms putting in their all, or Grandma staying up late to make every kind of Christmas cookie, this is a time for giving and a time to say thanks. It feels nice to be noticed. So if you see someone doing good out there, give them a warm hug or a pat of appreciation.
  7. Get together with grandparents and other relatives. With so much going on, it can be hard to squeeze in quality time for aging grandparents. Set a date to have the kids sleep over, or take Grandpa out for a haircut and holiday lunch. Simple gestures go a long way for creating closeness and will mean so much.
  8. Read inspiring Christmas stories and share them with others. Looking for a new one? Check out my Kindle book, The Miracle of the Christmas Ship –  https://carolbrusegar.com/miracle-of-christmas-ship/
  9. Include someone. Can you think of a person who might like to be remembered this year? Don’t assume that other people are booked up for the holidays. Loneliness is particularly painful at this time of year, and social media doesn’t always reveal who may be needing an invite or to hear from a friend at the holidays.
  10. Send thanks to the people who help make your life wonderful. This year, instead of just sending out a generic family photo card, why not go the extra step if you have a free evening? Hand-write notes or letters of thanks to the special people in your life – grandmas, grandpas, teachers, the bus driver who gets your precious cargo to and from school safely each day. These could be the most meaningful gifts of all.
  11.  Give up your parking spot – a simple way to love your fellow humans this holiday season. Take the faraway parking spot. Someone else might need that closer parking spot because they’re trying to corral small children or they have a bad knee. They’ll appreciate the short walk to the store, and you’ll feel good knowing you made a difference for someone today.

These 10 suggestions may help you think of other simple, meaningful things for sharing the holiday spirit –  the spirit of connection and caring.

My Etsy shop has a variety of holiday items, including  a checklist of how to reduce holiday stress: https://www.etsy.com/DecorateOrganizeGive/listing/1310776005

Look for holiday stationary, bookmarks, and more there, too. Be creative and enjoy your holidays!!

I’m Carol Brusegar, author, photographer and curator of information. My focus is on gathering and writing on topics that enhance all our lives – regardless of our age. Topics include health and wellness, personal development, innovation and creativity, and a variety of helpful, practical tools and practices. I have a special interest in helping people over 50 years of age to create their 3rd Age – the next stage of their lives – to be the best it can be.           

Follow me on Twitter!  Follow me on Instagram!  Follow me on Pinterest! 

Follow me on Facebook!    Visit my Etsy Shop!

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Creating Your Personal Vision Statement – A Step-by-Step Process

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Personal Vision Statement

A vision is not just a picture of what could be;

it is an appeal to our better selves, a call to become something more.

~ Rosabeth Moss Kanter

 As stated in the previous post, https://carolbrusegar.com/personal-vision-statement-part-1/ , this is a perfect time to create a new Personal Vision Statement. We are still experiencing the effects and after-effects of the pandemic. After all the interruptions and dislocations of the past few years, creating a fresh one can be an energizing process.

Before we get started on the step-by-step process for doing this, I urge you to go back to that post to review the benefits and examples of statements.

Your Personal Vision Statement will encompass your values, goals, and purpose in life. It may focus on the totality of your life moving forward, or you may want to create a statement that is for a particular segment of your life – like the next 10 years, the time while you have children living at home, your retirement years, etc.

Here we go. Be sure to have a supply of paper and pens to write with and be prepared to spread the process over some days to be most meaningful.

GOALS

  1. Brainstorm every single thing you’d like to do and to be in your life. No censoring. Take some time with it. Carry the list around with you for a few days and add to it whenever something crosses your mind. Keep going until you feel like it is completed.
  2. Do some culling of your list. Think through every item you wrote down. Is this something that you want in your heart of hearts? Or is it something you think you want? Or that you think you should want? Cross out the ones in the last 2 categories.
  3. What’s left is a list of things you really want in your life. Which ones do you most want to accomplish? Some of them are going to exert a stronger pull on you than others. Put a star beside these.
  4. Now look at compatibility of the items on your list. Some may be contradictory or can’t be accomplished together. There may be some painful choices here — which goals do you want most? Which are you willing to sacrifice in order to get to the others? Mark off the ones that don’t make the cut.
  5. When you’re done, copy the surviving goals down onto a clean sheet of paper. This is the beginning of your vision statement.

STRENGTHS, SKILLS, WEAKNESSES

The second step in creating your Personal Vision Statement is to make a list of your strengths and skills and decide how they relate to what you want to do with your life.

  1. Strengths. What are your strengths as a person? Write down everything you can think of. This is another brainstorming session. Don’t judge yourself and don’t hold back because of uncertainty or insecurity.

Are you strong (physically or psychologically)? Stubborn? Independent? Are you a freethinker? Are you good at helping people get along? Are you highly intelligent? Empathic? Incredibly organized? You have a list of strengths just like everyone else. Don’t stop with this list until you feel like you’ve covered them all.

2. Skills. List every skill you can think of that you have, in particular those that are related to the goals you identified in step one. What skills do you currently have that will help you get to those goals? How many of those are good to go and which need work?

  1. Assessment of strengths and skills needed to reach your goals/intentions. Grab another sheet of paper and go back to your final list of priority goals. What are the strengths a person who reaches each of those goals must possess? Take the goals one at a time and identify strengths needed.

Then make another list of the skills needed to accomplish these goals.

  1. Identification of weaknesses/things to work on to accomplish your goals. Compare the two lists you’ve create – the one of strengths and skills you already have versus those needed to accomplish all of these goals you want to achieve.

The differences between the two are your weaknesses. These are things you need to work on if you’re going to make all your goals a reality. Circle all these weaknesses.

 If you like, you can add working on or developing some or all of these weaknesses to your personal vision statement. You don’t have to do so, but still  keep the list handy because you will have to work on these things if you want to reach your goals.

VALUES

Take another sheet of paper and title it “My Values.” What’s the most important thing in the world to you? Your top priority, the thing you work so hard for, the one rule you always follow, the one guideline you use to define everything else in your life.

This may require some thought. Or maybe you know right away what it is. If so, you’re one of the lucky ones.

The answer, when you come up with it, might be simple or it might be complex. It might be the Golden Rule. It could be taking care of your family. Making money is a top value for some people while making a difference is most important to others. Some write a single word, such as “love” or “caring.” To have your vision statement be genuine, make sure your values reflect your innermost self. Dig deep.

Once you have an answer, you’re going to write down your second and third most important values. These might take you a while as well. You might even discover you have two or three on the same level. That’s okay too.

Now write down any other values you hold in high importance. Don’t write down too many; you don’t want to dilute the issue. You’re going to want to include your top value in your vision statement. Depending on your personality, you might want to do your second and third most important and maybe a few others as well.

Putting It All Together – Writing Your Personal Vision Statement

You have the raw materials from what you’ve been writing. It will all come together into a meaningful Personal Vision Statement with your attention and patience.

  1. Collect what you’ve arrived at on a new sheet of paper. Write down all the things that need to be included in your vision statement: write down your most important goals, any strengths or skills you want to include, and your personal values. These together form the basis of your vision statement.
  1. Have fun with this step. Allow yourself time – at least as much as you spent combined on the first three steps. Be as creative as possible. Create drafts of your vision statement by playing around with words. Start a sentence with any of the following phrases and write until you have incorporated everything you want to include. Remember, your vision statement may be anywhere from one sentence to a short paragraph long.

Vision Statement Opening Words

“I am…”

“I want…”

“My purpose/mission/vision is…”

“My life will show…”

“To…”

“I will…”

“I won’t…”

Try several of these and play around with them. Come up with four or five draft vision statements. Use active, first-person verbs in all of them. That means you should write as “I [verb]” as much as you can.

Make multiple drafts of vision statements that all start with the same opening words. Add things in and take out other things. Use synonyms and antonyms.

Try different lengths, sentence structures, pacing, and tones. Make drafts that sound as different as possible while still expressing the same core set of beliefs.

How Will You Know When You’re Finished?

How will you know when you’re finished? If you’re extraordinarily lucky or a talented wordsmith, you might be able to come up with the perfect vision statement just from these drafts. If not, keep working on drafts until you get tired of it or frustrated.

Set the task aside for a day or two, then come back and read your drafts again. Circle things that you really like. Mark out things you don’t. The bits and pieces that you like are going to form the core of your final draft.

Start making another set of drafts and this time use only the phrases you’ve circled from your first drafts. Then repeat the process until you’ve formed a personal vision statement that suits you. You’ll know when you’re finished.

Having and using a Personal Vision Statement to provide clarity and inspiration is truly worth the time and energy you put into it. It can result in a pivot in your life, or a clearer view of what you already sense about the direction of your life. Enjoy the process and the outcome!

I’m Carol Brusegar, author, photographer and curator of information. My focus is on gathering and writing on topics that enhance all our lives – regardless of our age. Topics include health and wellness, personal development, innovation and creativity, and a variety of helpful, practical tools and practices. I have a special interest in helping people over 50 years of age to create their 3rd Age – the next stage of their lives – to be the best it can be. 

Great Resource For You

Dennis Becker has a publication that can be of great assistance as you begin the process of living out your vision – Unlock Your Ideal Self. He says, “It’s not a magic button, it’s a journey. It’s a journey you’re going to be thrilled to embark on and it’s unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before. Imagine, in just a short time from now you could see some powerful, big changes in your life. Changes that will help you earn more, do better, and find what really makes you happy.” Check it out!