Friday, July 31, 2009
Friday Fun: Dance Better
Jan is on vacation ... and thinks it would make Friday more fun if you look at this.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Creativity Tips: That's Some Baby
Jan is on vacation. This is a favorite post from February 2008.
A kid is lucky to have one great mother. I was doubly blessed. I have the world's best mom, Lillian Sokoloff. And, when Lynn Dougherty and I became best friends for life in fourth grade, Lynn's mom took me under her wing.
Her presence was a gift. Joyce Dougherty was one of the most creative women I ever knew. Whether she was painting, stitching or cooking, she was an artist.
She was also a cigarette-smoking, no-fools-tolerating spitfire, with rock-solid Southern manners. If that sounds like a contradiction, I'm guessing you've never been to North Carolina.
Today, I'm going to share one of Mrs. Dougherty's most creative lines -- one that you can use in any number of awkward instances:
What do you say when a proud new mama shows you the world's ugliest newborn? "That's some baby!" What do you say when a friend decorates a less-than-Martha-Stewart cake? "That's some cake!" What do you say when a client gives you a project from hell? Oh, yeah ... "That's some project!"
Happy day. From me. And Mrs. Dougherty.
A kid is lucky to have one great mother. I was doubly blessed. I have the world's best mom, Lillian Sokoloff. And, when Lynn Dougherty and I became best friends for life in fourth grade, Lynn's mom took me under her wing.
Her presence was a gift. Joyce Dougherty was one of the most creative women I ever knew. Whether she was painting, stitching or cooking, she was an artist.
She was also a cigarette-smoking, no-fools-tolerating spitfire, with rock-solid Southern manners. If that sounds like a contradiction, I'm guessing you've never been to North Carolina.
Today, I'm going to share one of Mrs. Dougherty's most creative lines -- one that you can use in any number of awkward instances:
That's some baby
What do you say when a proud new mama shows you the world's ugliest newborn? "That's some baby!" What do you say when a friend decorates a less-than-Martha-Stewart cake? "That's some cake!" What do you say when a client gives you a project from hell? Oh, yeah ... "That's some project!"
Happy day. From me. And Mrs. Dougherty.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Creativity Tips: The Airlines Know Best
Jan is on vacation. Here's a favorite post from December 2007:
Forget what you've heard. There is such a thing as a stupid question. Take, for example, the question I am periodically asked, "Are you always this happy?"
No. I am not always this happy. Which is why, a few years ago -- during a less than cheerful moment -- my daughter Kate gave me this mantra: "Breathe in. Breathe out."
Simple? Absolutely. Effective? You bet. Oxygen is the true miracle drug.
So, as the days keep wrapping you in expectations and demands, follow the classic airline advice: If you're traveling with small children or big business, put your own air mask on first.
And breathe.
Forget what you've heard. There is such a thing as a stupid question. Take, for example, the question I am periodically asked, "Are you always this happy?"
No. I am not always this happy. Which is why, a few years ago -- during a less than cheerful moment -- my daughter Kate gave me this mantra: "Breathe in. Breathe out."
Simple? Absolutely. Effective? You bet. Oxygen is the true miracle drug.
So, as the days keep wrapping you in expectations and demands, follow the classic airline advice: If you're traveling with small children or big business, put your own air mask on first.
And breathe.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Creativity Tips: Don't Do It Yourself
Jan is on vacation. Here's a favorite post from December 2007:
Over the years, I've received a number of compliments regarding my title: Chief Creative Instigator. My response is to smile broadly, try to look both creative and instigative, and say, "Thank you." Rarely, do I say, "Thank you. I didn't come up with it. Mike Brown did."
So, for those of you who like the title: "Thank you. I didn't come up with it. Mike Brown did."
Mike is a nationally known speaker on strategy, innovation and cool business topics. Among other responsibilities, he handles strategic market research for YRC Worldwide, a Fortune 500 company. He is also an essential member of my creative team.
Who's on your team? When you're trying to come up with the perfect title, a different approach, an acceptable idea for dinner, who do you ask for advice? My tip for the day: Ask someone. Don't Do It Yourself. And to get really creative input, ask someone unexpected. A four-year-old. Your significant other. The colleague with the candy dish. Take their advice, or use it as a jumpstart. Either way, you both win.
P.S. Did DIY start with the unfortunate idea of self service gas stations? And how can we call it "service" if I have to do it myself? And if I was interested in self service, would I be married? (Ah, but that's a different post, isn't it?)
Over the years, I've received a number of compliments regarding my title: Chief Creative Instigator. My response is to smile broadly, try to look both creative and instigative, and say, "Thank you." Rarely, do I say, "Thank you. I didn't come up with it. Mike Brown did."
So, for those of you who like the title: "Thank you. I didn't come up with it. Mike Brown did."
Mike is a nationally known speaker on strategy, innovation and cool business topics. Among other responsibilities, he handles strategic market research for YRC Worldwide, a Fortune 500 company. He is also an essential member of my creative team.
Who's on your team? When you're trying to come up with the perfect title, a different approach, an acceptable idea for dinner, who do you ask for advice? My tip for the day: Ask someone. Don't Do It Yourself. And to get really creative input, ask someone unexpected. A four-year-old. Your significant other. The colleague with the candy dish. Take their advice, or use it as a jumpstart. Either way, you both win.
P.S. Did DIY start with the unfortunate idea of self service gas stations? And how can we call it "service" if I have to do it myself? And if I was interested in self service, would I be married? (Ah, but that's a different post, isn't it?)
Monday, July 27, 2009
Creativity Tips: Distance Learning
According to this article in Scientific American, psychological distance boosts creativity.
Now, as you know, I'm all about boosting creativity. So, for the next week or two, I'm going to put a little psychological distance between me and the blog. I'll be sharing favorite posts from the past -- going all the way back to 2007.
I hope you enjoy the trip down Creative Instigation memory lane!
Now, as you know, I'm all about boosting creativity. So, for the next week or two, I'm going to put a little psychological distance between me and the blog. I'll be sharing favorite posts from the past -- going all the way back to 2007.
I hope you enjoy the trip down Creative Instigation memory lane!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Creativity Exercise: Updating the Blog
Hi team!My natural temperament is happy, a state Bud captured in the photo shoot. And, lately, I haven't been all that happy with the blog.
So, I must change things. Refresh the "Fun stuff" list. Rethink the features. Maybe use my laughing picture as the profile shot. Maybe Groucho comes back.
All I know for sure is that it's your blog. So, if you have any suggestions for changes, I'd love to hear them. Are there sites you want listed as creativity links? Do you like the Quick Quotes? Want more exercises? Are you tired of the Friday Fun features? Should I offer more Creative Inspiration poems, links, etc.?
Tell me what you want, and I'll do my best to keep all of us happy.
Love,
Jan
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