Remember your friend? No, not the one from school or down the street. The one that nobody else could see. The one where all your creative ideas and stories were shared. One day you found yourself in your backyard behind the bushes talking about far away lands and the next your running around playing tag.

It is at our young age where we were still considered innocent. Our minds untouched by the every day stresses of life, bills and responsibility. You may be asking yourself ok so what is the point? The point is we forget. For many of us we forget about our imaginary friends because we are told to grow up. But the truth is that these imaginary friends, or our imagination are needed now more then ever.

Regardless of what industry you are in, it is your imagination that helps you develop and grow. When you are needing a break or a fresh perspective, that is the time to turn to your imagination and go on your “trip”. When you return your mind is fresh and your project makes much more sense to you.

Writers, creative writers use a concept board to help jiggle their creative juices. It is as simple as taking a piece of paper and writing a bunch of words on it. Pretty simple right? Just remember to not bother a writer when you see them writing on a tablet or tapping away on their laptop.

So here are my recommendations to help bring out your imagination:

1. Go on a swing
2. Look at old photos of yourself as a child
3. Read a few books from your childhood
4. Watch a GOOD cartoon
5. Talk to your imaginary friend
6. Take one wall and make it your canvas.

(Oh yeah the photo. That is me at age 4 with my imaginary friends. I hang it on the wall of my living room to help me remember.)