By Christina Vara
August’s AWC Austin luncheon offered a sneak peek of what’s to come in October’s Get Smart 2011 professional development conference. Speakers Heather McKissick, President and CEO of Leadership Austin; Dianna Amorde, author of “Aha! Moments: When Intellect and Intuition Collide;” and Audrey Selden, chair of Leadership Texas for the Foundation for Women’s Resources weighed in on ways to nurture that creative spark. Here are some of their tips for communicators:
5 Ways to Find Your Creative 
Spark
5. Give your inner critic a break. If the perfectionist in you is keeping you up late at night working on projects, realize you may be doing more harm than good. Know when to walk away, and tell yourself this isn’t the only opportunity you’ll have to work on it.
4. Be mindful of your audience. It’s who you’re interacting with; don’t be interesting, be interested.
3. Push yourself to see things differently. Become more aware of your surroundings. Read magazines or blogs in an area you are unfamiliar with. It just might help you synthesize information into that next big idea.
2. Make moments for me. As flight attendants will tell you, you’ve got to put your own oxygen mask on before helping others. Don’t be afraid to take time for yourself.
1. Find your passion. It’s much easier to tap into your intuitive flow and make the time fly by.
Want a bigger dose of inspiration? Be sure to register for Get Smart 2011, “Keeping the Muse Alive: Nurturing Inspiration & Creativity Against The Odds,” on October 21st at Hilton Austin.
Photo uploaded to Flickr Creative Commons by Neal.
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