So What Happened!!! Career Complacency Hurts

So What Happened!!! Career Complacency Hurts So What Happened????!!! Career Complacency Hurts Something I hear a lot from job seekers recently is that they have never (ever) had to actually look for a job before.  They sound completely shocked. And hurt, too. And I’ll actually say it: They sound like they’ve experienced a loss of entitlement. So what happened? The problem isn’t that they either left a job, lost a job, or got laid off. The magic “ingredient” is much bigger than the fact that they are no longer working at the company. The truth is that many people become completely complacent about building their career while they are actually working. Are they keeping their networks vibrant and up-to-date? Are they adding new contacts and cultivating authentic relationships? Have they kept up on their on-the-job knowledge? Are they still members of key industry organizations? Are they engaged and involved as a volunteer? We all know the answer to this one… “I got too busy.” Unfortunately, this is not an excuse. Look at the people who are most successful in their careers, and you’ll see busy professionals who continue to balance all of these factors in addition to getting their jobs done. Today’s economy does not invite complacency; it requires personal advocacy. The “What happened?” question really lies within yourself. What happened is that you allowed yourself to get consumed by work and eventually forget to take care of yourself and nurture the seeds that will allow your career to grow… and that means tending to the garden of networking contacts to keep those crops flowering. Instead, they dried up; neglected. This isn’t easy to hear, but every time I ask clients what they have done to keep their personal career advocacy in motion while they’ve been on the job, the answer is the same every time. Again, they got too busy. What are YOU doing to push your envelope? How many people have you met this week? How are you keeping yourself relevant? Where are you building your leadership skills? All it takes is setting forth some goals to keep these areas active â€" then executing. Your career co-exists quietly and consistently alongside your actual job… it’s what you do to keep it going and active that matters in the long run. And if you do, then you won’t be asking questions like “What happened?” because you have already bypassed the complacency and replaced it with advocacy. Photo By Rodrigomorante (Own work) [CC-BY-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Smart Career Resources For Tough Times

Smart Career Resources For Tough Times We never thought it would get this bad. Words from one employee affected by the changes that are hitting Wall Street this week.Most are in shock but realize action is necessary to weather the storm effectively. If you are looking for support and advice, here are sites Ive found useful: Collection of career advice from expert career coaches and authors Free career how-to videos on finding a job during tough times, landing a recession-proof job and acing a job interview Tips from the NYTimes.com if youre Out of Work on Wall StreetMy advice, take this as a wake up call focus on your passion and your unique strengths and the money will follow. And I walk the talk.I made it through the Andersen debacle by doing a soul search BEFORE the job search with the help of career coaching. I found the process so helpful, I got certified as a coach and started helping all my Andersen friends with their careers. Now 7 years later, Im my own boss helping people get out of the rat race and into career s they would do for free (but get paid well to do.)Its your turn to take control of your career and find opportunity in challenge.Join the conversation with your comments and lets all get through this together. What are your thoughts on whats happening on Wall Street? What advice you want to share for those impacted?

12 Worst Things About Being Pregnant at Work

12 Worst Things About Being Pregnant at Work Being pregnant is awesome. Feeling those little flutters and kicks is the most amazing thing in the world and, at times, have moved me to tears. Being pregnant at work, though? That sucks. At least, like 99% of the time. At least once, itll probably move you to tears as well. Here are some of the worst things you’ll deal with while being pregnant at work â€" and how to deal with them. 1. Morning Sickness Feeling nauseous or throwing up in the morning is a completely normal part of pregnancy. That doesn’t make any more fun, though. Even when dealing with it at home, morning sickness can be a nuisance. Having to deal with it at work can be downright irritating. Can you make it to the bathroom in time? How nasty are these toilets really? What do I do if I throw up in a trash can? Did everyone hear/see/smell that? Not the questions you want to be asking yourself at work, am I right? To help combat morning sickness, try eating small portions often. It seems counterintuitive to eat when your stomach is upset, but having an empty stomach will make your morning sickness worse. Also, drink plenty of fluids and try using ginger in a variety of ways to relieve your symptoms. My favorite was Tazo Green Ginger tea or Stash Lemon Ginger tea with a couple honey graham crackers. That combo got me through many mornings/afternoons and pretty much saved my life before meetings where I couldnt look like I was going to die at any given moment. 2. Keeping Your Pregnancy Hidden If you’ve decided to keep your pregnancy from your coworkers for whatever reason, it may be difficult to keep up the charade. If you experience morning sickness, they may notice you running to the bathroom multiple times a day and get suspicious. (Or you know, running to the bathroom to pee a million times a day.) You may also feel incredibly exhausted and unable to focus, which could start the rumor mill turning. While it’s completely up to you when and if you want to divulge personal information to your coworkers, keep in mind that telling at least your supervisor or boss could get you some work concessions, which may make your work day easier to endure. As for everyone else? Don’t be afraid to tell them ever-so-politely that it’s not their business (if any of them are brazen enough to ask). 3. Pregnancy Brain Being forgetful is a normal part of pregnancy â€" and it can even have an impact after you’ve had your baby. For ways to cope with not remembering what tasks you have to do at work, write yourself notes and keep a detailed calendar. Make sure you stock up on Post-it notes and keep them handy as well, and don’t be afraid to put them wherever they’ll be the most effective. Take comfort in knowing that after you become a mom, you’ll actually be more productive at work. 4. A Heightened Sense of Smell Pregnancy hormones are such wonderful things, and they have the ability to heighten your sense of smell. This, of course, can make scents that you used to enjoy nauseating, which can impact how you feel throughout the day. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to control all the scents that happen at work, but if you know certain fragrances impact you, do your best to avoid them. You may even consider asking coworkers to refrain from eating particularly stinky foods at their desk until you get over your smell sensitivity. And if your desk-mate takes two hours to eat her salmon at her desk (true story), try grabbing some coffee beans or grounds in a cup to keep at your desk. Take a whiff to reset your senses when you can’t stand it any longer. Blessed enough to have a laptop? Reserve a conference room over lunch if you find that coworkers eating at nearby desks leaves you feeling queasy. 5. Maintaining Your Body Temperature Studies have shown that women’s body temperature can rise a half a degree to one degree during pregnancy. Being hot in and of itself is incredibly uncomfortable, but it also means that you’ll sweat more and be less focused. To ensure comfort, drink lots of water during the day and wear comfortable and cool clothing. Even if your work is air conditioned, you may consider having a personal fan to keep you even cooler. 6. Being Asked Personal Questions If and when your coworkers find out about your pregnancy, they may be curious about what you’re experiencing â€" from morning sickness to weight gain to what you’re having to what you’re going to name the baby. They may even want to feel the baby move the farther along in the pregnancy you get. It’s up to you to decide what questions you want to answer and how much touching you want your coworkers to do. Be kind when drawing the line, but do what makes you comfortable. 7. Going to the Bathroom Regularly The farther you progress during your pregnancy, the more things get squished, and the more you’ll have to go to the bathroom. Try to plan your day and meetings with this in mind so you can stay comfortable. (Read: don’t schedule two-hour long meetings, ever.) Getting up frequently is so beneficial for your pregnant body so take your time getting back to your desk after your bathroom break so you can stretch your legs. If you can make it to a bathroom that’s not the closest to you, make the trek so you can get a few extra steps or an extra flight of stairs. 8. Always Being Exhausted Your body is going through a lot. It’s creating new life, and that takes its toll. To help combat being tired, take plenty of breaks to regain focus. Throughout the day, take breaks to regain some energy. Try: Taking a walk Drinking a cold glass of water Eating an apple as your snack If you can, find times during the day to take quick naps â€" perhaps on your lunch break â€" and make sure to get to bed early so you’re getting enough rest. 9. Standing or Sitting All Day Being in one position for extended periods of time isn’t good for our bodies, so if you sit all day, it will have an impact. Standing all day isn’t a great alternative, though, especially for pregnant women with swelling feet. To help alleviate these impacts, get up and move throughout the day. If your job requires you to stand for extended periods, ask if it’s possible to sit for short times throughout the day. Most companies are legally required to oblige such requests. 10. Being in Pain Being pregnant puts a lot of strain and stress on your body, and as you progress through the pregnancy and get bigger, there is more strain. Your muscles will ache, your back will hurt, and your feet will more than likely swell. To feel better, find ways throughout the day to put your feet up and to relieve the strain on your back and other joints. Despite frequent breaks, my back ached and my tailbone felt perpetually bruised from the pressure. I finally gave in and got a chair pad for my seat after weeks of pain and consider it one of the best purchases I’ve made thus far. 11. Making Time for Appointments Your OBGYN will monitor you throughout your pregnancy, and the closer you get to your due date, the more appointments you’ll have. This will impact your work day since you’ll have to leave work to be seen by your doctor. Knowing in advance when your appointments will be and planning around that schedule will help so you can still be productive at work. If you’re finding that you need special arrangements â€" like working from home for an appointment or using flex time â€" it doesn’t hurt to ask your boss. 12. Worrying Something Will Go Wrong It’s completely natural to worry about what will happen during your pregnancy and what could potentially go wrong. You may also fear going into labor while at work. To help allay the fear of your water breaking on your office chair, keep a thick pad with you, along with a change of clothes. However, keep in mind very few women actually have their water break before labor begins. Even if you are one of these women, you’ll have plenty of time to get to the hospital before your baby arrives. Getting ready to bring a baby into the world can be an exciting and emotional experience. After all, you’ve created life, and you are sustaining and nurturing it in your body. It’s a big change but one that you can handle. If you’re working, you face a whole new set of challenges while being pregnant, but with a little information and preparation, you’ll be able to overcome those obstacles too. What are some other things you’ve had to deal with while being pregnant at work? Share them in the comments below and subscribe for more useful work tips and advice! Get everything you need to build a career you love by signing up for the newsletter.

Resume Writing Service North County San Diego - the Conspiracy

Resume Writing Service North County San Diego - the Conspiracy The Argument About Resume Writing Service North County San Diego The growth in violent crime was due to a growth in robberies. The gain in property crime was due to a growth in larceny theft and automobile thefts. It was due to an increase in larceny thefts. The rise in the violent crime rate resulted from an increase in robberies. Resume Writing Service North County San Diego at a Glance Regardless of what genre you would like Business Studies, Microeconomics, Business Management and Financial Accounting, we're here to serve your requirements. Our services are supplied by professional resume writers experienced preparing resumes for a huge collection of industries, sectors and career places. Our writers also undergo a string of other training that could truly convince us they are ideal for the job. It's only normal to be anxious about hiring an on-line essay writer since you can't ever be sure whether you are employing the proper service or not. When you receive a task done from us you will return again if you need assistance with another one of your essays. So for those who have an essay assigned that you will need help with, you can purchase essay online cheap from us. The type of essay you're looking for will be offered to you within the deadline offered to you. Browsing our essay writing samples can provide you a sense whether the standard of our essays is the quality you're looking for. Resume will be supplied a civilian job of individuals consider our mission. If you're open to several forms of jobs, let us know. Webtech gives the MOST AFFORDABLE Resume Writing Service that's GUARANTEED to satisfy every customer, get the job that you desire and boost your salary! Experience List your latest jobs. A strategic job search plan Make an excellent first impression with our custom made cover letter support. You will love our work. If you don't require a big overhaul, we migh t be in a position to quote an editing fee. Below you will discover a couple of lists on all the top-rated resume writing services we could find. You don't need to be worried about having a resume writer who's unaware of the role that you're applying for. Wherever you're in your career, we're here to assist. It's not their fault they can't write. In contrast to the considerable next stage of the last price tag of. Resume Writing Service North County San Diego Fundamentals Explained The cost of an essay rides on the quantity of effort the writer has to exert. Citations and extracts from assorted sources have to be formatted properly. You will work with a resume writer who's qualified to compose the document that is most suitable for your requirements. One, we apply an extremely careful range of our writers. The Key to Successful Resume Writing Service North County San Diego Who knew essay writing might be so tough. If you fret about the standard of your essay as well as you're worrying about whether you can discover a paper writer it is possible to trust, you have arrived at the perfect location. So should you need to employ college essay writer online, we're just the people that you will need to contact. Writing is a present that comes naturally. The Foolproof Resume Writing Service North County San Diego Strategy Because of its warm climate and major attractions, San Diego is thought to be one of the greatest tourist destinations on earth. Finding the very best San Antonio resume writer can be hard. Some of the biggest industries that employ over a quarter of the full nation's work force can be found in San Diego. Not only is San Diego one of the biggest cities in the nation, but it's also one of the quickest growing ones, mainly as a result of immigration.

Top Resume Writing Verbage Guide!

Top Resume Writing Verbage Guide! Our resume builder gives you tips and examples on how best to compose your resume summary. Resume Wording Keyword Tips Resume keywords can be particularly important and are a crucial part of expert quality resume wording. Importance of Resume wording Resume wording is a significant aspect to think about when constructing a resume. A cover letter is a way to reveal your nature and your creative side. Obviously, becoming an expert resume writer is a process which requires a lot of patience and dedication. There are two or three routes you may take with resume writing. Nothing differs in the event of deciding upon the resume writing service. Resume Writing Verbage - What Is It? Hiring managers will need to scan your resume and discover the information that they need in record time so that they are able to move on to the next resume. Resume Writing Services are efficient resource for having a decent resumes as application for those jobs. Ne edless to say, it's much important to find the assistance of some expert writer to prepare the finest federal resume because the demands of federal resume are much different than resume required for private job. The majority of the resumes writing services don't provide the chance of direct contact by making use of their writers. Resume action verbs may have a constructive and memorable influence on the reader's memory. Be sure that your set of skills makes a detailed picture of a person that the employer in question is really going to need to employ. For example, if you submit an application for a Chinese-English interpreting job, you ought to be fluent in both languages otherwise you would just not qualify for the position. Irrespective of the style or format you choose to choose, don't neglect to adhere to all the basic resume writing best practices, including using lots of action verbs and focusing on what you can do to help the organization and not what the firm can do fo r you. In reality, candidates know well that what kind of information ought to be written in the resume so they could justify that data in the interview. Below, you will locate a list of resume examples that may assist you with your work search. Since resumes are for the most part digitally sent, there's absolutely no need to have a printout and sign the resume.

How to Modify and Maximize Your Resume Template

How to Modify and Maximize Your Resume TemplateHow to Modify and Maximize your Resume TemplateJuly 6, 2015 By Mark Slack, CPRW Should you use a resume schablone? If you follow career advice on the Internet, youve probably read conflicting information about whether its acceptable to use a schablone, or if you should create your own.Make a Resume in MinutesThere are two sides to this debateYes, its ok to use a resume schablone because its efficient and hiring managers dont care, andNo, its not ok because hiring managers will recognize the template and judge you as being lazy and unoriginal.Lets get one thing out of the way first argument number 1 is truer than number 2 heres why.Hiring managers are not beauty pageant judgesHiring managers are paid to judge you as a candidate for a specific job role, not judge whether your template is unique or original.Donald Trump is the only person on earth who actually does both judge resumes and beauty pageants.The resume is merely a vessel for c onveying information selling you as perfect for that job role. Provided that your resume template is clear and well organized, it is the information on the resume that is important, not whether its conveyed aesthetically in an original way.Only an incompetent hiring manager would reject a perfect candidate for a job role simply because the applicant used a Microsoft Word resume template.Now, while argument number 1 is truer, argument number 2 also has some merit that must be acknowledged and this part is especially relevant for college students.Where the resume template needs workWhile downloading a resume template is perfectly acceptable, there are template modifications you can make that will maximize the impact of your resume and help you land more interview.Example College StudentsA lack of work experience can make resume writing very difficult.The average college student is lacking in real job experience. Many have none whatsoever, and others may have had some internship roles or summer gigs. The problem? In general, resume templates are designed for professionals who already have solid work experiences.Heres the crux of the issue because of the lack of work experience, a downloaded resume template may not be the best vessel to convey information for college students. College students may need to modify the template in order to package their experiences in a way that emphasizes their professionalism in an academic setting.So heres what it comes down to for college studentsYes, by all means, download a resume template. Its efficient and they look good.And yes, by all means, modify the template to better convey your experiences as a college student.If the template is the aesthetic shell of a car, the modifications youll make are to the engine. But what modifications should college students make?Put the Education section firstIf the resume template youve downloaded starts with a Professional Profile Qualifications Summary or some other introductory section, consider eliminating it and moving the Education section to the top. For more info, you can read our article on how to start a resume.As a college student, your academic credentials are the most important part of your resume. Given that you have little to no professional experience to speak of, giving yourself a Professional Profile would be a stretch.Create a Major Achievements sectionWhat major achievements from college can you put on your resume?College students with little to no work experience are often at a loss for how to fill up an entire page for a resume. One way is to create a Major Achievements section that serves the same functional purpose as the Work Experience section on a professionals resume.In this section, you can add bullet points about your academic and life achievements, provided they are relevant to the job you are applying for.Example 1 If you were a part of your campus newspaper or magazine, you would treat it like a real job. Include the name of the publi cation, the dates you worked on it, your position, and write bullet points indicating your biggest achievements and contributions.Example 2 If you were in student government, include your position, the dates you served, and write bullet points indicating your biggest achievements and contributions.This strategy can be applied to any club or organization you participated in during college.Note If you also had work experience, you can include both sections, with an emphasis on whichever experiences are most relevant to the job you are applying for.ConclusionWith some slight modifications, downloading a resume template is a perfectly acceptable way for busy college students to save time. Again, a good resume template is one that conveys information clearly a function of font size, font style, use of white space, use of bolding, italics, and underlines, and margins.Save yourself a headache, download a resume template, and make necessary cosmetic changes to give yourself a boost over yo ur competition. We also highly recommend using our acclaimed resume builder, which will automatically format your job descriptions onto our famous templates, and allow you to make easy modifications.

5 Creative Thinking Methods That Can Help You Make Better Decisions

5 Creative Thinking Methods That Can Help You Make Better Decisions Coco Chanel welches the first designer to use jersey in her fashions.At the time, jersey welches an inexpensive fabric used only for mens underwear. Chanel had faced difficult circumstances early in her life and elected to use jersey to make womens clothes because it was inexpensive. With mora expensive fabrics being rationed during World War I, Chanel purchased the material at a low cost and used the comfortable, functional fabric in her designs. She became known for her practical clothing line, ultimately revolutionizing the face of fashion forever.This is just one example of a creative thinker who used problem-solving to change herand the course of history. And shes not the only one. Creative thinking is a skill that can get you far in the workplace and in life.What are creative thinking and critical thinking?Creative thinking involves tackling projects, plans, problems, or obstacles through fresh and unorthodox m ethods and ideasin other words, thinking outside the box, or divergent thinking, the opposite of convergent thinking. You may be familiar with the term critical thinking, which is more analytical in that it concerns the evaluation of existing ideas, rather than the creation of new ones.What is lateral thinking?While not necessarily synonymous with creative thinking, lateral thinking is one well-known creative-thinking method in which people use logic and reasoning to perceive patterns and find solutions that are not immediately obvious. Edward de Bono coined the term in 1967, noting that it describes the process of using complex problem-solving skills to find a solution, rather the product itself. Lateral thinking distinguishes itself from vertical thinking, the more traditional, step-by-step method of problem-solving.The classic example de Bono used was that of the Judgement of Solomon. In this tale, King Solomon was charged with settling a dispute between two women claiming to be the mother of a child. Using lateral thinking, Solomon offered to cut the baby in half and give each woman one half. This ruling revealed the truth of the matter while one woman accepted the terms, the other begged Solomon to give the baby to her rival to avoid harming the child, thus revealing herself to be the true mother. A true indication of lateral thinking, the solution is on its surface is deceptively simple, while its development process involves complex thinking skills.What are creative thinking skills?You dont need to be in a creative discipline such as visual or performing arts to employ creative thinking skills. While thinking creatively can certainly help you in artsy professions, you can apply the process to a wide range of industries and positions. Consider behauptung examples of creative thinking Ancient Greek Orator Demosthenes was mocked and jeered the first time he gave a speech in public. To hone his skills, he practiced with a mouthful of stones. He would retrea t to a cave to practice for months at a time, and shaved one side of his head to prevent himself from leaving the cave, knowing that he would be laughed at if he did. Although it doesnt landseem like a bold idea now, Mary Wollstonecraft was one of the first thinkers to refute the notion that men were superior to women. In her most famous work, A Vindication to the Rights of Women, published in 1792, Wollstonecraft argued that women only appeared to be unten liegend to men because they lacked the education that men enjoyed. She envisioned a social order in which women and men were treated as equal, rational human beings. Wollstonecraft, who was also notably the mother of Mary Shelley, ne Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, is widely considered one of the founding feminist philosophers.What are the benefits of creative thinking?Creative thinking is integral to the problem-solving process. Employing creative thinking at work can make you a valuable team member since youll generate ideas the co mpany can use.Thinking creatively can also enable you to develop ideas that might lead you to come up with new neuerungs. Many great thinkers and entrepreneurs are or were creative thinkers who went independent routes and made some of the greatest discoveries and inventions of all time Marie Curie, Steve Jobs, Nikola Tesla, Ada Lovelacethe list is endless. While many of these genius innovators had unorthodox ideas and methods that seemed odd to their contemporaries, their results speak for themselves they made the modern world what it is.How do you develop creative thinking?Employing creative ideas can take you far in your career. If this talent doesnt come naturally to you, there are several techniques you can use to train yourself and others to employ creativity in their work processes.1. Brainstorm ideas.Brainstorming sessions can go a long way in generating ideas. They can be especially effective if you have a large team because youll be able to generate more ideas. Make sure to include all members of the group or team, even people who arent directly involved in the project or whose jobs dont usually entail problem-solving. These members could have unique insights because theyre coming from different perspectives and may have different ways of approaching the problem from your usual methods.How to startWhen you gather a group to brainstorm ideas, establish some ground rules. Some typical rules include allowing everyone to have a say, valuing all ideas equally (although you probably cant proceed with every single one, you should write down every idea that team members voice), and avoiding any criticism or disparaging of individual ideas.Youll also want to follow some crucial steps and techniques to ensure that the brainstorming sessions are productive. Establish the purpose for the session and explain why youre looking for new ideas. You might want to ask some open-ended questions to get everyones creative juices flowing. Dont come in knowing youre probably going to follow an idea you previously developed, or youre just wasting everyones time. You could also be missing out on the larger groups creativity and innovation other people might have important thoughts to contribute. Once you gather the group, you might ask that every person offers an initial idea and encourage everyone to speak up. You also might record ideas on a large whiteboard or piece of paper, writing down everyones contribution to demonstrate that all ideas are valuable.Through brainstorming, youll be able to produce many different ideas and will ultimately be able to choose the ones that seem most appropriate for your project.2. Role-play scenarios.Role-playing is a common training method in the military and emergency response groups. Some businesses have begun using the method to train new employees as well.Role-playing doesnt need to be limited to new employees, though. When you act out different situations and scenarios, you may develop new ways of looking at an i ssue and come up with potential solutions. Youll also help team members develop confidence and become more comfortable when dealing with unfamiliar situations since theyll need to respond quickly and think on their feet.Role-playing involves two or more members of a group acting out a situation. It might concern dealing with a new client, giving a presentation, interviewing, or resolving conflicts. Essentially, you can role-play any situation that might be difficult and improved with rehearsal.When people are able to role-play a scenario before encountering the situation in real life, theyll have some practice developing resolutions quickly on their feet. You can also view the scenario in a different way and up with unique ways of solving problems.How to startWhen beginning a role-play scenario, start by explaining the task and what you hope to gain from the session. Introduce the problem and describe why role-playing might help, so people in the group will start considering how the yll approach it. Make it clear that you and other members of the team arent here to judge approaches instead, you want the group to develop solutions and ways of handling different scenarios that might occur in their work. Assign roles and act out the situation.After the role-playing session, debrief. Have the group members discuss what went well and what could be improved. If the goal of the session is to come up with new ideas for a project or situation, you might write down the various ideas people contribute.3. Reframe the issue.Reframing a problem or situation can help you reinterpret it. When you present the issue in a new way, youll open up different possibilities for how people react, feel, and examine the situation, which can ultimately lead to new solutions. Consider alternative meanings, contexts, and perspectives for the situation at hand. Also, think about what the problem can teach you. Once youve examined these different angles, you might see the situation in a new li ght and discover a new approach.You might ask others to reframe the issue for you as well. This can increase the number of angles from which youll be able to consider the problem and potential solutions.4. Make the most of creative flow.When you become completely absorbed in a project to the point at which youre so fully immersed that you dont notice other distractions, youre in a state of creative flow. This state is correlated with strong creative performance, meaning you might produce some of your best ideas when youre immersed in it.While you cant induce flow, since there are actual changes the chemistry and activity of your brain while youre in this state, you can seek out experiences that will cause you to produce your best work. Creative flow occurs when youre deeply involved in an activity that engages you and brings you pleasure, so if youre passionate about a project, youre more likely to find yourself in this state.Creative people make the most of the insights and ideas t hey develop while in a state of creative flow, so it can be an important parte of your creative process. Your thoughts during this state could represent some of your greatest work.5. Stay open-minded and flexible.One consistent quality of creative people is that they tend not to see boundaries where others might boundaries only impede innovation. If youre constantly noticing the limitations of what you can do, you wont be able to develop solutions that are off the beaten path. That is, after all, what it means to think outside the box.Instead of limiting themselves to what the rules allow, people who are innovative thinkers dont see solutions as limited to what can happen within the confines of rules. Instead, they employ creative problem-solving skills to see the possibilities as virtually limitless.If you want to improve your creative process and skills, be open-minded to solutions that may extend beyond the parameters with which youre familiar. Also appreciate the ideas of others , which may involve problem-solving processes that are unfamiliar or atypical for you and your team.6. Keep your ego out of it.You may and likely will encounter setbacks in your career and life. Not all your ideas are going to pan out. What will set you apart is your ability to see failures as temporary, rather than permanent. If you keep trying, youll eventually achieve successyou might just need to find a new approach to achieving it. Bestselling suspense author Mary Higgins Clark received 40 rejection letters over six years before publishing her first short story. Today, the suspense writer is the author of 51 novels, and every one of them has been a bestseller.Also, have the confidence in your ideas and yourself to award credit where credit is due. If a team member or report came up with an idea that led to success, let other people know. Part of being a great leader and thinker is recognizing the accomplishments of others and allowing them to have their moment in the spotlight.