People often say, “I’m not creative. I wish I was, but I’m not.” My inquisitive response, offered with Zen-like compassion, “Have you ever made a sandwich?” With the inevitable affirmation I congratulate them on acknowledging the power of creativity. We easily praise the accomplishments of others, but it is instructive to realize our creativity is a birthright that must be exercised, like when you choose a spinach salad over pastrami on rye.
Thought is creative. Once you choose to make a salad or a sandwich the process of creating flows from the clear vision of the chosen result. You do not have to analyze the process. Far too often we become confused or trapped in analysis, mechanics and reference books. Focus on the sensory feedback and satisfaction you experience with completion. Taste the result you have chosen.
I met a very bright high school golfer recently. When asked about her game she shared her ball striking was solid, but erratic putting held her back. “Have you tried putting by sense of smell?” I asked. She laughed and we discussed the matrix of choice, creativity and self-confidence. If you take a breath and have a clear vision of the chosen result – making a putt or winning a golf tournament – the mind acknowledges, the result is perceived as accomplished and the body relaxes into alignment. It’s a mature mindset that, with practice, produces results.
I encouraged her to be fearless and recommended she read my book, Will of Golf: Mastering the Mind-Body Connection. A month later the friend who introduced us advised the grateful golfer had read the book and was very excited to report shooting 67 and winning her regional high school tournament.
Golf has been my mind-game laboratory for most of my life as the choices made in a round of golf have immediate results. An essential aspect of the Will of Golf program is The Choice to Think Chapter adapted from Frank Natale’s foundational course Results: The Willingness to Create. I took the instructors training to present this material in 1987 and have experienced waves of exponential creative energy that I have eagerly shared with friends, clients and though my writing.
“As a species we have evolved to a level of consciousness that challenges us to embrace our responsibility as creators,” Frank Natale writes in the Results course introduction. “With this higher level of awareness we may no longer claim ignorance. Reclaiming and celebrating our creative power is essential to our individual survival and to healing our families, communities and the planet.”
Making the choice to think is fundamental to exercising your creativity, whether you want to improve your sports performance, relationships or make a delicious spinach salad. Think about it and encourage others to do the same.
Creative strategist Ralph Cissne is the principal of Morgan Road, a marketing and communications company representing clients in health, fitness and personal development. Cissne also serves as director of Natale Life Skills and has edited and published Natale’s The Wisdom of Midlife and Relationships for Life and the online course Results: The Willingness to Create available at FrankNatale.com.
A lifelong advocate of yoga, Cissne is the author of Will of Golf, Mastering the Mind-Body Connection and has written countless articles on golf, yoga and fitness. He has studied yoga with Leeann Carey since 1993, completed his 200-hour instructor training in 2002 and serves on the advisory board of Yapana Life Supported Yoga.
An award-winning poet, Cissne’s short story publication credits include American Way and Playboy. Cissne was a featured reader and comedic presence in the Los Angeles poetry and performance art scene of the late 80s and early 90s and hosted several venues including the Santa Monica Improv. The Ancient Myth spoken word CD was launched with a reading at the legendary Bodhi Tree bookstore in Los Angeles.
A native Californian, Cissne grew up in Oklahoma and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from The University of Oklahoma School of Journalism. He is lifetime member of the National Eagle Scout Association.