Need to be more creative, get a better job, jumpstart your writing, or pursue your dreams?
Most people believe you’re either born creative or you aren’t, sort of like hitting the artistic jackpot (or not). This isn’t true. Just look at any toddler exploring the world. Everything is new, creative, a learning experience. We’re born creative, but socialization, schooling, work, and other environments that reward conformity and group-think gradually erode our creative birthright.
This is particularly ironic when we consider that 1, 500 CEO’s, recently polled, assert that creativity is a top desired professional quality.
In these workshops we’ll explore what it means to build and live a creative life. We’ll function on the premise that creativity is like a muscle: the more you use it, the stronger it gets. Using Leonardo da Vinci’s 7 principles and journal-keeping style, we’ll return to our senses and creative centers. No art skills beyond stick figures will be required.
What to Expect from the Workshops
1. You’ll identify your creative strengths
2. You’ll obtain a set of skills for accessing your creativity
3. You’ll develop a new way of looking at creativity and the creative process
4. You’ll learn how to banish those creativity-squashing monsters who stand between you and your creative work
5. You’ll come away with specific actions you can take to make your life more creativity-friendly
Workshop I • June 17-July 15th
Includes an exploration of Da Vinci’s 3D approach to life and art, the pursuit of insatiable curiosity, the refinement of the senses, and whole-brain thinking (developing the balance between art and science, logic and imagination). Journals as art and visual word will be employed.
Workshop II July 22- August 19th
Builds on Workshop I but can be taken without Workshop I as a prerequisite. Explores Da Vinci’s systems thinking (interconnectedness), the ability to embrace ambiguity and uncertainty, how to learn from mistakes and become persistent, how to harness your neurobiology, and how to cultivate flexibility and the art of switching perspectives. Journals as art and visual word will be employed.
Basic Course Approach in an Online Classroom
1. Live Online Teaching and group discussion will be offered on Mondays, 8:30-9:30 pm EST. If you cannot make a live online teaching time, you can view the recorded session at a later time.
2. You’ll complete exercises and excursions related to the topic of the week and submit for general discussion to the online classroom. The private online classroom is available at all hours for your access to assignments and commenting.
Your Creative-Genius Workshop Leader
How to Think Like a Creative Genius workshop will be taught by scientist, poet-and-writer, pilot, chocolatier Kathryn Neel.
What Our Workshop Participants Have Said
Brad Grout: I am personally getting so much out of this memoir workshop…you people are AMAZING!
Lane Arnold: I struck gold. An afternoon session of writing poetry is good for the soul. Poetry Workshop is a catalyst to creativity.
Lexanne Leonard: The most important step I’ve taken is to join Tweetspeak’s Poetry Workshop 2013 with Anne Doe Overstreet. I cannot begin to thank Tweetspeak, Anne, and my fellow students for this journey.
What You’ll Need
Most materials for the workshops will be available through the private setting, including:
• exercises and excursions to be completed along the way
• supplementary materials that draw from a wide range of Creativity literature
• a free digital copy of Rumors of Water: Thoughts on Creativity & Writing
You should purchase, before the class begins:
• a copy of How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci
• a large journal
How to Think Like a Creative Genius Workshop I • 4 weeks, $250 • BUY NOW
How to Think Like a Creative Genius Workshop II • 4 weeks, $250 • BUY NOW
How to Think Like a Creative Genius Workshops I & II • 8 weeks, $350 • BUY NOW
Yes! Get a free, sneak-preview digital copy of Claire Burge’s upcoming illustrated book on Creativity, when you take our Creative Genius Workshop!
