Creativity Tips: Stop Whining

I had an entire post written for today encouraging people to be nice, drawing on several recent not-nice experiences I've had.

Then, my friend Chris took me to lunch. And I was reminded that the world is full of kind, good, supportive people. So I don't feel like chiding anyone today. It's summertime. Go outside. Go play.

P.S. With Chris and colleagues Keith and Karen, I have a whole Armada on my side! They're brilliant. Check 'em out.

Creativity Exercise: Write a Note for the Western Wall

In two weeks, I plan to be in Jerusalem as part of a trip with the Jewish Women's Renaissance Project. It's an interesting time to be in Israel. Lots of unrest between Orthodox Jews and other Jews -- along with the usual geo-political issues.

This is my first trip to Israel and much of my time will be spent studying at a facility near the Western Wall. It's traditional to leave a note -- often a prayer -- in a crevice of the Wall.

That brings us to an interesting creativity exercise: If you could send a short message to a higher power, what would it be?

(You don't need to believe in a higher power to do the exercise. In some ways, it's probably a better creativity exercise for those of you who don't -- requires more imagination!)


Here's another exercise. Finish Bart's message:
"Holy ..."

Creativity Tips: Create an All-Star Team

As a Kansas City native, I feel obligated to do a post re: today's All-Star game:

One of the many activities tied to the game was Sunday's program at the Kauffman Performing Arts Center, a fond look back at the 1985 World Series.* In The Kansas City Star story about the event, the reporter quotes former Royals catcher Jim Sundberg, talking about the 1985 squad:

"This team probably wasn't our most talented team, but it was the team that played best together."

That's what I'm talking about, folks. "Plays well with others" is more than a box to check off on the kindergarten grade card. It's an approach to life, a generosity of spirit, that leads to success. It leads to championships.

When you build your All-Star creative team, consider talent the table stakes. But before you move forward, ask yourself: "If I didn't have to, would I really want to play with this person?"
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In keeping with the All-Star trends, here's my list of what makes KC special -- beyond the BBQ, boulevards and baseball.

• Kansas City drivers let you cut in front of them in traffic. Not always, but often.
• Neighbors still borrow sugar and eggs from each other.
• Steaks. If you're a carnivore, you're in the right place. However, we also have every other kind of deliciousness available. With the possible exception of a Kosher deli.
• Four seasons trump two or one. Even if two of the seasons are less than delightful.
• Many of our wealthiest neighborhoods aren't gated. You can drive through Mission Hills and gawk at the houses, a favorite family activity when I was young.
• Farms. I love driving by farms and grazing horses right next to houses.
• We report the traffic, but ... yeah. It's not New York. And if you live here, you know the roads to avoid and when to avoid them. Quivira, for example. For now and the foreseeable future.
• Strangers help each other. Happened to me just this past weekend -- Tom and I were trying to move a heavy piece of furniture at Mom's assisted living facility. A man -- not young -- standing nearby immediately came over and helped. (Remind me of this on Thursday. You'll see why.)

*I have a ticket from that series in my wedding album. Tom and I got married on Oct. 27, 1985, the day the Royals won it all. That must be a good marriage omen ...

Creativity Tips: Expand Your Team

Recently, Kate and I were driving to the car shop and went past a young man, zooming along the sidewalk on his bicycle.

"He's going really fast," I said.

"He's going downhill," Kate replied.

Now, here's the fascinating thing about that exchange: I hadn't noticed he was going downhill. Consider it part of my charm; I often overlook the obvious.* Fortunately for all of us, Kate adds her insight and perspective to my continually evolving creative team.

This week's advice? Surround yourself with people who see the world differently than you do. It's a really fast way to widen your creative vantage point. And that's a huge advantage.

*Be nice. It's Monday. Let's call it a charming trait rather than a sign of impending senility.

Ya'll be careful today

And here's to good memories of Andy Griffith.

Creativity Tips: Follow the Path to Weird U.S.

You never know where the path of a journey -- or a conversation -- may take you.

Yesterday, out of the blue, Kate asked me if Atchison, Kan., was one of the seven gateways to hell. OK, the mention of Atchison wasn't completely out of the blue. We were discussing Amelia Earhart. However, the "gateway to hell" was a bit off topic.

While I was still laughing about that, she corrected herself: "Oh, no. It's not Atchison. It's Stull, Kan."

And that, my friends, brings us to Weird U.S., where a funky little homespun newsletter turned into a much bigger creative endeavor -- a place where you can discover why Stull is considered a direct path to hell. Read carefully, and you'll also uncover a bit of creative inspiration: The guys behind the project recognized an opportunity when it came their way and pursued it. Think that's common? Think again.When opportunity knocks, a lot of us refuse to listen.

It's a weird, weird, weird, weird world, my friends. Here's to wandering.

(But avoid those gateways to hell. Especially in Stull. Hell, if I'm going down, I expect a more exotic entryway than a cemetery in Kansas ...)

Creativity Tips: Avoid the Busy Trap

Do you have time to read a short essay by Tim Kreider in The New York Times? No? Ah, then you're the person who needs to read it most.

Thanks to Bob for pointing me toward the essay and reminding me to avoid the busy trap. Happy Monday!

This is Bob.