Creative inspiration is a basic need!

Having talked with a few left-brain types in my day, I know we all crave inspiration and creativity, when we stop to think about it! I think we need a creative outlet or source of stimulation in order to avoid left-brain burn-out.

But many people hesitate to take up a creative activity because they "won't be any good at it". They are perfectionists, or recovering perfectionists like me.

Nobody is good at anything when they first start; anything takes practice to improve. So the deal is: just start! Besides, being good is not actually the point. The point is to stimulate our right brain hemispheres.

This painting is my fourth--the third is underneath the paint of it. The inspiration was to use up some leftover wall paint so I would not have to figure out how to dispose of it in compliance with environmental regulations.

You see it in situ; it is one of 3 paintings in my house in various shades of blue, purple, white and brown. That was the end of the left-over wall paint!

Midge at Lipstick and Legalese is also a fan of creative activities. See her post on shrinkies today.

Basic Techniques for Building Rapport

Dummies UK site (click on title) provides the article below, adapted from the book, Neurolinguistics for Dummies.

Seven quick ways to sharpen your rapport

For starters, try some immediate ways to begin building rapport:

* Take a genuine interest in getting to know what's important to the other person. Start to understand them rather than expecting them to understand you first.
* Pick up on the key words, favourite phrases and way of speaking that someone uses and build these subtly into your own conversation.
* Notice how someone likes to handle information. Do they like lots of details or just the big picture? As you speak, feed back information in this same portion size.
* Breathe in unison with them.
* Look out for the other person's intention — their underlying aim — rather than what they do or say. They may not always get it right, but expect their heart to lie in the right place.
* Adopt a similar stance to them in terms of your body language, gestures, voice tone and speed.
* Respect the other person's time, energy, favourite people and money. They will be important resources for them.