Imagination creates possibilities. As Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world.” Sadly much of our educational system was designed around a process of delivering knowledge. In order to “rate” intelligence and skill, students are tested on memory of facts and details. There is no room or reward for imagination. Consequently, surveys show most students leave high school feeling unimaginative.

In the 20th century, there were good reasons imagination was left behind with childhood. In our society of structure and order, there was little room for “loose.” We didn’t want our buildings and bridges built by people allowing a margin of error. Mechanical processes were rigid and unbending. It was the way we built the industrial world. But the world changed and the abilities to imagine and create are 21st century core competencies. A popular survey conducted by IBM of 1,500 CEOs from 60 countries and 33 industries identifies creativity as the “most crucial factor for future success.”

Creativity and imagination go hand in hand. Imagination is the ability to form new images and ideas. It’s the mother of invention. Imagination asks “What if?” One of the jobs of imagination is to “see” in the mind’s eye a situation differently. Solutions to new problems require imagination. We have to imagine in order to move to the next step–creation.

Think of the imagination as a muscle. Just like any muscle, the more you use it, the better it works. You don’t have to act as if you are training for the Iron Man, but the more time you spend working your imagination, the better it gets. And it will begin to spill into areas of your life that have suffered from creative atrophy.

Imagination Workout Tips

Most of us enjoy music, but when was the last time you sat by yourself and listened to music while doing nothing else? Close your eyes and let the music “paint” pictures in your mind’s eye.

Sit in silence. No electronic devices, no music. Nothing. Let your mind wander but pay attention to where it takes you.

Take one day a week to discover something new. A new recipe or new restaurant. A new radio station. A new route home. You’ll taste, hear, and see new things that can spark your imagination.

Make time for play. Be impulsive. Get up and dance. Get some crayons and color. Play a game with kids or play with a pet. Set up an art night with friends.

Do the opposite. If you’ve always done something the same way, try the opposite.

Take an art class or be an adult volunteer for a children’s art class. Don’t be afraid of not being able to paint or draw or photograph. Skill develops with practice. Just signing up for the class is enough to spark your mind with possibilities. See the sidebar for local organizations that offer classes.

If you are still having trouble lighting that fire of imagination, consider this: it’s contagious. Visit a First Friday venue, talk with an artist, attend Ignite Peoria when it revisits the Peoria Civic Center in August. Attend an art opening, a play, a concert, a poetry reading. All of these kinds of activities are warm-ups for stretching the imagination. Using your imagination will soon be like getting back on that bike.

Imagination Opportunities

Peoria Park District http://www.peoriaparks.org

Sun Foundation’s Arts & Science in the Woods

http://sunfoundation.org/wordpress/?page_id=147

ArtsPartners of Central Illinois  http://artspartners.net/about-artspartners/about-us/

Prairie Center of the Arts http://prairiecenterofthearts.blogspot.com

Peoria Art Guild http://www.peoriaartguild.org/!/studioschool

Contemporary Art Center http://www.peoriacac.org/education.html/index.html

Peoria Riverfront Museum  http://www.peoriariverfrontmuseum.org