Friday Fun: Move Over, Mario

It's time for the Mario boys to move aside ... get ready for the Super Chick Sisters. (Hey, yesterday we talked about rubber chickens. So a chicken game seemed like a natural.)

We'll be back to instigate more creativity on Tuesday -- here's to a long weekend!

P.S. Happy 15th Birthday to Mary, my baby chick!

Creativity Tips: Don't Be a Beak Performer

This is one of my favorite creativity cards -- and creativity props. Everyone loves a rubber chicken. What's it mean? Well, there are many interpretations, including this one ...

There’s one sure way to deliver peak performance: Just say “no” to beak performance.

Beak performance is a common and insidious ailment that kids on a farm understand and CEOs don’t. Here’s how it works. If you draw a line in the dirt, and you put a chicken’s beak to the line, the chicken will faithfully walk that line. Day in. Day out. He won’t lift his beak, he won’t look around, he won’t move off the line.

In business terms, the chicken accepts, “We’ve always done it that way.” In personal terms, the chicken believes, “There’s nothing I can do about that.” The longer you’re on a job, or with a person, the more likely you are to display the dreaded beak performance signs.

But here’s the good news: You’re not a chicken. So lift your head up and take a good look around. You’ll be amazed at what you see.

Site Seeing: Funny Politics

OK. How many of you really need the conventions to determine which man gets your vote?

Not me. But, before we tire of politics all together, take a look at a Kansas candidate who's putting the fun back in fundraising.

Thanks to Steve for the link!

Creativity Tips: Walk the Talk

Last year in her art class, my daughter Mary made this perky little penguin. Now, while I don't generally decorate with penguins -- perky or otherwise -- this one is displayed in a place of honor in our house.

Why? Because actions speak louder than words. Mary knows we're proud of her creative abilities, because she can see our pride -- and her penguin -- every day.

So, consider this question from your Jewish mother: When you receive a creative gift from a colleague or a kid, what do your actions say?

Creativity Tips: Letting Go

This creativity card features a close-up look at a painting my daughter Kate made for me several years ago. She went with a Georgia O'Keefe look, knowing I liked that style.

I like Kate's style.

On Saturday, Kate moved out of the house and into her dorm at K-State. She starts classes today. So, my baby is on her own. And that brings us to the creativity tip for the day: Life is letting go. Make sure the people you love know you love them. Today.

(How does that apply to creativity? Look at the picture. There's nothing more creatively instigating than love.)

Friday Fun: Happy Neurons

You know you're getting old when friends start sending links to "anti-aging" games -- designed to keep your brain from rusting.

I tried Split Words on a "difficult" level. I won't mention my score. You'll do better.

P.S. This is what it has come to. I will reveal my age. I won't reveal my game scores.

P.P. S. Thanks to Mo for the link. I think.

Creativity Tips: Work with the Best

I'm going to tell you a secret: The piece of pottery you see here really isn't as pretty as it looks.

I know this, because I made it. I can tell you where every flaw is -- from the dribbled glaze on the side you can't see, to the uneven width of the walls.

But you know what? Leslie Adams took this photo -- and she made my pot look beautiful.

And that brings us to the tip for the day: Work with the best, and you'll look better.