Creativity Growth Map

Questions to ask yourself in each of the 8 Keys

Environment: We each have an external and an internal environment. In what ways are your environments supporting you or minimising your efforts? What is one aspect you could move just 1% that would help you begin shifting this?

Skills/Knowledge: Do you have the skills you need for change? Many people think they 'know' what to do logically when facing a challenging situation, yet when it comes to using their knowledge - they discover a big difference between 'understanding' and applying these skills effectively. This is especially true with communication skills. Look at your skill set realistically. Which areas may need updating?

Identity: Who is the 'you' that is turning up every day? Is it your authentic 'you' or your 'ego' who projects to others what you want them to see? Your identity is a complex mix of your life experiences and their memories along with the family culture, your education and the people who helped shape you. Are you the person you want to be? If not, what's one thing you could look at more carefully in order to gain awareness and understanding?

Values/Beliefs: Many people don't take the time to consider what they value. When a difficult situation arises, instead of relying on their value system for support - the moral ground can shift very quickly. Consider your values around relationships, love, work ethics, raising children or lifestyle. What's important to you? What are your no-go zones? And why? What is it about your stance that's been informed by your past? Do your beliefs around this need greater reflection?

Attitudes: We're often blind to our attitudes. It can be difficult to see our attitudes in action, and while many believe that their attitudes are well-hidden, mostly they're not because our body language gives them away with every action, re-action, word or tone we use. The best way to reflect on your attitude is by asking someone else and giving them the opportunity to reflect and open without judgement. The only answer to whatever is said to you is: 'thank you'.

Influence: Most of us like to think of ourselves as autonomous beings. That is rarely true. Social psychologists prove over and over how influenced we can be by people and situations. Consider who influences you. Are these positive influences, neutral or negative? In what ways do they do this - and how do you respond? In turn, who do you influence? And for what purpose? How could you use your 'influence' in even more positive and purposeful ways?

Mindset: Your mindset is often the shield you carry around 'change'. Are you flexible and open to new ideas or more shut-down and satisfied with the status-quo? Your mindset influences how motivated you are. Are you someone who is motivated towards new ideas, change and self-growth? Or are you more motivated by something you'll lose if you don't take action?

Behaviour: Few people are fully aware of how much their actions communicate to another person. From posture to deeds what we do speaks clearly for how we've used our previous experiences to grow ... or not. While we are not our 'behaviour' - the way we act is informed by most of the other 'keys' we've been looking at here. Observe yourself over a 12-hour period as if you were following yourself around with a movie camera. What would you see? What would you hear yourself saying? What would you be doing? Is this the record of who you are that you want?