Asking questions is an important ability for a creative person to have. As children, we probably asked our parents a bunch of questions. As we grow older, we tend to ask fewer and fewer questions. This is because once we reach a certain age, the questions become difficult enough that a parent or teacher may not have the patience or knowledge to answer them and this discourages us from asking further questions. The other reason why adults do not ask questions is because it is an admission of ignorance and people do not like appearing ignorant. As a result people frequently will nod their heads and agree to things that they do not understand.

A creative thinker overcomes these obstacles and asks questions. In reality, asking questions doesn't make you appear stupid; it shows your inquisitive nature and often reveals how much more you know about something than the person you are asking. Not to mention that the question you are asking is probably the same one that everyone else in the room has in the back of their minds. You have nothing to lose and a whole lot to gain from asking questions.

slake

verb :: To allay; to quench; to extinguish; to satisfy one's thirst.
verb :: To go out; to become extinct; to slacken; to become relaxed.

"My first act on coming to this water was, of course, to slake my thirst." --Wells, H.G.

The Phonetic mnemonic system is similar to the Peg system in that it uses words to represent numbers so that you can recall items non-sequentially. It is more difficult to learn than the Peg system, but once mastered, it will allow you to remember much longer lists (the Peg system has difficulty for numbers over 20).

Whereas the Peg system translates numbers into words by using rhymes, the Phonetic system uses sounds. Each digit from 0-9 is represented by a unique sound.

0 -- z, s
1 -- t, d, th
2 -- n
3 -- m
4 -- r
5 -- l
6 -- j, sh, ch, soft g
7 -- k, q, hard c, hard g
8 -- f, v
9 -- p, b

You can then translate numbers into words by combining these sounds. Notice how only consonant sounds are used. Any non-used sounds (including all the vowels) are irrelevant. They are simply there to help construct the word. For example, the number 29 might be represented by the word 'nap' (n=2 and 9=p). The number 99 could be represented by 'puppy', 'papa,' or 'baby.' You can use the word 'tie' for the number 1.

Use these constructed keywords to make your visual associations and you will be able to recall items in any order.

When a mother is trying console an upset child, she will lower her voice and talk in a slow, calm manner. This works because people tend to adopt the attitudes of the people around them. If you are interacting with someone who is stressed out, they will be radiating a lot of nervous energy, which will probably make you start felling stressed out as well. Conversely, if you hang out with people who are calm and relaxed you will start feeling more calm and relaxed as well.

If you are feeling stressed out, you can use this technique to get rid of some of that nervous energy. First, make sure that you are breathing properly. Now, slow everything down in an exaggerated way. Speak slowly, walk slowly, move your arms slowly, breath slowly. Pretend that someone has hit the slow-motion button on the remote control for your life. It may seem unnatural or silly, but try to do this for at least 10 minutes and you may find that you have slowed your mind down and that you feel a lot more relaxed.