"Believing oneself too creative to play in the world of the mundane … that is problematic."

Jean Chatzky

"Creativity isn't far away, or outside of you. It's an inner movement, a heart-shift, a joy making its way out of your throat or hands or feet. So go for it. No one's watching. The payoff is magnificent."

Margo Jefferson, a professor and theater critic at The New York Times

"Let creativity help you solve problems, face challenges and become a part of the fabric of your daily life."

Sandra Magsamen, author of Living Artfully

"When I'm blocked, I keep going and slog my way through it. And I come up with maybe one second of something interesting after working for hours."

Mark Morris, c horeographer and founder of Mark Morris Dance Group

"To be truly creative we must be willing to say to every other person on earth, 'I really don't give a damn how you do it.' Your creativity will likely never emerge if you don't let your bitchy side do its work."

Martha Beck, life coach

"Just start something in your life … you will have a happier life, you will feel more confident, and that's what it's all about."

Victoria Colligan, co-founder of Ladies Who Launch

"Engage your team members' creativity—you might gain from their fresh approaches."

Julie Morgenstern, organizing and time management expert

"People who follow their joy discover a depth of talent and creativity that inspires us all."

Dr. Robert Holden, psychologist and author of Happiness NOW!

"[Making cleanup a fun activity for children] gives them a sense of empowerment and creativity."

Julie Edelman, author of The Ultimate Accidental Housewife: Your Guide to a Clean-Enough House

"Join me as a partner in creativity. … Interpret the story for yourself. Write your own ending."

William Faulkner, author

"When I was in New York, trying to be an actor and not working at all, I needed something to anchor me to the world. At that time, I was bereft of any creativity. I read The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron, and it gave me a schedule—something to do, to focus on. I have a mind that just doesn't quiet down, and the directive to write three pages each morning became almost meditative."

Allison Janney , actress

"Faith is almost the bottom line of creativity; it requires a leap of faith any time we undertake a creative endeavor, whether this is going to the easel, or the page, or onto the stage."

Julia Cameron, author of The Artist's Way

"Let's say that for the next hour, you'll simply accept that you're not sure what to do. … If you do this mindfully, you'll feel a sense of relief, a space opening around the difficult issue. This enhances creativity—so, paradoxically, accepting indecisiveness actually frees your mind to devise effective solutions."

Martha Beck

"Help [children] retain their innocence, help them retain their fascination, imagination, creativity and forgiveness."

Rabbi Shmuley Boteach

"My identity has so much to do with my ability to self-express, to assert my creativity and productive worth."

Michael J. Fox, actor and author

"If you're going to be working harder, it's even more important to get a job you'll really like—a job that will not only help you meet your financial and career goals, but will also reward your psyche, stimulate your creativity and give you that feeling of accomplishment that sometimes only the workplace can provide."

Jean Chatzky

"Panic leads to creativity. This is true in everything I do, from writing to cooking. In my experience, lack of panic means lack of caring."

Cindy Chupack, a screenwriter and executive producer of Sex and the City

"I want to keep redefining my work and trying new things. I want my music to be able to fit into any category. I want it to float wherever my heart goes."

Alicia Keys, singer

"Creativity and play help you gain confidence, self-understanding and self-esteem. They increase your concentration, help you learn to take risks and create balance and order."

Sandra Magsamen

"The cultivation of creativity is one of the most important things you can do in terms of educating a child."

Russell Simmons, hip-hop mogul

"If you want to be a more intuitive cook—the kind who can whip up a delicious dinner from the seemingly incongruous ingredients on hand or know instantly that the soup needs a jolt of lemon—there are ways you can learn to trust your own imagination and taste. Instead of following recipes, you can shrug off your inhibitions."

Celia Barbour, contributing editor for O, The Oprah Magazine

"As children we are all creative. It's in the programming, the socialization, that we lose our sense of play."

Julie Taymor, an Oscar®-nominated director

"I've noticed that when I begin the morning by checking e-mail, I don't create anything worth a damn all day; by the time I've slogged through my in-box, I'm tapped out. So I've started doing all my writing and brainstorming before I even log on. I can't remember the last time I had so much creative energy."

Katie Goodman, contributing writer for O, The Oprah Magazine

"The creative process is carried forward one song at a time."

Emmylou Harris, country singer

"Those who love children love innocence, they love vulnerability, they love creativity and they love life."

Rabbi Shmuley Boteach

"People involved in the arts tend to think more creatively about their surroundings."

DD Allen, architect and designer

"Intelligent, witty, creative women appear to be on the rise."

Lisa Kogan, writer-at-large for O, The Oprah Magazine

"Indignation is one of the greatest motive energies in creative life—perhaps the greatest."

Pearl S. Buck, author of The Good Earth

"This is a rough economy to find a job, and realistically, it could take a few months or longer [before you find a job]. So you want to start thinking about other ways to bring in some money. The possibilities, really, are only limited by your creativity."

Jean Chatzky

"You can help create a new cultural paradigm, one that replaces conformity with honesty, convention with creativity, and judgment with kindness."

Martha Beck

"Get creative. … Have fun, explore and embrace the infinite ways there are to make your passion into a reality."

Sandra Magsamen