1. It is a muscle, not a muse.

Creativity is developed from effort. The more you exercise your creativity, the stronger it becomes.

2. Persistance trumps passion.

Rarely is great creativity accomplished quickly by passionate insight. More often it comes after much deliberation, labor and false starts. Passion is good, but persistence is more dependable.

3. Not everyone can be a genius, but anyone can be better.

I was never good enough to be a starter on my junior high basketball team, but I still play hoops in the driveway with my sons. Few achieve pro status in the world of creativity, but the rest of us can continually improve and learn to not only use the process but enjoy it as well.

4. The most important ingredient is effort.

The next time you hear someone say, “I’m just not creative,” ask them how the know. People often let a perceived lack of ability prevent them from even trying. Reframe creativity to attempts, not just great successes.

5. Tools are everywhere.

The world is a sensory rich environment. You can get fantastic ideas for your work just by paying attention to what’s going on around you. Great writers of dialogue aren’t just making it up; they get their ideas from listening to what lots of different people say. Notice and note the interesting things you hear and see, whether the use of color, a turn of a phrase or a surprising element added to a familiar situation.