Archive for September, 2008

Feel like you’re stuck in a rut without creative motivation? Try switching what you normally do to a different day! Friday is always my day for art, photography or music based posts. So, to mix things up, I am doing it on Monday. And, to stick with the ‘mixing it up’ theme, I have found a compilation of photo’s and drawings of spirals. This website has hundreds of pictures of spirals, some which are found in nature, and some that have been created by human thought. The contributing artist for each is listed on the site, and many of them have their own collections of great pictures and art to check out as well. These 3 caught my eye immediately:

 (nature creates some of the most stunning shapes and movement)

(anyone else feel like they are in a psychedelic space ship?)

(must not get dizzy…. must not get dizzy….)

Many of us have such busy schedule that fitting in time for lunch is almost impossible. I have noticed that everywhere I have ever worked, at least a few of the people work through lunch every day. When I asked them why, I always got the same answer, “If I stop, I will lose my momentum and never get it back”. What they are forgetting is we often begin to lose focus (without realizing it) as we get hungrier. This means, your momentum is slowly going away anyway! I have been in this situation more times than I would like to admit and have definitely skipped a meal (or 3) to keep my creative focus. But, this began to have a negative impact on both my mood and my work. What I thought was great wasn’t. My judgment was clouded from the lack of food in my system. Since then, I have made it a point to eat lunch every day, even if it means eating a meal replacement bar while typing my blog for the day …*hint, that’s what I am doing right now!* ‘Lunch’ doesn’t have to be some big ordeal – but it is important to eat. Try making sure you have lunch every day this week – and see if it changes how you feel for the rest of the day.
Do you eat lunch every day? Why/why not?

I am an extremely creative individual, but even I know when I need help. The key to good creativity is allowing yourself to ask for help when you need it. For example – I can write my but off, but when it comes to programming, I don’t have a clue. Giving yourself permission to not be perfect will give you the opportunity to really improve what you ARE good at. Plus, then you get to spend your time doing what you love, rather than making yourself miserable trying to do something that frustrates you, just because you think you should. Next time someone asks you ‘do you do xyz”? Make sure that you wantto be doing xyz before you say yes.

What is your favorite thing to work on? What are you best (or worst) at doing?

You know all those proverbs your mother used to tell you? I found a great list of some of the most popular provebs – and their ‘other side’. The creative question is: Can you believe in both and not be a hypocrite? I think: absolutely!

How can you use the concept of 2 sided proverbs to jump start your creativity? Try looking at the other side of the conversation all day today – just because you’ve arrived at one answer and someone else arrived at another, doesn’t mean either of you are right or wrong. There is the distinct possibility that both answers are right, and just 2 sides to your coin! Take a look at the list – which proverb is your favorite?

Each friday I show off a piece of art, music or photography from an artist that I have found. If you have someone that you love, or a piece that makes you feel creative, let me know – I’m always looking for great new creative minds!

Shoes designed by Antonio Berardi

This friday, I decided to show off a slideshow of pictures. The shoes are from a variety of designers and were photographed by many different photographers! I am sure many of you have seen these before, but it makes me thankful for the 4 1/2 inch heels on the pumps I wore to work today! All I can say is omgthatlookslikeithurts…

Not all of us are visual learners – or are stimulated by images/visualization. But, for those who are, seeing creative images can stem some of the best ideas. Basically,

Visual stimulation is a great way for creative inspiration.

Recently I got a link to a great site through twitter, (sorry to whoever sent it out, I forgot who it was!) that was the 25 best optical illusions. After watching the first 5 I was already excited and feeling more creative! See what they can do for you (my favorite was #16)

burst chair by oliver tilbury

My husband and I spent last weekend buying new furniture, re-decorating and re-organizing our living room.  We had been putting it off for a while, but finally decided that we were tired of the mess and the uncomfortable couch. In addition to having a great new look, and a super comfy new couch, one of the biggest positives of furniture hunting is the creative inspiration it gives me! The colors, the shapes, the textures, the everything! Although I am a more traditionalist, I like dark woods, comfy pillows and big couches; the look of the more eclectic furniture always seems to catch my eye.

While doing some searching I found a site with 10 great chairs to impress your guests – the picture above was my favorite (too bad it would never fit with my current decor – or budget!). If you have the budget, or just love creative furniture like I do, check out more of these awesome chair designs!  Any other designs that have caught your eye recently? Which one of the chairs is your favorite?

Each friday I show off a piece of art, music or photography from an artist that I have found. If you have someone that you love, or a piece that makes you feel creative, let me know – I’m always looking for great new creative minds!

Today, the image marks a prayer for safety of all those in the way of Hurricane Ike. Although beautiful (as shown by the photograph below, taken by Pastor Rob Casey), we all know their scary power. To all those in Florida, Louisiana and Texas – be safe!

Do you remember where you were 7 years ago, today?

Today I take a break from creativity and pay my respects to those who were lost on this fateful day 7 years ago, and send my thoughts to their families and friends. I also want to say God Bless and thank you to our troops. We love you!

 We will never forget.

I wonder if you could help me an experiment by answering the following in comments.

1) What’s the hardest part about creativity for you?
2) What’s the easiest part about creativity for you?

I’ll go first:
Hardest – 1) Getting started
Easiest – 2) Getting started

Yes, I really do think that getting started is both the easiest and the hardest.

It is often difficult to get motivation (which is why creativity is so hard) and it is almost impossible to come up with a design or a post if I am staring at a blank post page or a blank photoshop page. But, if I just allow myself to start doing something (even if it has nothing to do with ‘creativity’ in general), creativity will follow.

So, what about you? What are the hardest and easiest parts of marketing?

Thanks for answering!