Creativity Issue 54

Because you matter

SMART HEALTHY WOMEN

MAGAZINE
 OUR TEAM
EDITOR
Estelle Williams

DESIGNER
Estelle Williams

CONTRIBUTORS
S h a r r o n Ta n c r e d
Jon Michail
Marguerita Cheng
Stacey Odgers
Kris Deminick
Sasha Deguara
Michelle Brown
Amy Applebaum

PHOTOGRAPHS
@mahda
@emilylau
@dan_scape
S h a r r o n Ta n c r e d
@rawpixel
@bryabminear
@edhoradic
@ivorymix
@spochatun
@sagrapo
@f7photo
@ D a n a Te n t i s
@oliver_visuals
@skyestudios
@amyshamblen
@heftiba
@ripato
@jtylernix
@stephenfjohnson
@cathrynlavery

ADVERTISERS
Josa Tullum
100% Pure
Love Goodly
Mixbook
Sakara
Organifi
Copyright © 2018 Smart Healthy Women Magazine. All rights reserved.
SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E 1
CONTENTS

04 From the Editor’s Desk

Welcome to our Creativity Issue.

05 How To Make Your Child’s Bedroom Decor

Last From Childhood To Teen
by Sharron Tancred

11 Coaching Creatively
by Jon Michail

15 Top Ten Creative Ways to Save Money

by Marguerita M. Cheng

22 Creativity in Leadership
by Stacey Odgers

28 Why We All Need to Come Out of the

Creative Closet
by Kris Deminick

35 How to Build Your Creativity Muscle

by Sascha Deguara

42 How to Get Started When your Creative

Urge is Pulling
by Michelle Brown

47 Grasping for Inspiration? 10 steps to boost

your creativity
by Amy Applebaum

52 12 Signs of Creativity
by Estelle Williams

2 SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E
SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E 3
 FROM THE
EDITOR’S DESK
Welcome to our latest issue -
the Creativity Issue.

No matter what your level of creativity, as

women I believe it’s a non-negotiable part
of life to nurture and commit to the creative
life!
And so I’m thrilled to bring you our
amazing experts this month, who are sure
to inspire your own creative streak with
their tips and advice ranging from creativity
in the workplace, creatively using your
brain to ensure a future life of wonderful
possibilities, and decorating in the home to
art journalling and writing.

ESTELLE WILLIAMS
Editor

4 SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E
SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E 5
 by Sharron Tancred

HOW TO MAKE YOUR

CHILD’S BEDROOM
DECOR LAST FROM
CHILDHOOD TO TEEN

Sharron Tancred is a Customised Artwork Specialist

with training in interior decorating, colour
psychology, graphic design and illustration, and helps
you to create your more beautiful and meaningful
interior decor with personalised art that tells your
story but is made to the rules of interior design; but
not just art on canvas! Sharron’s developed some
unique products for your new build or renovation:
Real Art Kitchen Splashbacks, Art into Mosaic,
Moveable Outdoor Murals and soon, her artwork
printed onto large tiles! As a decorator, Sharron gives
you decor tips and training to help you get a plan and
works with interior designers for a shared vision.
Download her free decorating cheatsheet and find
out more about Sharron and her work on her website,
Facebook and LinkedIn.

6 SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E
...todays interiors are the most
elegant and restful when the
colour palette flows throughout
the home
Having a child is expensive!
As a mother of 2 girls myself
and a house proud mum
at that, I know the costs.
There’s something delightful
but wasteful in setting up a
nursery, then a room for a
toddler, then that older kid
but not yet teenage décor and
finally, they are ready to let
go and want change, but not
completely!
How do you plan ahead for
some obvious change of
bedding furniture, your child’s
own input into their space and
how it feels, it’s functionality
and durability? Everyone
has some creativity in them.
Using a few decorating rules
about colour, style, texture,
accessories and artwork can
help make your creative Todays interiors are the most
choices better and longer elegant and restful when
lasting. the colour palette flows
SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E
1. Colour for purpose:
Have you ever heard of colour
psychology? It’s a soft science
used over the millennia and
by advertising, marketing and
interior design companies,
hospitals, prisons etc. For
kids, colour is essential so
they embrace it and it reflects
their personality. For longevity
and a beautiful décor, unless
your walls are white, a full-
on multicoloured décor can
be overpowering, especially
in a small space. If you
love multicoloured, then
put all the colour in your
artwork, rug, toys, cushions
and floral arrangement and
keep the greater décor more
straightforward so that it lasts.
7
throughout your home. With
your child’s room, take your
wall colour in and then, choose
one favourite colour from
your palette and add more of
it, but how do you know which
colour? Avoid red - it’s not
restful for a bedroom!
Avoid black, except in
small punches for contrast -
colour will engage healthier
emotional habits. Blue, green,
yellow, pink, orange are all
great. The colours that create
the illusion of more space, if
the room’s small, are green and
yellow and a blue violet-like,
far away mountains!
Choose two other colours
from your décor as accents.
As your child grows, you add
new accessories in this colour
palette rather than changing
the entire décor!
2. Style and Theme to
values: Your family may be
all about an appreciation
of nature, sports, fantasy,
animals, travel etc. This is
what is important to you!
Buy furniture that suits your
home’s overall interior décor
style so that as your child
grows, it can be re-purposed
with a lick of paint or placed
elsewhere to suit.
If you are very social, get your
child a bunk bed for sleepovers!
If you are glamorous, get them
a double sized bed or queen
straight off and sleepovers will
never be a problem.
The thing is, keep the furniture
stylish and practical so it lasts
the long-term and remember,
you can always paint it.
3. Textures that warm: buy frames that suit your style
Did you know that texture, and in your chosen metal/
like colour, or a good heater, timber/colours.
will warm a space!.
Position toys in your décor
How can you add texture? colour on display and have
baskets for the rest, neatly out
Beautiful wool knit throws of sight.
or feaux furs if you’re that
glamorous mum; knotted Lamps can be an investment
timbers, shag pile or hand for them to last into the
woven rugs and baskets will all teenage years so again, buy
add texture and appease your quality.
creative needs for pattern and
design. If your doorknobs or furniture
hardware are all brushed silver
These things last the years then get a lamp in the same
and are gorgeous for winter metal, or, if you are that really
cuddles and bedtime stories. creative Mum, why not hand
paint some hardware, like
4. Accessories that do and on the drawers or cupboards
don’t change: The things that for instance in a black with a
will change will be toys! Photo design feature.
frames tend to stay so again,
8 SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E
I
f you would like wallpaper, heirloom. Children can paint A mural is another way to add
don’t go kiddy and create their own artwork, like in art to your décor.
a headache for later, and my Private Kids or Adult Art
never buy wallpaper made Workshops, from which you I never suggest kiddy, but
in China, from Bunnings or can take inspiration. again, think on a theme that
online, but a good quality will last, like horses and grasses
design to match your home I like to suggest encouraging in a lovely metallic silver, or
directly from a quality curtain/ children to visualise their trees for a forest feel with a few
wallpaper studio. Faux floral ambitions with a portrait. birds, or go a texture wall like a
arrangements for girls’ rooms Haymes Artisan Feature Wall
can change and are a lovely Unlike photos, which are great effect, with a mural or artwork
addition and present another in frame groupings neatly layer over the top.
way to use your creativity. hung 5-10cm apart as a small
gallery of memories, Kids This is how you can use
5. Art that resonates: So, Fantasy Face Portraits define your creativity to the fullest!
with your base created, what a décor, a child’s personality, Layering adds heaps of interest
will express your child’s childhood dreams and create to your child’s room.
dreams and aspirations? a room’s atmosphere.
Adding art to your child’s
Posters may be one room, gives them an
option, although, I appreciation of the
restrict those to my finer things in life and
children’s study as a precious keepsake
eyesores! or a value-add to
your home’s property
Art is a great way to value and if you have
enhance your décor with created it yourself, a
something that lasts and great deal of pride and
can become a family fulfillment.

SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E 9
 Creativity is not a solitary
movement. That is its
power. Whatever is touched
by it, whoever hears it,
sees it, senses it, knows
it, is fed. That is why
beholding someone else’s
creative word, image, idea,
fills us up, inspires us to
our own creative work.
A single creative act has
the potential to feed a
continent. One creative act
can cause a torrent to run
through stone.

- Clarissa Pinkola Estes

SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E
SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E 11
by Jon Michail

C O A C H I N G C R E AT I V E LY

Jon Michail is an Entrepreneurial Activist… A Rebel With a Cause!

Founder and award-winning Chief Imagemaker Jon, together with his team at
Image Group International, help executives and entrepreneurs to build, grow,
and monetise their personal brands, (online and offline) by positioning them to
stand out so they attract their ideal clients. They are committed to maximising
an individual’s personal impact, influence, and value in the ever-changing
and disruptive business environment. Image Group International is recognised
as Australasia’s leading personal brand image advisory, with over 29 years of
proven results.

O
ver my years of image
coaching I have
kept returning to
the teaching I received from
Robert Fritz, and have found
this immensely useful, both
when structuring my own
business, and to utilise when
coaching my clients. What I
found so valuable in Robert’s
teaching was the idea of our
lives as a creating process.
Now before you go thinking
that this is a nice idea with
no practical grounding, think
again about what really goes
into creative processes. Art,
literature, music, architecture,
and business - all are created
with vision, purpose, and
reliance on an underpinning to create anything at all. If
structure. we abandon creativity as
frivolous, then the architect
A building will collapse if designs an ugly, grey box of
it has been poorly planned a building, and the composer
and lacks structural integrity. never bothers to create music
Music with no rhythm (even at all.
the most experimental jazz)
is just noise. Living a creative I’ve worked with many
life does not mean abandoning creatives over the years (visual
practicality. artists, authors, and others)
and I’ve also worked with
Conversely, when we focus too sportspeople, entrepreneurs,
much on practicality (when and bankers.
we are caught in the rat race of
corporate culture, practicality What I’ve found is that these
linked to productivity tends to very different people and
be revered and worshipped) personalities all benefit from
and we lose sight not only of treating their lives and careers
creativity, but also the act of as creating projects.
“creating”, then we struggle
12 SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E
A
s human beings we
have an innate desire
to practice creativity,
and stifling our creative power
is one of the surest paths to
failure. Choosing a creating
life is a matter of free will -
and it doesn’t have to cost you
a cent.
In my work I see many clients
who would never describe
themselves as creative, and
this holds them back from
seeing all that they can achieve
through creating. When we
create, we cause something
to come into being, through
intention and design. This is
exactly what every successful
person living a fulfilling life
does every single day - they
create!
On the other hand there are
many talented and creative
people out there who fail to
find success. Why? Because
despite all their creative
talents, they are not pouring
their efforts into creating the
life of their dreams.
When your response to an issue
When working with my clients is creative, you demonstrate
we focus on the “Big 3” - the love, and contribute something
most common responses of worth.
SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E
to problems - avoidance,
overpowering, or creating.
The first response, avoidance,
is pretty straightforward. You
have a disagreement with your
partner, and in order to cope
you simply ignore it. You avoid
the issue. Sound familiar to
anyone?
The second response,
overpowering, is also sadly
common. If you are having
trouble with a project, or even
a colleague, at work, your
instinctive response is to go
into micro-manager mode.
In an attempt to motivate
yourself, and overcome the
obstacle, you use force.
The third, and the most
powerful, way to deal with
an issue is through creating.
Instead of giving up or beating
down, you seek a creative
solution. In seeking that
creative solution you make
something new, you seek to
understand, to nurture, and
to grow.
13
I
t is natural and healthy for
us to practice creativity.
When we aren’t creating
we become bored. This doesn’t
mean you aren’t busy - we
all know that you can have a
hectic work life, and yet find
that work boring and tedious.
When we are bored though,
or suffering from a sense of
purposelessness, our next step
is to seek distraction. And we
tend to distract ourselves
with destructive behaviours.
All because we don’t indulge
our natural creative bent. All
because we have swallowed the incredible artist, Deborah
the lie that creativity is an Halpern,
indulgence, a distraction from
our “serious” work. “Live a creative life! Early
in my career I travelled in
We are most alive when living Europe looking for Outsider
a life of creativity. Creativity Artists. Some of their work
demands a willingness to was judged to not even be
understand, it requires vision. good and interesting as art,
Through creativity we become but it served their expression,
nurturers (of ourselves and and it reflected the creator. I
others) and that nurturing met people living fully creative
produces growth. lives, who were not constricted
by concerns of exhibiting nor
So why not take the excellent selling their work. It was very
advice of my good friend, liberating!”
14 SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E
TOP TEN
CREATIVE
WAYS TO
SAVE MONEY
by Marguerita Cheng

Marguerita M. Cheng is the Chief Executive Officer at Blue Ocean

Global Wealth. She is a columnist for Investopedia & Kiplinger. She is
a member of CNBC Digital Financial Advisor Council. As a Certified
Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP Board) Ambassador,
Marguerita helps educate the public, policymakers, and media about
the benefits of competent, ethical financial planning. She serves as
a Women’s Initiative (WIN) Advocate and member of the Diversity
Advisory Group (DAG) for CFP Board.

Her mantra is “So many people spend their health to gain wealth,
and then have to spend their wealth to regain their health” -
A.J. Reb Materi.

O
ne dollar here...another
one there! In April 2018,
a viral video of a mother
teaching her child financial
responsibility went online. Lynn
Brooks posted it on Facebook,
which included a “work schedule”
that included chores and school
for her daughter, Londyn. Many
people approved of Brooks’
actions, while others chastised
her. When do we start learning
to save? Saving money is never
an easy goal to achieve, especially
16
with limited finances. Some
people learn to save after receiving
their first pay check when they
are 16, while others never learn.
Once you earn a pay check, you
realize that there are too many
bills and too little income to pay
them. Despite the odds, saving
is possible—you just need to be
creative.
There are numerous ways to save
money, but many people are not
aware of them.
SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E
O
ne method will not help you save
thousands of dollars but combining
several of them will go a long way toward
that goal. Here are some smart and creative ideas
to consider when you are trying to save more.

CREATE A FINANCIAL PLAN

Saving money is a journey that requires determining

an absolute path, complete with plans and objectives.
If you save a lot of money but use it unwisely, a
plan can help you set priorities by detailing all
your expenditures. A proper budget will guide
your spending and teach you financial discipline.
A smart and creative financial plan helps you to
account for your saved money. Keep your guilty
pleasures at bay! SHOP AROUND

Review your plan annually and set a goal of When you are buying an item, do not settle for the
increasing the amount that you are saving. first offer you receive. Do your research and look
for other offers.
ENHANCE NEGOTIATION SKILLS
Draw from your network of friends and
Get better deals at low prices by bargaining. While workmates—they may know where to obtain
not all businesses will allow negotiations, take discounts and which establishments to avoid.
advantage of those that offer this option. For instance, Mostly, interact with people you share common
bargain for lesser charges on bills or subscriptions. interests with and exchange helpful ideas.
Big-ticket items such as cars and houses are always
subject to negotiation. You can also inquire about Numerous websites review products and prices.
discounts when buying commodities. Some stores These reviews are a suitable guide for decision-
even allow price adjustments on commodities. making. Compare and contrast all your options
and choose the best deal. One store may sell the
For example, if you purchased an item and one item at a given price, while another is ready to offer
week later it is available on clearance, you can return you the same item at a lower cost.
to the store with your receipt and request a refund
for the extra charge you paid. For instance, an item at Costco may be cheaper
than the same item on eBay.

SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E 17
BULK BUYING
Economies of large scale have
always been cost-effective. Buying
in bulk instead of buying smaller
units of items will help you to save
some money. Sellers encourage
bulk buying by giving discounts
to increase their sales. It is a win-
win situation for both buyer and
seller. Buyers receive discounted
prices while sellers increase their
profit margin.
ADD AN EXTRA INCOME
Limited finances can be improved
by adding another source of
income, which leads to increased
savings. Consider expanding your
business by adding a profitable
unit. Employees could also
consider running small businesses
or making deals during their free
time. The internet has numerous
opportunities for earning extra
income, even for full-time
employees. Most of these jobs have
a part-time option for people who
are not available full-time.
SHARE WORKING
SURFACES AND SPACES
Are your office premises too big?
Look for another business person
who would like to share the space.
Sharing the premises means you
do not have to pay the rent alone. It
also includes other services shared
in this office. For example, you
and the other individual can share
the expenses for internet service.
Alternatively, look for a business
or company willing to sublet office
space, which can save money
on rent. Another arrangement
that some families take part in
to save money is sharing Netflix
subscriptions.
CAPITALIZE ON ANNUAL
PAYMENTS
Mortgages, auto, education, and
life insurances require periodic
payments. Ensure that they are in
your financial plan. Some people
prefer monthly payments, while
others pay annually or biannually.
Most companies offer discounts
to customers who pay annually,
another opportunity to save
money. Ensure that you save your
“found” money.
CARRY PACKED FOOD
Preparing your food at home
is cheaper and healthier than
buying fast food. Choose to
carry packed meals from home
rather than eating out. The daily
savings may not seem substantial,
but the accumulated amount is
considerable.
18 SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E
H
ome meals are also healthier, and you
have a wide variety to choose from.
People think preparing meals at home
takes time and decide to, but if you organize and
plan ahead, you will only need a few minutes to
pack something light for lunch.
Follow the 10 tips outlined here as appropriate and
develop a plan on how to invest it for your future.
A lack of financial planning may lead you to use
your money unwisely. Avoid deviating from your
plan and enjoy the journey.

AVOID WASTE

Develop
Most people use too much toothpaste, shampoo,
and lotion. Reducing portions by half also means
you have reduced their costs by half. For instance,
toothpaste that lasted two weeks will now sustain you
an entire month. Encourage your family members a habit of
saving,
to serve only as much food as they can finish. The
entire family can practice using resources wisely.

WATCH YOUR CREDIT CARD

and you
will be
Many people like using their credit cards because
they can track purchases accurately and avoid
carrying cash. The downside to using your credit
card for purchase is the danger of overspending
and increase exposure to fraud, not to mention amazed
by the
debt accumulation.

You must monitor the way you use your credit

card. Ensure that you keep track of your spending
according to the financial plan. Watch out for any rewards
that
unusual messages that indicate hacking. Use free
credit card monitoring services instead of paying
charges for them.

Saving money is an art that requires creativity and

seizing every opportunity available. To save a penny,
follow...
patience and discipline are needed.

SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E 19
Don’t be satisfied
with stories,
how things have
gone with others.
Unfold your own
myth.

- Rumi

20 SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E
WE THINK YOU’LL LIKE...

SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E 21
by Stacey Odgers

C R E AT I V I T Y I N L E A D E R S H I P
As founder of Lead and Succeed Resources and Succeed with Stacey, Stacey’s company
assists business owners to cultivate leadership and “deepen their benches.” Other than
financial advising, she saw the need businesses had for increased productivity, growth
and key person retention. So she added private leadership consulting as an offering
to her clients, owners of affluent privately held businesses. That led to her developing
programs for their employees.Her newest book was just released in July, “Train Your
Brain; 5 Ways to Master Your Mindset and Achieve Your Life Goals”. She is also a
keynote speaker and an Executive Director and Coach with The John Maxwell Team.

A
t the office, how continue to be successful
writing a thing to do for later.
often have you sat in in a 9-5 work environment.
It amazes me how some of
a conference room This couldn’t be further from
the older companies in the
and someone got up to speak the truth. Many companies
country have their trainers
and yet there was no audience are hiring outside speakers
and compliance staff speak at
participation? and trainers to engage with
people and not with them.
their employees and they are
I bet ten minutes into the talk The business atmosphere smart to do so. Interactive
you were texting under the is changing and yet some communication is where
table, checking social media or businesses think they will creativity happens.
22 SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E

I
f everyone is stuck in their
own separate cubicle or
box, how can a company
expect them to think outside of
the box and let the innovation
of new ideas flow?
Millennials and Gen Y think
differently than Gen X and
Baby Boomers. What they
want from a workplace is very
different. And they are the
future of business. They want
to collaborate with each other,
grow and make the workplace
more fun. They are interested
in personal development
programs and they are starting
to be heard. It would be a great
add-on to employee benefits
and that is exactly what a lot
SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E
of companies are starting to
do. Develop the person within
the position, give them clear
direction and watch them fly.
This is what true leadership is
all about.
Create leaders by developing
people personally. When you
offer leadership training, you
will see that employees are
able to free up space in their
minds for more creative ideas
to flow. If people are angry,
upset, or feeling hurt, that
translates into low productivity
in the workplace and their
mind is not fully engaged in
their position. They can be
preoccupied with their own
struggles and troubles which
23
spill into the company’s
environment in a negative
way. Growth and creativity
are stunted. How are leaders to
bring out the creative juices in
their team if they have personal
concerns overshadowing?
Companies are now realizing
that people perform and create
at maximum levels when they
are receiving help from their
employer by hiring executive
coaches to train in leadership
development. Leaders can
grow other leaders on the
team. However, if they have
never learned the coping
skills to help a person be less
anxious and therefore more
productive, how can we expect
them to develop others. They
can’t.
Many companies are bringing
in experts to create personal
growth programs and engage
their top-level executives in
working with a business life
coach. You don’t have to be
born a leader to be a leader.
Leadership can be learned
and skills developed. There are
millions of leaders that have
untapped potential to unleash
their creativity. An engaging
workplace also helps people
to be more creative.
 E
mployers need for collaboration which allow
to e st abl i s h an people to feel less confined.
environment to engage When you are confined to an
workers and make them feel office, cubicle or conference

YOU more open as to things they see

that could improve areas of the
room, you can feel isolated
and not feel you contribute as

DON’T company. much as you could otherwise to

the company. Often the worker

HAVE I recently visited a company is just going to a job, and that

who is getting it. It was an produces less productivity.

TO BE older Fortune 500 company

that had adopted a newer work Picture a place that is fun to go

BORN A environment that focused all on to work. A place where people

people’s mindset and wellness. are open to developing new

LEADER ideas and you will see natural

Because the truth is that the leaders begin to emerge. The

TO BE A key to being creative is having a companies riding this new

mind free of anxiety and worry; wave have outside life coaches

LEADER... a mind able to be open to new and leadership programs for

thoughts and ideas. If you their employees to help them
have seen newer companies’ release their mental tension.
workplaces, you will find They have amenities that are
things like meditation rooms, conducive to relieving stress
private work areas in open and allow new ideas to emerge.
spaces with couches and tables

GREAT
leaders
CREATE MORE
leaders
24 SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E
E
mployees no longer from their cubicle and allows These companies taking these
feel trapped in their them interaction with others actions are winning in the
cubicle . These new age in the company and creativity marketplace in several ways.
environments have coffee bars, blossoms. They are making the
exercise rooms or personal workplace somewhere people So companies using executive
pods take a mental breaks. enjoy their careers and not coaching and personal
some job they hate showing development programs and
Isn’t that better than going to up to every day. And whoever who engage their staff have
the restroom just to be alone said someone had to work 9-5 a higher rate of return than
for a few minutes. Interactive in the first place. those without.
companies engage employees
from various areas of the Times are changing thankfully. These companies grow the
company and allow them to Companies are allowing individual and create leaders
have brainstorming sessions. flexible work hours. That alone by doing something different.
reduces some people’s personal Many companies now have
These work environments stress when it comes to family open spaces that allow a freer
allow the person to feel freed and children. feeling.
ACCORDING TO A MANCHESTER US SURVEY POLL:

» PARTICIPANTS CONFIRMED (A CONSERVATIVE AVERAGE OF

RETURN) OF US $100K OR 6 TIMES WHAT COACHING COST THE
COMPANY

» 28% REPORTED INCREASE IN JOB PERFORMANCE FROM $500K

TO $1M (SALES, PRODUCTIVITY OR PROFITABILITY)

» 77% REPORTED IMPROVED IN RELATIONSHIPS WITH DIRECT

REPORTS

» 71% REPORTED IMPROVED RELATIONSHIPS WITH MANAGERS/

BOSS

» 63% REPORTED IMPROVED RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEERS

» 37% REPORTED IMPROVED RELATIONSHIPS WITH CUSTOMERS

» 61% REPORTED INCREASE IN JOB SATISFACTION

» 44% REPORTED INCREASE IN ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT

(LESS LIKELY TO LEAVE)

W
hen an executive or manager is According to Forbes, the returns for executive
trapped within their own heads, coaching while they are at work produces
how are they supposed to grow all the above and a 357% - 700% return on
other leaders? Programs that combine focusing investment.
on the individual rather than the group expand
their leaders base and from there they then Just remember creativity flows where energy
teach others through their example. goes. If people had less anxiety at work and
in their personal lives, imagination has more
Free flow in leadership allows the ideas to room so that they would to grow. In this case
emerge that can take the individual and the it is a win/win for all.
company to new heights.
26 SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E
Creativity takes
courage.

- Henri Matisse
 by Kris Deminick
WHY WE ALL NEED TO
COME OUT OF THE
C R E AT I V E C L O S E T
Kris is a certified mindset coach
and self expression advocate.
After years of hustle and stress
within a corporate career, Kris
realised she had traded in her
happiness. She believes that a
creative life is a playful life,
is a happy life, so through her
business This Electrified Life, she
aims to shift self-expression from
optional to optimal. Kris coaches
bored, burnt-out rebels, tomboys
and creatives who are left wanting
by the status quo, and depleted by
all-work-no-play. Kris helps her
clients swap expectation for self
expression, perfection for play,
and should into could, to live this
electrified life.
W
h a t’s your
creative streak
you’ve always
said you’ll get back to “when
you have time”? Creative
self expression seems to
get left on the cutting room
floor in the adult pursuit of
happiness and success.
It’s cast as a luxury only
available once we have the
respected job, supportive
partner, stable income,
modern home, tight
circle of BFFs, superfood
smoothies, and Instagram-
worthy exercise routine.
Yet creativity is worth so
much more than we give it
credit for. It helps process
and regulate emotions,
build our sense of identity,
develop mindfulness in the
28
present moment, and most
importantly connect us to
joy. So what if you don’t
think you’re creative?
WIDEN YOUR
DEFINITION
There is no such thing as a
non-creative person, just a
limited definition. You don’t
have to be paid for your
creativity for it to count,
nor be practising at any
particular level.
Those of us who draw stick
figures are still artistic. Those
of us who sing out of tune
in the car are still musical.
The value of our creativity is
in the way it makes us feel,
not in the way it markets to
others.
SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E
A
ny expression
that makes us
feel electrically
charged, and gets us out of
our heads, is creativity.
For you it may be painting,
film, dance, pottery,
writing, fashion, poetry,
makeup, yoga, drawing,
photography, f lower
arrangement, interior
design, cooking, knitting,
the way you dress, or even
just creative exploration.
The list is endless because
our self expression is
endless, but one thing I
know is that we all have it.
START BEFORE
YOU’RE READY
Now you’ve acknowledged
your creative self you’re
likely thinking “but I’m not
ready, I’m not good enough
yet”. This is where we need
to put our ego in a box and
just start.
High expectations and the
rigidity of an end result
means we’ll never feel the
state of readiness we seek.
Your creative self is ready,
yearning to be expressed,
and wants to bring you the
SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E
joy that is waiting. Your
fear of not being ready,
being judged, or failing is a
sneaky illusion created by
the ego because it doesn’t
like not being “the best”
at everything. Break this
illusion down by checking
what else you feel alongside
fear. You might find
anticipation, exhilaration,
curiosity, or bravery. These
sensations feel very similar
so try swapping the word
fear with curiosity and see
what shift that brings to
your willingness to play
with creativity.
SWAP
PERFECTION
FOR PLAY
On the other hand, perfectionism
(in extreme cases) can cause
Play and creativity go
conditions such as anxiety, stress
hand in hand, while
related illness, eating disorders
perfectionism stifles both.
and obsessive tendencies. It’s time
Like creativity, play in adult
to uncouple our creativity with the
life has more benefits than
need for achievement, and return
we acknowledge.
to the reason we do it in the first
place - joy.
Dr Stuart Brown’s research
shows that regular play
Express yourself without worry
improves our resilience,
about the results. It doesn’t matter
optimism, self expression,
if no-one comments on it, sees it,
problem solving, trusting
hears it, buys it, or even likes it!
relationships and stress
What matters is that you’re in the
regulation.
energy of creating.
29
 W
hen you do this, you
shift your vibrational
frequency from control,
overthinking, and people-pleasing to
flow, intuition, and trust.

A profound example is the Tibetan

monks who spend days creating
intricate, beautiful mandalas
together from coloured sand only
to finish and sweep them away. The
joy, creative process, and meditative
state of creation remains with them
whilst teaching the impermanence of
things.

So next time second guess your

creative endeavours stop and ask
“what would this be like if it were
fun?”

TRADE IN COMPARISON
FOR CREATIVE
COMPANIONS

Rather than see others as better than

or beating you, join them!

Holding back because of self

judgement in the eyes of others
comes down to trust.

By now it will be no surprise that

play, creativity, and finally our
creative companions all help develop
trust.

30 SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E
 S
o surround yourself by those who are in tune with
the electrically charged feeling of creation, both
your peers and your muses. What are you scared
to show them, or what do you think they’ll think about
you?

Chances are they have felt or thought the same things.

So be with them, and take a chance on what could evolve
or emerge if you trusted yourself more.

By stepping out of the creative closet and actively

committing to regular self expression, you will begin to
shift your energy to joy, feel closer to yourself, and be
more willing to go with the flow of the spontaneous and
unexpected.

SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E 31
Take a chance
on what could
evolve if you
trusted yourself
more...

32 SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E
 No Juicer? No problem!

Organifi Green Juice combines 11 superfoods in 1 tasty drink! No

Blending, No Juicing and No Clean-up!

Organifi is 100% safe and natural and includes gently dried superfood
powder infused with coconut water crystals and ashwagandha. We
have helped many thousands of people supercharge their lives, restore
glowing good health and feel much younger!
SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E 33
One must still have chaos
in oneself to be able to
give birth to a dancing
star.

- Friedrich Nietzsche

34 SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E
 IF YOU LOOK
AT THE
ADVANCEMENT
OF HUMANITY IT
FUNDAMENTALLY
DEPENDS ON
CREATIVE
INNOVATION

- JONATHON SCHOOLER
C
reativity is a key
part of intelligence.
When you become
more creative, your skills at
solving problems improve
dramatically, your brain
efficiency speeds up and
you develop more and more
effective ways of thinking and
behaving.
Jonathon Schooler, professor
at University of California
suggests creativity is what is
driving us forward: “If you
look at the advancement of
humanity it fundamentally impulses and emotional
dep ends on cre at ive behaviours and learn new
innovation.” things. It also separates us from
the other animals. For human
So how do we get our creative beings, the frontal lobe is
juices flowing? It all begins in almost 40% of the entire brain.
the frontal lobe! For apes and chimpanzees, it is
about 15% to 17%. For dogs it’s
Our frontal lobe in our brain 7% and cats 3.5%.
is our creative centre. It’s the
CEO of the brain. It’s the So if this is what separates us
Executive of the Mind. from the animals, why don’t
we utilise this more? Perhaps
The frontal lobe is where we we lack the awareness and
speculate on what is possible, knowledge to understand its
make decisions, control capability?

by Sascha Deguara

HOW TO
BUILD YOUR
C R E AT I V I T Y
MUSCLE!

Sascha is an accredited Master NLP Coach, NLP Practitioner, TimeLine Therapist®, wife, toddler tamer
and founder of gamechanger coaching. She coaches and facilitates solution based programs to assist
individuals and groups transform and breakthrough their fears and limiting beliefs so they can achieve
their ultimate life goals. Sascha’s mission is to help other people find their true purpose by providing
clients the tools and techniques to re-program their brain and design the life of their dreams. You can
connect with Sascha on Instagram and Facebook.

36 SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E
 V
anderbilt
University
management
professor Richard Daft says
“the average human spends
only about 2 per cent to 10
per cent of their time each
day using the frontal lobe”.
The rest of the time we are
on autopilot.
Thinking the same
thoughts, feelings and
emotions day in, day out.
A brain on autopilot is a
bored brain. We get so
distracted and hypnotised
by our external world the
rest of the brain is active
while the frontal lobe
“creative powerhouse” is
dialled way down.
SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E 37
So how do we dial up our
lobes and tap into this
powerhouse?
1. ASK OPEN-ENDED
QUESTIONS TO
CREATE A NEW MIND!
Neuroscientist Dr Joe
Dispenza says, “The frontal
lobe has connections to all
other parts of the brain
and when you ask open
ended questions like; what
would it be like to…? How
would it have to be…?,
the frontal lobe (like a
symphony conductor, looks
out at the landscape of the
entire brain and begins to
select different networks
of neurons and seamlessly
pieces them together to
create a new mind.”
When we change our routine...
we are creating new brain
connections...
W
henever we make
our brain work
differently, we are
literally changing our minds
and we turn on the frontal lobe,
our creative centre! When the
frontal lobe turns on, it begins
recruiting circuits in the rest
of the brain that are related
to things we’ve learnt and/
or experienced in life. When
this occurs, we now have a
new intention or vision of the
future. With the intention
locked in our frontal lobe, the
new thought becomes a new
possibility or potential in the
quantum field.
2. CHANGE IT UP!
Let’s be honest, most of us are
creatures of habit. We have
a tendency to do the same
things and think the same
thoughts every day. So next
time you brush your teeth try The average individual doesn’t
brushing with the opposite activate imagination and if
hand, think about how the they do, they use it against
colour pink tastes, what the themselves. They imagine
clouds smell like or simply what they don’t want and the
just try out a new recipe. associated problems instead
When we change our routine, of using creativity to imagine
experiences or change the way what you do want. Don’t get
we do things we are creating pulled down this rabbit hole.
new brain connections. You Activate your imagination.
are activating these new brain Daydream. Think of all the
connections. possibilities your life could be
- it really is limitless.
3. IMAGINATION
If we keep thinking about
“The true sign of intelligence making that future become a
is not knowledge but reality, we naturally begin to
imagination” Albert Einstein. insert ourselves into the scene
of our future.
Your imagination is the
true source of creativity. According to research on
Napoleon Hill points out mental rehearsal, once we
that “imagination is the immerse ourselves in that
most marvelous, miraculous, scene of our imagination,
inconceivably powerful force changes begin to take place in
that the world has even known”. our brain.
38 SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E
 be. We need to train our brain
to think less. Or maybe even
have a nap! Companies like
Google, Uber, Ben & Jerry’s
and PwC have adapted sleep
at work. They provide nap
had a plan for a new film he
seemed to go through three
phases of thinking which they
named Dreamer, Realist, and
Critic.

T
pods, sleeping nooks, or have • Dreamer: dream all
herefore each time napping policies for their the possibilities without
we do this, we’re employees to rest and recharge any inhibitions. Anything is
laying down new so their creativity remains possible. Then take that dream
neurological tracks (in the high throughout the day – yes to the realist and make a plan;
present moment) that literally please!
change our brain to look like • Realist: How are we
the brain of our future. In 5. THE DISNEY STRATEGY going to make this work? This
other words, the brain starts would mean a step-by-step
to look for the future we want When it comes to creativity plan using logic, reason, and
to create and has already and imagination there is no pragmatism.
happened. WOW! bigger inspiration out there
other than Walt Disney. NLP • Critic: What am I
4. UNPLUG Pioneer and author, Robert missing here? What obstacles
Dilts, identified how Walt are we going to face, how do
Sometimes your mind just Disney brought these visionary we get around them? The
needs to unplug from the ideas from dreams to reality. Devils Advocate.
influx of information and just He observed that when Disney
SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E 39
W
alt Disney used disenchantment, and inaction, same manner.
each of the which leads to mental
three styles – roadblocks to creativity. So I challenge you to try each
but in sequence rather than of the techniques above over
simultaneously! The Disney technique is a the next week to see what
powerful tool to help channel changes start taking place in
This produced action. Many inner creativity in an effective your life. Are you a leader or a
of us muddle up the three way, while ensuring all paths follower? Build your creativity
styles – producing confusion, to success are flowing in the muscle today!

40 SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E
There is no time for cut-and-dried monotony.
There is time for work. And time for love.
That leaves no other time.

- Coco Chanel
by Michelle Brown

HO W TO GE T S TA RT E D WH EN
Y O UR CRE AT I V E URG E IS
P U LL ING
Michelle Brown is an Engineer, a Mixed Media Artist and an Out-of-the-Box
thinker! She is passionate about encouraging women to find their inner passion
for creating and offers many ways to fulfil these needs! Michelle believes that
everyone can be creative, and with a few craft supplies and techniques, you will
be ready to start exploring. Michelle lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her very
understanding husband and two teenage boys. You can connect with Michelle on
her website, Facebook and Instagram.

T
here are times in our doesn’t need to be a tragic we have some extra time on
lives when we have a event, just a major shift in our our hands (that we don’t need
moment to pause and own perspective of our lives - to use cleaning the house!) or
reflect. suddenly on maternity leave, when the kids finally move
waiting for the baby to arrive. out - it’s at these moments that
This may be on a regular basis we get to reflect on what we
for some of us; for others it The moment when we realise REALLY want to do with our
takes one of life’s big moments that our kids don’t need us lives.
that cause us to pause. It quite as much anymore and

42 SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E
I
t’s all very well to be the best want to create something. We you. Writing in an easy creative
mother and housekeeper or need to explore what that may outlet to get started with - all
whatever our chosen field of be - and it doesn’t necessarily we need is pencil and paper,
carer is, but in these moments of need to be one thing, it may be or something to record your
reflection, a tiny voice reminds a combination of things. thoughts.
us that we used to make stuff
and be creative and we LOVED IS IT WRITING? To get you going, there are lots
how that made us feel - so how Were you one of those kids who of great online resources for
do we get started when we feel wouldn’t go anywhere without a generating ideas. One of my
the creative urge starting to pencil and paper, just in case a favourites is the use of Morning
pull? Let’s dive in! brilliant story idea popped into Pages, introduced to me by Tim
your head and you needed to Ferriss. The concept is to spend
Some women use their jot it down? I was! And if that a regular amount of time each
creativity to bake or dress and was you, then writing might be day to empty your head onto
style themselves, others of us the creative urge that is pulling paper.

SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E 43

T
his can be therapeutic
for thinking our
thoughts and feelings
at any point in time. These
sessions can also be used to
“prime the pump” and get us
accustomed to using writing
as a way to develop our
thoughts and ideas. However
it presents itself for us, writing
is one way to develop those
creative urges into a fulfilling
pastime. Writing can also give
us support in those moments
we need them.
IS IT DRAWING OR
PAINTING?
Were you one of the kids
who loved coloured pencils
and had a talent for drawing?
Similar to the writing urge, the
drawing urge is also easy to
identify and fulfil - get yourself
a sketch book and drawing
HERE’S HOW
TO ACHIEVE IT:
materials - pencils, pens, will fulfil your creative urge!
markers, pastels, charcoal - Let me introduce you to art
whichever calls to you - and journalling and the wonderful
start drawing. Again there are world of mixed media art!
many online resources to help
you perfect your approach, as Art journaling and mixed
well as Facebook groups to media art are where craft and
share your work with others. fine art cross over! They are
creative approaches where
OR IS IT you don’t need to be a great
SOMETHING ELSE? writer or a intuitively talented
Were you of those kids who drawer to have fun!
didn’t have a natural talent for
writing or drawing but still felt Art journalling combines
the need to create?!? many crafts and writing; it can
include using paints, inks and
I hear from so many women, markers, along with rubber
women in their 50’s and 60’s stamps, stencils and collage to
who tell me they were told create colourful pieces within
at 8 or 9 that they “couldn’t a book or journal.
draw” and have listen to that
voice for many decades, but The “mixed media” part is
their creative urge never went simply combining more than
away! If this is you then there one of these mediums in your
are still creative options that artwork.
44 SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E
L
ike many crafts, your art journaling
practices can be as simple or as
complex as you want! And its all
about what YOU want to create! There are
few rules; only guidelines that are created
to harness the different art products
characteristics (some media really shouldn’t
mix!)

And best of all: there are no mistakes with

art journaling and mixed media - only
opportunities to take your piece in a different
direction and learn from that!

FINDING YOUR TRIBE IN THE

ONLINE COMMUNITY
Online resources and Facebook groups are
a fantastic way to connect with like-minded
women and really find your tribe - people
who get your need to indulge your creative
urge. Even better is to find like-minded
people in real life! a chance to see the latest craft supplies and
techniques, watch demonstrations, attend
Check out your local newsagents for craft classes and buy your craft supplies, knowing
magazines; they provide inspiration and you have supported a small business that will
often include lists of local crafting groups support your need to continue developing your
that meet on a regular basis. creative muscles.

Also check your local craft stores. Many of ON REFLECTION

these companies are small businesses run
by women who are passionate about their
craft and offer classes, along with a chance to
meet other women who are keen to express
their own creative urges. The ultimate in
real life crafting experiences are craft shows;
this is where many craft and related retailers
come together, like a conference, offering
SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E
Once you identify which form your creative
urge may take, whether it’s writing, drawing,
art journaling or mixing all of these media, get
started with the simple steps outlined above.
And remember there are no hard and fast
rules about the “right” way to do it! Whatever
appeals to you and satisfies your creative urges,
then that’s the right approach for you!
45
...life beats down and
crushes the soul and
art reminds you that
you have one...

- Stella Adler

46 SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E
 G RASPIN G F O R
I NSPIRATIO N?
10 S TEPS TO B O O S T
Y O U R CRE AT I V I T Y

Amy Applebaum is an
entrepreneur, business coach,
author, media personality,
wife and mom of precocious
5-year-old. She understands
the struggles that come with
running your own business, and
has been there firsthand. You
can read more about Amy and
get in touch through her website,
AmyApplebaum.com.

SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E 47
F irst… why should you be creative? I mean, who cares?

Well, a study done by Adobe and Forrester Consulting showed

that 82 percent of companies believe creativity is essential to
business results.

‘Not only does creative thinking produce winning sales and

marketing campaigns that increase brand appeal to the end
user, but it can also help foster a unique company culture
that ultimately reflects and encourages creativity within each
department,’ says Mike Mansbach of Blue Jeans Network.

The problem is that we don’t always feel creative.

Let’s be real - As an entrepreneur you are tackling just about

everything in your business: customer service, business
development, marketing, sales, admin… sometimes your
creativity has dried up.

So what do you do?

There are many steps you can take to get inspired and release
the creativity you have inside!

1 ACCEPT

The first thing you need to do is accept that it’s ok. You work
hard and its normal to hit a “lack of creativity” wall.

2 BE PATIENT

Don’t Push It. The best things happen unexpectedly. It’s important
to trust that it will happen - if you create the environment for it..

3 CHANGE YOUR ENVIRONMENT

The same environment breeds a lot of the same thoughts. So

change it up. Give your mind and body something new to
process and something new to experience. Creativity doesn’t
happen to you, it IS you. To find it, you must do creative things.
This means stepping out of the routine, allowing yourself to see,
hear and view life from a new perspective.
48 SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E

4
PUT YOURSELF
IN CREATIVE
ENVIRONMENTS
When I need some creativity
- like when I want to come up
with a new marketing strategy
- I do something creative in
another realm.
Sometimes I bring out the
canvas and brushes and start
painting. Sometimes I make
bracelets with my daughter.
Sometimes I color on my
coloring app. The idea is to
stop fixating on the task at
hand and just get creative.
So put yourself in creative
environments and then, relax
and let things happen.
5
GET PLAYFUL
Instead of fighting or
mourning what seems to be a
loss of inspiration, try playing.
Literally. Get your mind off of
the task at hand and play.
Plan a pie fight with your kids
and honey. Play pictionary or
SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E
charades or twister. Engage in the privacy of your home.
child-play. Child-play can be There are so many out there
just the thing to bring about but Huffington Post and Thrive
inspiration. Global (Arianna Huffington
is a huge practitioner of yoga)
Abstract artist Pablo Picasso recommend a few. Here’s the
was quoted saying, “Every top two: Strala at Home, and
child is an artist. The problem Yoga Journal.
is how to remain an artist once
7
we grow up.” What he meant
by that is that as we grow up we
lose the childlike curiosity and
TRY
freedom to be open, unafraid, MINDFULNESS
uninhibited. Forget what you
have to do, drop everything
and take the kids out to play. According to Mindful:
YES! It’s important to get your “Mindfulness is the basic
head out of the computer and human ability to be fully
get some new perspectives - present, aware of where we are
those are where my best ideas and what we’re doing, and not
come from. overly reactive or overwhelmed
by what’s going on around us.”
6
TAKE UP YOGA Being present and aware isn’t
foreign to us - it’s natural but
we have learned to create
When I am lacking creativity distractions that move us away
- I do yoga. It’s life-changing from being present.
for me. I have come up with
some of my best ideas during To begin being mindful, try
a Warrior 1 pose or laying in meditating. Guided meditation
Savasana. And don’t say you is typically the easiest place to
don’t have time. Make time. start as you will notice your
mind wander less. Listening
You have time for anything to ‘Unleash Your Creativity’
you deem a priority. Where may be just what you need to
to begin? Try Youtube Yoga in get the ideas flowing.
49
 8 TAKE A BREAK

A long one or short one. Maybe a three day weekend

is what you need. Get away to a new place. Turn off
your mind for a few days and go exploring. Pick
a place that you have been wanting to go. Or do a
Staycation and learn something new by taking a short
class. Sometimes the sources of inspiration will come
from those places that you haven’t been to yet. It is
amazing how refreshing and inspired you may feel
when you come back from a long weekend or short
break.

9 BE ADVENTUROUS

Do new things. Have new conversations. Go to new

places. Experience new restaurants - again stay away
from routine.

New experiences give you new ideas and perspectives,

opening up your creative pathways.

10 OPEN YOUR ‘INSIDE’ EYES

Everyone has got their eyes open but not everyone

has their inside eyes open. Your inside eyes see deep
inside. Deep inside yourself and deep inside others.
To open your “inside” eyes, look deeper. Look deeper
at people and situations… look longer… see past the
surface. When you view the world through your inside
eyes, you will see more than you ever expected and
creative pathways will begin opening that you never
knew existed.

Everyone is creative and is capable of finding creativity

and inspiration within themselves. Just be willing to
take some of these simple steps to bring it out.

Affirmations to help boost your creativity:

(1) Creativity lives inside of me & I tap into it
whenever I choose.
(2) I make time for creative activity everyday.
(3) I commit to putting myself in environments that
stimulate my creativity.
50 SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E
 Simplify your life -
chic vintage-inspired dresses

SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E 51
W e are all born creative, and yet as we get older many of us tend to forget that. In this
world of ‘froth and bubble’, our creative natures are devalued (unless they are bringing
in a profit!) and even then, the act of tying monetary value to creativity is often the
death knell of inspiration.

If we could only get back to our childhood, when everything was so simple and our acts of
creation were not judged as a waste of time or deemed either worthy or unworthy.

Well the good news is, we can! And looking into one’s Sun Sign is the perfect place to begin
our exploration of what lights us up creatively. Every Sun Sign has her own creative spark, an
arena in which she feels most comfortable and at ease in her creations.

There was said to be a sign above the entrance to the Oracle of Delphi – it read “Tempet nosce”
- “Know thyself ”. Astrology affords a unique view into your inner world, where the planets and
signs are archetypal signposts to the riches of human experience.

There’s a lot of information that can be gleaned from the Sun sign alone, however if you really
want to know what your Creativity Quotient is, then you need to consider other points in the
chart such as the position and aspects of Venus, the Part of Fortune, the Fifth House and the
house that contains Leo.

by Estelle Williams

12 S IGNS
O F CREAT I V I T Y
Estelle is the Founder & Editor of
Smart Healthy Women Mag. She
is an expert Coach, Author and
Speaker, who has also studied
Humanistic Astrology over the last
25 years. She is passionate about
providing her clientele and readers
with successful strategies for
realising a life of purpose, meaning
and fulfilment using the best in
change tools, and believes that by
reaching their potential, everyone
can make the world a better place.
She loves to share strategies to
enhance the many facets of the busy
woman’s life, and has also been
seen on the Huffington Post and
SheSavvy sharing her insights.

52 SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E
 ARIES
MARCH 21-APRIL 20
CARDINAL FIRE ~ RULED BY MARS

The Ram is one of the mavericks of the Zodiac. So

when it comes to creativity, she is an artistic pioneer
in what is often not considered to be classical
creativity. She is brave in her creative choices and her
vision for bringing in the new breath of air that will
ignite the world. She can sometimes be impetuous
in her choices, but she is never boring.

TAURUS
APRIL 21-MAY 21
FIXED EARTH ~ RULED BY VENUS

The Taurus girl has a natural affinity with artistic

good taste, as her ruling planet is Venus, who rules
all things tasteful and aesthetic. Her Earthy nature
sees her excel in tangible creations, whether it be
in clay, textiles or even in the garden – for even a
garden can be a work of art. Her creations are well-
considered, beautiful, often tactile and very valuable.

GEMINI
MAY 22-JUNE 20
MUTABLE AIR ~ RULED BY MERCURY

Touched by the quicksilver Mercury, the girl born

under the sign of the Twins is creative in a surprising,
exciting way. She is on top of the latest trends and
knows what works and what doesn’t. She will set
the trends and never follow them, and will always
have more than one project on the go. She needs to
be conscious of not leaving projects unfinished as
she is off chasing the next bright shiny object.
 CANCER
JUNE 21-JULY 22
CARDINAL WATER ~ RULED BY THE MOON

The girl born under the sign of the Crab is highly

intuitive and so her creative abilities reflect her
connection with the deep emotions. Since art is highly
subjective and demands an emotional response,
her visionary style is likely to remind one of home
in a comforting and nourishing way. She needs to
seclude herself in a private environment to bring her
creations to the light.

LEO
JULY 23-AUGUST 22
FIXED FIRE ~ RULED BY THE SUN

Leo rules the fifth house in the zodiac, which is the

house of creativity and childlike enthusiasm, among
other things. She is most at home in the spotlight
and so her creativity more often takes the form of
the performing arts, music, comedy, theatre and any
avenue that provides immediate feedback from an
audience, on which she thrives.

VIRGO
AUGUST 23-SEPTEMBER 22
MUTABLE EARTH ~ RULED BY MERCURY

The Virgin is the creator of tangible value, and her

creativity, while often mostly internalised, is of the
highest order. Being conscious of only offering the
best of herself via her creations, more often than not
her creations do not see the light of day, at least not
until she has put the final finishing touches on her
work. She lives to serve through her art, so there will
always be intrinsic value to her output.

54 SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E
 LIBRA
SEPTEMBER 23-OCTOBER 22
CARDINAL AIR ~ RULED BY VENUS

The Libran lady is under the rulership of the divine

Venus, and so she is the epitome of good taste in
everything. Her creative side is pleasing on many
levels, it involves natural balance and style. You
may find her on an arts committee or otherwise
collaborating with other creatives or in some
community based projects. She thrives in artistic
partnerships.

SCORPIO
OCTOBER 23-NOVEMBER 21
FIXED WATER ~ RULED BY PLUTO

The Scorpion’s creative mode is often dark and

obscure. She loves to work alone and explore her
emotional depths through her art. She pours all of
her feelings (both light and dark) out in her creations
and there is always more than one level of meaning
that can be gleaned by their contemplation. Being
a fixed sign, her creativity is unshakeable and solid.

SAGITTARIUS
NOVEMBER 22-DECEMBER 21
MUTABLE FIRE ~ RULED BY JUPITER

The Sagittarian has a creative vision that stretches

far and wide. She is not tied to one mode of artistic
expression, and her style is often eclectic, primal
and lively. She loves to explore the art of other
cultures, and involve aspects of these in her own
works. She is also a natural teacher and can be
found creatively engaged in universities, museums
and in cultural exchange programs.

SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E 55
 CAPRICORN
DECEMBER 22-JANUARY 20
CARDINAL EARTH ~ RULED BY SATURN

The Capricorn girl is most comfortable expressing

her artistic nature in respect to the past –and she
has a fine appreciation of creative masters whether
in painting, music or sculpture. When she turns
her own hand expressing herself it is often later in
life and appreciates recognition for her efforts. This
means you will probably not see all of her artistic
output since she only wants to show her best side.

AQUARIUS
JANUARY 20-FEBRUARY 18
FIXED AIR ~ RULED BY URANUS

The Aquarian is connected to the future and

innovation, so expect her creative tastes to run to
modern artistic mediums. She loves the connection
she feels from modern art galleries and the
intellectual stimulation from contemplating the
novelty of fresh ideas and their implementation.
She enjoys being involved in creative groups and
community programs, and enjoys art for art’s sake.

PISCES
FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 20
MUTABLE WATER ~ RULED BY NEPTUNE

Our Piscean girl’s emotions run as wide and as deep

as the ocean currents, and her artistic appreciation
and tastes run just as far. She is one who really feels
her art and she knows immediately which artistic
mediums speak to her and which leave her cold.
She cannot articulate which style is her creative
preference until she can feel it and transmute it and
then she can present it to the masses where it is
universally adopted and absorbed.

56 SM ART H EALTH Y W O M E N M A G A Z I N E
Copyright © 2018 Smart Healthy Women Magazine. All rights reserved.