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How to Develop an Active Imagination

Having an imagination means you possess the ability to conjure in your mind objects, circumstances and situations that do not exist. An active imagination employs all the senses; you can visualize a taste, sound, smell or sensation. An imagination is a powerful tool, but often it is not correctly used or well developed. Having an active imagination can not only be fun, it can also make you a more creative, engaged person and can benefit other parts of your life, such as your career.

Instructions

- 1
  Read fiction. Reading can take you to different worlds you never knew existed and will allow you to think beyond the sights and sounds you experience every day. Reading will open your mind to different possibilities and creative opportunities. Choose books that describe a drastically different life than the one you live each day, such as J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series or George Orwell's "1984."
- 2
  Write a story. Think about developing the plot, creating interesting characters with vivid personalities and a stimulating setting. Take your time, as new ideas will pop up over time, and feel free to change the story when you want to. Good writers help their readers imagine the characters and plots that they describe, and writing will help you to describe your imagination on paper.
- 3
  Write in a journal. Take time to reflect on the events of your day and describe the sights, sounds, smells and feelings you experienced. Having an active imagination does not only mean visualizing experiences that haven't happened to you; it also means being able to relive past memories. As you write in your journal, pretend you are living your day all over again. This will become easier with practice.
- 4
  Look for products that could be improved on, and devise ways in which these improvements could be made. The automobile, for instance, has changed countless times since it was invented, all thanks to innovators who had active imaginations. If you see a need for a product or service that doesn't exist, develop a way that this could be invented.
- 5
  Take an improvisation class. In improvisation, you're typically given a scene or scenario to act out, but you can act it out in any way you choose. It will help your ability to think creatively on your toes.
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  Travel. You don't have to take extravagant vacations to expand your imagination, though. You may be able to drive a few miles down the road to experience new sights. For instance, if you live in a city, drive to a farm for the afternoon and experience a slower way of life. Seeing a different way of life with expand your horizons and help you break out of your comfort zone.

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