Creative Query: Hidden Talents

We haven't had a "creative query" on the blog for a while ... but a fun team-builder exercise at a client's meeting brought one to mind.

Everyone in the meeting had to ask everyone else one question. My assigned question was: "What's a hidden talent you have that could help others on the team?"

Since I'm working with a creative group, the answers ranged from Rob's "mind control" to Jade's "I know CPR. Sort of." (So if you're "sort of" dying, Jade's your man.)

This leads us to a double Creative Instigation query. What's your hidden talent? And why is it hidden?

Creativity Tips: Disturb the Status Quo

This "do not disturb" sign from Embassy Suites is one of the props in my creativity presentation. I love it. Some writer, somewhere, came up with the perfect way to convey an important message (or two) and the brand.

Starbucks did a similar thing years ago, when the company added a legal liability line to the cup sleeves: Careful, the beverage you're about to enjoy is extremely hot.

It's brilliant. Costs no more to print than, Caution. Beverage extremely hot. Yet it says so much more.

These are wonderful examples of seeing and seizing an opportunity -- and both steps are essential to creative success. Today, find an opportunity to make the ordinary extraordinary. And do it!

Creativity Tips: Once is Enough

I know. You're wondering if this post is connected to my ongoing "smaller is better" campaign. It's not -- but it is the first time the Creative Instigation tip is also a safety tip.

Here's the deal: Picture yourself walking, alone, to your car in a dark parking lot. You only need to click the key once to unlock your door. Easy, right?

Yet, according to recent research, that's not what many of us do. We click. And we click. And then, if we're really in the mood, we click again. The door on the passenger's side unlocks, too -- and the bad guys can slide right in.

What's this have to do with creativity? There are times we all over-click. We use four colors and embossing, because the printing budget allows it. We add another dash of salt to the soup, just for good measure. We insist on keeping every single solitary word in that lead sentence because if we really, completely spell it out maybe the audience will grasp every nuance of our meaning.

This week, take a fresh look at projects you've had on your plate for some time. Maybe they're done! Maybe you're over-clicking. One perfect color grabs attention. Salt is over-rated. Short sentences communicate.

Trust me. And stop opening dangerous doors.

Creativity Tips: Just Say "Thank You"

A Kansas City Star story about the recent Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson concert at Sprint Center made me cringe.

According to the Star, "after Clarkson's spectacular rock-soul performance of Patty Griffin's 'Up to the Mountain,' Reba took a couple steps back, bowed respectfully in the 'I am not worthy' gesture and then told Clarkson she had more soul in her little finger than most singers have in their entire body. Clarkson shrugged and said, 'Whatever.'"

Whatever is not an acceptable answer to a genuine, generous compliment. Whatever is not an acceptable answer to anything.

It's a common tendency to deflect compliments. It is not a good common tendency. And it's time to stop.

The next time someone praises your creative accomplishment, relish the moment. Give 'em a grin. And just say, "Thank you."

Friday Fun: Double your Pleasure

Double your pleasure, double your fun ...

If you're as old as I am, you're now humming the Doublemint jingle. If you're not as old as I am, you're lucky. Go outside and play.

Or, stay here and play. Today, we've got two Friday Fun features. First, a marketing quiz that I thought I'd ace. I didn't.

Then, in keeping with yesterday's doodle exercise, a doodle game. I can't do it, but you may still have some eye-hand coordination left. Although, judging from last week's helicopter crashes, I'm not real sure about that.

P.S. Double your pleasure is a lovely line. Such copy possibilities. But that's fun for another day ...

Creativity Exercise: Doodle Doodle

Isn't the word doodle wonderful? It's not just great for saying ... it's great for playing. Give it a try! What can you make out of the letters of doodle?

If you'd like to doodle online, let me point you toward Napkin Notebook again.

P.S. I'm not sure you can post drawings, but you can always email your masterpieces to me!

P.P.S. This is a creativity exercise. Make up your own rules. Use some of the letters. Use all of the letters. Doodle in color. Doodle in ketchup. Whatever you do do doodle will be brilliant. I guarantee it.

Creativity Tips: Cut the Knot

When it comes to writing, I know what to do when I hit a knotty problem -- a phrase that refuses to work, a word that doesn't fit, an idea that isn't clear. I fall back on the writer's mantra:

You own the sentence. It doesn't own you.

I stop trying to fix what isn't working. I start a new sentence.

However, I am far more comfortable with writing than I am with knitting. On the current scarf attempt, I recently hit the mother lode of all knots. What was once yarn became a relentlessly twisted wreck of unforgiving fiber.

Being a newbie knitter and a psychotic over-achiever, I refused to admit defeat. I spent hours trying to untie the knots. Hours.

Then, I finally realized: I own the yarn. It doesn't own me.

I cut the cord. Literally. Cut the knot out, tied the yarn back together, and took off knitting again. Now, this may not be the approved approach in knitting, but this is a scarf -- not a nuclear power plant. One glitch won't end the world.

The next time you hit a creative roadblock, remember: If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. If that doesn't work, cut the knot.