Thursday, August 12, 2010

Creativity Tips: Follow Your Passion

The Big Bunny commented on Tuesday that I probably have "lusty tales of high adventure" from BlogHer '10. I do, but I will save those for one-on-one discussions. (Yes, despite all evidence to the contrary, I can be discreet.) However, now that I've had a chance to let the overwhelming experience that is BlogHer percolate, I do want to share a few lessons learned:
  1. If you order a ride from a company named Carmel, do not get in a car from a company named International. Even if the driver repeatedly says, "Yes! Carmel! Yes!" The driver does not speak English.

  2. I am not the only good writer in the world. Seriously! Did you realize that? I sometimes forget.

  3. Some of those writers are trying to change the world. Big picture. Piss off dictators. Clean water. Cure diseases.

  4. I'm trying to change the world, small picture. I want to make your day better.

  5. You can always cram another tipsy blogger into a tiny Hilton Hotel elevator. Maybe two. There's three of you? Ohmilord.

  6. It's possible to walk down 36 floors and get to the lobby before the elevator arrives.

  7. There are many ways to measure success with a blog. Google Analytics is just one of them.

  8. Ree Drummond looks just like her photos on The Pioneer Woman. Mrs. Potato Head looks like Mrs. Potato Head. Bruce Jenner looks like a man living with the Kardashians. (FYI, I totally enjoyed having my photo taken with him.)

  9. People want to talk. They just don't want to initiate the conversation. And the vast majority of people want to talk about themselves. (Which is good news for those of us who don't.)

  10. Man can't live on bread alone. Women can do pretty good on New York cheesecake.

Seriously, my big BlogHer takeaway came during a two-minute conversation in the hall: It still pays to follow your passion. Catherine, the chef in the Jimmy Dean booth, stopped practicing law to start cooking.

Catherine sparkled. Even when she wasn't standing by the sun.

And that, my friends, is the recipe for creative happiness: Find your passion. And have the courage to follow it.

4 comments:

Jan said...

P.S. I think I'm done with the BlogHer posts. We're back to whatever "normal" is tomorrow. Thanks for listening!

Leslie said...

Mmm...sausage...oh,wait, that wasn't the point, was it!? Seriously, I love the BlogHer stories, especially since I didn't get to go this time. Sounds like a great people-watching place to be.

Capital Mom said...

I think you hit the nail on the head. Follow your passion is something I took away from BlogHer. Now I just have to find out what mine is.

I really enjoyed your session. The three of you provided lots of inspiration.

Angela Pritchett said...

No! Please don't say the BlogHer stories are done! I want more and I'm sure you can sprinkle a few more lessons and musings into your posts.

I'm sure it was fun to get your photo taken with Bruce Jenner but I have to say the Jimmy Dean Sun Guy is pretty awesome too.