Creativity isn't reserved for artists and inventors -- it's a capacity we all share.

For some, it's a desire for self-expression; for others, a drive to explore possibilities.

Genius isn't essential, just curiosity and an open mind. The fruit of creativity is self-discovery. Find a quiet spot and consider these questions:

1  There are many kinds of artists. Are you an artist of life -- an inspired cook, a master of diplomacy, a stylish dresser? Write down all the ways you bring beauty, harmony, or flair to your surroundings.

2  What art form would you try if you didn't care about results or your performance?

Think back to childhood: Did you enjoy ballet class or banging on a drum?

How could you reconnect with that sense of fun?

3  Creative people are problem solvers. If you could clear up any issue in the world -- or your world -- what would it be? What would be your first step?

4  Is your talent appreciating the creative efforts of others? What do you most enjoy looking at or listening to? Would you enjoy it even more if you tried to experience the artistic process firsthand?

5  Envy is a message from your creative core. Whose talent would you like to have?

How could you develop your own ability in that area?

  << from O, The Oprah Magazine, November, 2001

1  Do you think of yourself as a creative person? If you do, why? If you don't, why not?

2  Do you feel that your maturation as a person has been related in any close way to the maturation of your creative abilities and commitments? Do you grow through your work?

3  What about the act of creation itself? Can you recall some piece of work that meant a lot to you? Try to describe it in detail.

4  In retrospect, did you become aware of anything going on in you that at the time of creation you were unaware of? Think of examples of such periods: what was going on in your life or in your thinking about your work at that time?

5  Are there ebbs and flows in your creativity? Are you suddenly full of ideas, or suddenly without an idea at all?

What might cause a sudden spurt of creativity, or a long period of drought? 

What in particular was going on in your life that you may have been unaware of at the time but in retrospect was highly important in your creative effort? 

When do you consider the work "finished"? When your work is "finished" do you feel finished with it? How do you feel at the end? 

Are you most productive when you are feeling happy? Do you suffer if you are not?

6  Is there something creative that you are putting off doing? Do you expect to get to it? What is it? Why must you delay?

Are you a good problem solver?   Can you concentrate for long periods of time?

Are you perfectionistic?   Do you persevere with your interests?

Are you an avid reader?   Do you have a vivid imagination?

Do you enjoy doing jigsaw puzzles?   Often connect seemingly unrelated ideas?

Do you enjoy paradoxes?   Do you set high standards for yourself?

....Now, Discover Your Strengths
by Marcus Buckingham, Donald O. Clifton

from review by Susan Dunn, Emotional Intelligence coach: <site>
-- in her newsletter, Sep 10 2003 :

These two management experts propose the theory that if you work in your strength areas, you can perform consistently and effortlessly at a near perfect level and find great satisfaction without a whole lot of stress. 

Sounds like heaven on earth, doesn't it? Well, here are some ways to discover your strengths. 

Talents + skill + knowledge = strengths. 

So how can you figure out your innate talents are? You can buy their book and take the StrengthsFinders profile. It will give you your top 5 signature themes and they're such things as: Achiever, Self-assurance, Relator, Empathy, Focus, Analytical or Strategic.

They're ways of approaching life rather than qualities such as "courage" or "bravery," or fields of knowledge such as "math" or "English," or particular talents, such as "writing" or "singing." 

You can also: 

1. Think about what you liked to do as a child. Talents are innate; they appear early. ...

2. Ask your parents what you liked to do as a child. ...

3. Keep in mind that your parents were human, and they had their own "issues." For instance, I have a client whose father thought he shouldn't be a minister, and degraded all his natural talents for ministry. It's hard to buck such parental pressure. However, you always get a second chance!

4. Parents can't recognize what they don't know. A mathematical genius born to two English majors may never get reinforcement for his talents, no affirmation and no guidance. As an adult, you can do this for yourself.

5. Think about what you like to do when you have a choice. What do you do in your spare time? What do you do on Sunday afternoon?