Eleven

The way I remember it, being a kid in 1970 was a lot easier than it is today. On any given summer Saturday I'd devour a couple bowls of Captain Crunch, watch my favorite cartoons, jump on my Stingray bike and go explore the world.  I was reminded recently how I'd return home, usually just before dark, to my mom asking me the same old question: "Those are new jeans. How in the world did you get holes in them already?" She couldn't stay upset with me very long. I was a boy doing boy stuff. More importantly, I was her boy. 

Eleven

When Does a Vision Become Out of Reach?

When Does a Vision Become Out of Reach?

Creativity - Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Our future is closely tied to human creativity. The result will be determined in large part by our dreams and by the struggle to make them real.

The profundity of this work is validated by the widespread references attributed to Csikszentmihalyi's insights. Several other books I have read refer to various pages and quotables found within the pages of Creativity and Flow. The book was organized like a scriptural lodestar for creativity.

The early chapters establish the historical context for the value, evolution, and impact of creativity. Like a first act, we learn about the characters and dynamics of a world where creativity touches every domain, field, and person of the human race.

Act two leads the reader on a dramatic journey of influences, struggles, and restictions. Sort of like the conflict of external and internal forces that either squelch or squelch the Creative in societies where conservative rules must apply so society does not dissolve "into chaos" (page 41).

Act three offers the Creative, whether professional or the average person, a glimpse of society without creativity and how to manage the environment to kindle the flames of creative energy.

I found Creativity a stimulating read with treasures of insight to inspire and provoke. Creativity will become a tattered fixture of my library.

ALT isn't just a key before CNTL+DELETE

Before I make a note about anything else I have to say this "I LOVE MY JOB!" When I decided to pursue my dream July 2008, the course change from my Business Development path included a part-time paying gig as trainer. The other part- time work (non-paying so far) was screenwriting (wrote four so far). Following the conscious decision to look for a trainer job, after eight months of unemployment following ou shop closure, I had a job as a trainer within two weeks. There really is something to be said for following your heart. I am proof of that premise.

The connection of trainer to my dream realization is still percolating. What I can see with my low beams are mile markers that validate I am on the right track. This week I am in Memphis participating in an Achieve Global trainer certification session. Today we covered some fundamentals of Adult Learning Theory (ALT) -- or -- "What do you mean you don't want to be talked at like a kindergartner?"

We all have our preferences for the way we receive information. The three basic styles of learning are visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. To assist a group of adults achieve a common objective, a trainer is mandated witht the task of using tools and techniques to engage the adult learner. I discovered today that I am kinesthetic learner. What does that mean? I dig being involved, high on autonomy, and active. The environment was friendly for all three learning styles. For this guy, I played with clay, pipe cleaners, doodled, and all sorts of other mind engaging activities. The cool part? I was encouraged to do so.

Clay and pipe doodles made during class

Several authors describe the educational system of yesteryear (oops... do they still exist?) wherein the instructional delivery system is based on a knowledge transfer via lecture and written exams. I did horrible in the public education system. I suspect most kinesthetics do. I doodled and got branded as a day dreamer and neerdowell. Sheesh! If I night dream how the heck am I supposed to remember or enjoy the dream?

That is probably why I enjoy author Dan Pink so enthusiastically. He speaks-a-my-language. In his book "Drive" he tackles the issue of what really motivates us. In the language of ALT, we have different learning style preferences. In the language of Motivation 3.0 Pink concludes that we are motivated by something beyond the rewards and punishment systems of the Industrial Age. He writes that autonomy, mastery, and purpose are our primary drivers. The bells are ringing people!

The greatest moment of my day was the discovery that freedom to create while in a traditionally structured environment is liberating. To know how you learn best is key to unlocking your creative self. Imagine the power of unleashing that creative force into your life, relationships, community, and workplace. Pink writes "When the cold front of demographics meets the warm front of unrealized dreams, the results will be a thunderstorm of purpose the likes of which the world has never seen." Unleash the tempest!

Stimulaters for Successful Thinking

Here are those reviews I promised. Little and large influences to stimulate thought.

Why Now is the Time to Crush! it! by Gary VaynerChuk

Web 2.0 and the associated applications of social media may not interest everybody, but if you are in business the do and will affect you. Of course social media interests me because that is the place I can engage people with similar interests, passions, and goals. Vaynerchuk realized his passion and it became a multi-million dollar business.

Although he has done well at it, he offers a caution to new entrants. Essentially, don't get into it just for the money. Authenticity is critical and insincere carpetbaggers can be sniffed out in a minute. Capture the wave with a surfboard on which you can ride all day. Then let people enjoy YOUR ride

Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell

Always a proponent of the "anything is possible" philosophy, I was at first glance apprehensive with Outliers. The book begins with the Outlier group of the genius genus. Not having an IQ of 190 or ever likely to reach that lofty measurement, I waded into the audio reading with some red flags.

Gladwell then took a dramatic turn by highlighting the historical violence of Harlan County Kentucky and factors that may have influenced that feuding culture. By that time I was caught. Outliers paints a realistic picture of conditions that shape our worldview.

The key to Outliers is captured in Marita's Bargain. Gladwell writes "Outliers are those who have been given opportunities -- and who have had the strength and presence of mind to seize them." We all have opportunities. Some more than others. How do you know if that next opportunity won't lead to something that places you in the chronicles of the Outliers?

The Innovation Zone:How Great Companies Re-Innovate for Amazing Success by Thomas Koulopoulos

Koulopoulos offers some valuable insights regarding innovation. The writing style is strongly knowledge-transfer oriented. Although there are numerous annecdotal references, I found the strict data transfer disengaging. Those that dig lists and norms should enjoy this read. Where I found enjoyment was reading between the lines. 

For instance, the section regarding the culture of innovation tapped the role of mentoring and training. Koulopoulos writes "A culture of innovation requires maintenance." That started me on a line of thinking regarding integrating a cultural orientation of innovation through training techniques, style, and content as it relates to organizational goals.

Tribes by Set Godin

Tribes is a manifesto for the heretic of the status quo. Godin compels the reader to consider their role and perhaps ultimately their responsibility to lead in this changing world. In some places Godin acts as a cheerleader for the subjugated heretic (one that opposes the status quo of entrenched ideology). In other places, he attributes the maladies of creative stagnation to those that have surrendered to compromise and safe paths. I'll be quoting from Tribes often.

A Thousand Clowns  by Jason Robards, Barbara Harris, Martin Balsam

Caught this film on TCM. Comedy writer, Murray Burns (Jason Robards) escapes the monotony of the ordinary by his unorthodox approach to life. When social services -- welfare -- sends a team to remove his nephew (Nick, Theodore, Max, etc), Murray must decide whether to return to his old rat race life versus losing his nephew to maintain his lifestyle.

Murray is contagiously optimistic, infecting all but the most stubbornly sober. His old relationships want to cage him in with their perception of who he was before his epiphany. His new relationships want to shape him into a new man. All the while his nephew idolizes Murray as his inspiration. A neighborhood hollering Don Quixote that resists the status quo.

I want to get a hold of a script. There are some wonderful memorable quotes. My favorite quote comes from Murray's brother Albert (Martin Balsam ..he won an Oscar for his role).  [To Murray] "You're not a person, you're an experience!" Albert Burns

"Oh, there you are, Peter!"

"Oh, there you are, Peter!"

Pockets to adult Peter Pan from Hook

Pockets' confidence in the identity of Peter Pan in the film Hook came about when he smooshed Peter Banning's face into a smile. He exclaimed "Oh, there you are, Peter!" This is the response I want to enjoy everyday of my life. More so, I want to be a Pockets for somebody and help them smile at the discovery of finding their creative and youthful self. That is the Pan-like quality that makes life magical.

Over the past several weeks I have thrown myself into building a Twitter presence by following artists, writers, cartoonists, illustrators, Internet entrepreneurs, creatives, and a gaggle of other interesting people. The process is time consuming, stimulating, and encouraging. The more I brush against people in cyberspace, the more I find the little frustrations and obstacles of day-to-day living become less of an aggitation. When you know what you are going to say (write) doesn't have a digital expiration date, you tend to be more thoughtful of what you communicate. What a concept! Thoughtful communication.

My blogging took a bit of a side trip the past few weeks, but I am confident that the experience was valuable. Tomorrow I will post some reviews of books and movies I consumed of late. At the moment those insights are on my Facebook and LinkedIn pages.  This blog is not about reviews, but I think it is important to appreciate those elements that influence a person's creative journey.

I hope that as a reader of this blog you will begin to interact with me regarding your own creative journey. Make no mistake, you are on a creative journey. The question is whether or not you are effectively reading the map to your destination.

A Starting Line Perspective - Again

Have you ever hit a mental wall that seemed to just knock your brains out? Unlike colliding with a physical wall that jars your body with pain and lingering aches, a collision with a mental wall tends to sap your energy and passion. Here is a short list of some symptoms that you may have hit a mental wall:

Sleeplessness. This might be self induced as you stay up late watching television, plunking on a keyboard, or some other mindless occupier of time. It might also come as the result of a change of diet. Sugar or caffeine highs that buzz through your brain to steal the rest needed for mental recovery.

Loss of Passion. The reality phenom Survivor is in its twentieth season. One recurring challenge is the variation on the endurance game. Competitors that press on to the end are driven to do by either a drive for the prize or fear that without immunity they will be the next victim tribal counsel. Do you feel a loss of passion of late? Can't seem to force yourself to get back to that script? Art work? Technical writing or white paper? Dude, you hit a mental wall.

Powerlessness. King Solomon is attributed with the proverb "hope deferred makes the heart sick." Change the word sick for weak and you have the root of powerlessness -- hope prolonged from delivery. There is a direct correlation between the length of time it takes to turn your actions into a reward and rebound.

In competitive sports there is a common phrase for the failing to progress. It is called "hitting the wall." The wall is that mental or physical barrier that is set just before the finish line, goal, or record to break. Breaking through that wall may seem a minor feat. Unless you want to brand yourself as a standout.

The difference between winning a race and breaking a record is milliseconds. Maxie Long won the 400m in the 1900 Olympics with a winning time of 47.8 seconds. The best 400m time was run by Michael Johnson in 1999 at 43.18 seconds. A difference of 4.62 seconds. You can credit equipment, training, diet or whatever for the new record. But after a 99 years, winning runners were only able to shave about 4 to 5 seconds from Long's time.

For weeks now I have languished in a sense of powerlessness. I lost sleep because I allowed mindless things to occupy my attention. My passion has suffered. I lost ground (and gained pounds) with my exercise regimen, have not written on my scripts for months, and let my blog lay dormant for nearly a month. BAM! A mental wall. All the aches and pains of crashing into a brick wall are evidenced by the bruises in attitude, will, and creative energy.

What to do? Do like any athlete does that wants to be better or be the best. You figure out what you can to perform more efficiently and get back to the starting line. Looking down at that starting line may get old as you stare down at the goals in front of you for the umpteenth time. But you will never win your race unless you are willing to shake the sense of powerlessness that accompanies a collision with the wall inside your head.