Brainstorming

Brainstorming

(Originally posted on July 19, 2018)

Brainstorming was a technique I used often in my classroom. It is a way to generate an abundance of ideas quickly. While brainstorming, the rule is to not pass judgement at the time. Even wild ideas are allowed. 

As I was reading Designing Your Life, by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans, I couldn't help, but remember a brainstorming episode that took place during a faculty meeting many years ago.  Our principal was eliciting ideas for ways we could improve learning at our school. Although, I can't remember the ideas of the other teachers, I do remember both my idea, and hers. 

At the time I remember thinking that my principle's idea was too unrealistic, and mine extremely practical. At the time I took great pleasure in thinking that I had the better idea. Today I'm thinking differently. 

My idea had been done before, and my principal's was almost crazy, except it wasn't. What she was doing was pushing us out of our comfort zones, out of the familiar and known. If you keep doing things the same way chances are you are going to end up with the same results. 

Her training in gifted education gave her the edge when it came to brainstorming. I just wasn't far enough in my teaching career to know any different. As I think about it today, I wish we had followed through on her idea. I think it would have led to a more engaged group of students which is half the battle when it comes to learning. 

When faced with a problem, don't rule out an idea that might sound a little "crazy" at first. It might actually be a catalyst to the solution you are seeking. 

Creativity Suggestion

Accessories 

I’ve never considered myself a fashionista. My style is pretty classic, and I rarely follow the trends. Several years ago, though, I had an aha moment about fashion. It had to do with accessories. I had never quite understood the whole idea of accessories since my fashion sense is pretty plain. What I discovered, though, was just like furniture, my pants and shirt were kind of like a couch and a chair. Both were screaming for a throw pillow or two. Along with the pillows were the knick-knacks on the coffee table, a picture above the fireplace, and maybe curtains on the windows. The accessories were what made the room. That year I had fun playing around with cardigans, scarfs, earrings, and necklaces. My whole attitude changed that year, and for the first time I saw the creative possibilities of fashion. 

Downloading a Different Browser

Downloading a Different Browser

(Originally posted on May 30, 2018)

Adam Grant, author of Originals, writes about a group of customer service employees all working for the same company. Their employment status was followed over a period of time trying to determine who was most successful and fulfilled in their job. 

As it turned out their success had to do with the internet browser they used. You see most people just stuck with the default browser that was already programmed into their computer. They never once questioned changing it. They basically just went along with what they had been given. 

On the other hand, a small percentage changed their browser. In doing so they showed initiative, and a level of resourcefulness that the others had not. These people by taking control over one small aspect of their job went on to find more satisfaction than their co-workers. 

Grant states, " We live in an Internet Explorer world." " ...many of us accept the defaults in our own lives." 

The less freedom and control that we are allowed in our job can set the tone for a disconnect, and a lack of initiative.

Add to this the tendency toward false choices, and we can limit our options down to only two. You know one or the other.

  My natural inclination, my default, is not to think outside the box very often. I am guilty of thinking only in one way. However, the paradox here is that in many ways I do consider myself a creative person. It's just that as I've written before the status quo keeps calling my name. 

It's not my default to look at things in a different way.  However, I'm thinking that it may be time to check my browser. 

"The hallmark of originality is rejecting the default and exploring whether better options exists."

Adam Grant

Creativity Suggestion 

Seasonal Decorating

One of the first things I embraced when I retired from teaching was seasonal decorating. That first fall rather than planning lessons, I found myself decorating my home. Where once Christmas was the only time to decorate now the entire autumn season is ripe with pumpkins. Today I don’t do as much since I don’t have as many flat surfaces in my home, but I still enjoy checking out others creative decors. Again Pinterest is the go to when it comes to ideas. Let your inner designer shine this season. 

Possible

Possible

(Originally posted on March 23, 2018)

A quote by author Matthew Kelly caught my eye the other day. 

"We gravitate toward what is manageable, rather than imagining what is possible." 

I'm a really good manager. The move we made two years ago is a perfect example of my logistical skills, and actually that really isn't such a bad thing. However, I think settling for good management, and losing sight of the possibilities makes for a life half-lived. 

As you go through your day today try to imagine a possibility or two that would make your life richer. 

Creativity Suggestion

Coffee Shop- 

I recently discovered a coffee shop that offers amazing coffee.  It is originally out of Austin, but has a Frisco and Keller location as well. Summer Moon Coffee boasts of a wood fired coffee with its to die for Moonmilk cream. Coffee shops are great places to meet a friend to share your next creativity project. They are places to read and write in an environment away from home with all its distractions. You could work on your bullet journal here as you sketch out your next month layout. Summer Moon is worth the trip.

http://woodfiredcoffee.com

Resistance

Resistance

(Originally posted on March 16, 2018)

"Most of us have two lives. The life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands Resistance."

Steven Pressfield

I came across this quote the other day while reading a posting from a fellow blogger. She has been writing and posting a novel over the last several months that is extremely good.  She began writing in November when she took on the challenge of writing a novel in thirty days, and it has evolved into a creative undertaking that she is now wanting to publish 

The quote above is from Steven Pressfield's The War of Art. After reading these words I felt they described kind of where I am right now. I've got so many ideas and plans, and yet I can't seem to make a move. I've been perplexed as to why I've been so unmotivated, and have tried to blame it on the weather, however I think that is just an excuse. 

What I love about having creative friends is the inspiration they bring. My blogging friend is hard at work editing and revising her mystery story getting it ready for publication. I can't help but cheer her on, and feel motivated to push beyond the Resistance myself. 

http://backontheflooragain.blogspot.com/p/rubato.html

Creativity Suggestion

Bullet Journal-

If you are curious about Bullet Journals they are all the rage on the internet. Search on You Tube and Pinterest, and you will find all sorts of ideas. I don’t use my bullet journal as a planner, but rather as a way to record my year. I recently purchased a dotted grid journal and I LOVE it. I’ve always been intimidated by the blank page, and the dots give me just enough structure to make it enjoyable. I’m including favorite quotes, books I’ve read, tracking my walks, and a list of my blog posts just to name a few. Maybe Bullet Journaling is just what you need to kick your creativity back in gear. 

Original

Original

(Originally posted on July 12, 2017)

There is a burden to being original. Especially, because if the truth be known nothing really is totally original. Author Austin Kleon in his book, Steal Like an Artist, reminds us that, 

" If we're free from the burden of trying to be completely original, we can stop trying to make something out of nothing, and we can embrace influence instead of running away from it."

I've found without influence I struggle to come up with ANY ideas let alone original ideas. Of course, my influences can come from many different directions. Being open and aware of them is what really counts. 

Instead of using originality as an excuse not to be creative, let it become a liberating force. Look for things that seem to grab your attention and go from there. This could include new culinary delights, fashion trends, redecorating a room, writing in a journal or any array of creative endeavors you might fancy to undertake. 

Knowing that you don't have to start at square one makes starting so much easier. I find pinning ideas and inspirations on Pinterest a way to not take up too much room in what can be an already too cluttered world. For me having a continual stream of books in my life also seems to keep my own creative juices flowing. 

What I do know is that when I'm spending time ruminating over a possible idea life just seems a little more interesting. If you are concerned that others might judge you as unoriginal consider the words of the French writer Andre Gide, 

"Everything that needs to be said has already been said. But since no one was listening, everything must be said again."

Creativity Suggestion 

Upcycle- 

Part of being creative is being resourceful. Rather than purchase something you need, look around your home to see if you already have something that could be used instead. A glass jar can be used to store dried beans, a terra cotta flower pot can hold plasticware at a party, and a candy tin can hold paper clips. This mindset is more of a necessity when you live in a rural community without all the city conveniences. However, the upside to that is that it allows you more opportunities to be creative. 

Creativity Perspective

Creativity Perspective

(Originally posted on June 23, 2017

If you've ever done any reading on creativity you will probably find two reoccurring themes. One being that we are ALL creative, and the other that creativity can be a way to keep our minds more engaged as we age. Although, there is some research that shows that creativity seems to diminish after a certain age. 

I think for some of us it is difficult to see ourselves as creative, because we have placed it into too narrow of a box. If we are not covered in paint, or locked away typing on a manual typewriter full of angst, or are not giving Joanna Gains a run for her money we assume we must have come up short on the creativity gene. 

However, if we fully embrace creativity we might find that we are more creative than we thought. Scott Sonenshein, author of Stretch refers to what he calls "little c creativity” which he defines as,

 "a form of creativity not focused on producing creative works but rather on solving practical problems through new uses and applications of resources." 

This perspective of creativity is one that most people can claim. Anyone who's thrown together a meal using only those ingredients on hand is practicing this type of creativity. Using only the resources on hand actually allows this kind of creativity to flourish. 

In fact sometimes having less is really better than having an abundance. Sonenshein explains that,

 "With abundance, people treat resources as what they appear on the surface, utilizing them in traditional ways. But when people face scarcity, they give themselves freedom to use less resources in less conventional ways."

My experience is that once you have too much of something you lose sight of what you actually have. Too many choices can become overwhelming. Keeping your possessions manageable might actually result in using them more frequently.

 Look for those ways in your day where you can be creative. Don't count yourself short, and when faced with a problem, rather than run to the store see if there is a way to utilize the available resources. I know for me when I am able to do this I'm usually quite pleased with my ingenuity. 

Creativity Suggestion 

Instagram

I use my Instagram account as a photo gallery. I only post my very favorite photos, and I love to scroll back at all the photos I’ve posted. When choosing which photos to post I look for the ones that seem to capture more of an artistic feel. I use Face Book more to post memorable photos of different events. If you are not on Instagram you might consider using it in this way. It sure is easier then scrolling through your 10,000 saved photos on your phone. 

Curious Minds

Curious Minds

(Originally posted on January 26, 2017)

One of my favorite books growing up was Curious George. It seemed that George's curiosity was always getting him into trouble. Once it even landed him in jail, however, he managed to escape and soon found himself floating away holding onto a bunch of balloons. 

Although, I never quite felt comfortable with the getting into trouble part, I did fully embrace curiosity. Whether it was the summer I collected toads as pets, or when I rushed home from the library with a chemistry book anxious to mix up a spice concoction in a Dixie cup, I was always curious about the world. 

Recently in reading Brian Grazer's and Charles Fishman's book, A Curious Mind: The Secret to a Bigger Life, I came across the idea that,

 "You're born curious, and no matter how much battering your curiosity has taken, it's standing by, ready to be awakened."

I've found in my rush to adulthood that I left behind some of that pursuit of curiosity, and I regret that. That childlike wonder of our world really is something that should not be abandoned. 

It is through this curiosity that we find ourselves asking a miriad of questions. However, these questions might have been met with annoyance or ridicule in the past. Perhaps this is the battering that Grazer and Fishman refer to? 

However, this innate curiosity really is kind of like the cherry on the top of life. Curiosity can result in pure joy, something that is worth pursuing. In the spirit of Curious George take back your curiosity today!

Creativity Suggestion

Crochet or Knit- This is the perfect time of year to learn how to knit or crochet. I think crocheting is the easier of the two, but that might just be me. I learned how to crotchet using a book created for children so it was super easy, however I used You Tube to help me learn how to knit. Now I’m still a beginner when it comes to both, but this year I’m learning how to count and read a crochet pattern. I find both of these to be very relaxing, and just like coloring I usually do this while watching tv. Allow yourself plenty of time to get the hang of it, and don’t give up too soon. If you want they offer classes at places like Michael’s or Joann’s where you can get a more hands-on type of instruction. 

Q