creativity

days 8-13 – the quiet before the storm.

by aileen on July 26, 2011

I know I have been quiet. Sometimes you get too busy doing to write about doing. I committed to writing about this experience and so I’m back.

I have a new project that I’m set on doing. It’s an idea that might fail (those are the best kind) and I’m going to need others to make it happen (those are the scary kind).

I’m at the stage where I’m getting everything together behind the scenes which is why you haven’t heard from me, but I’m still here and I’m still being deliberately creative. Someone asked me yesterday, over coffee, “Where do you get all these ideas?” and I replied in my standard manner “Oh, that’s the easy part” – I was wrong, I defaulted to a standard answer (as we often do). They come from training your brain to think that way, they come from noticing the world, they come from being deliberately creative.

My first semester at college changed my life. They taught us to think of ideas, in fact that was all we did – and we were judged on it. I wish I could do that time over again – I wish I could analyze what we did. How I worked and how others worked. When it comes down to it the only way to think of ideas is to think of ideas.

I’m sorry I’m not revealing all on here, in my head I was intending to share it all, but sometimes ideas need some time to incubate before they are launched on the world. Today I will be making a timeline for that – working out what I need to get in place, and when. It’s getting close to time to share this idea, to let it out into the world and see if it flies or sinks – either way I’m going to learn a lot about me, about you, and about the world.

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day 6 – sharing

by aileen on July 19, 2011

Being deliberately creative takes a combination of thinking alone and sharing. Day 6 was a sharing day. I talked ideas with friends in person, over skype and via text – there are so many ways to share these days. I didn’t have “an idea” but I had an idea what I wanted to have an idea about. Then last night it struck me, – this may be ‘the idea’, it may just be the ‘next idea’ – or it may be the idea that leads to ‘the idea’ – who knows.. but it is firmly planted in my head and growing rapidly.

So the idea is…..

No, not ready to share it yet, but believe me, you will hear about it. There are lots of clues in this post – but clues are no good unless you know what you are looking for. So today, go and share your thoughts, your ideas, you thoughts, yourself – you’ll be surprised at what happens!

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Days 4 & 5

by aileen on July 18, 2011

This weekend I decided I would spend the time preparing my space, my equipment for what is brewing in my mind… yes that’s the gurgling sound you can hear when everything is quiet. It’s a kind of ‘build it’ and you can’t afford for it not to happen.

I got my current computers hard drive and memory upgraded – and ordered a new second screen (bigger) and a new (well, refurbished) macbook pro.. yep I went all out. I have decided to subscribe to the new Adobe stuff – all of it. It’s been a back and forth decision but I have decided that, although, yes it’s cheaper to buy it in the long run, this gives me a chance to have it all, play with it, learn (some of) it, and really see what I use and what I don’t. It’s time for me to play catch up in the software stakes.

I don’t want to be a graphic designer again, but I do want to use all the new technology to communicate – in a whole new way. I plan on using a whole lot more video, graphics and creativity. I want to combine that with my obsession with business, communication, connection and company culture.

Weekends are a great time to let things stew in your head, you can relax with friends and family and just let your ideas brew for a while.

This could be dangerous!

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Day 3 – Noticing the creativity around you

by aileen on July 13, 2011

Yesterday was about noticing the creativity that people use without even labeling it as such. I was at an event at a large company and before and after I spoke I watched:

People thinking on their feet and making spur of the moment decisions- that’s creativity.
Adding value to the customer experience – that’s creativity.
Writing on the paper table clothes to say ‘good morning’ and later, ‘thank you for coming’ and ‘we’ll miss you’ (See the message they wrote for me below)- that’s creativity.
Finding solutions to customer problems – that’s creativity.

Once you start looking you see it everywhere. Once you see it you start by wondering what else could happen. Start by asking What If…..

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Day 2 – fit to be creative.

by aileen on July 13, 2011

If we want to be creative on a consistent basis we need to have a strong mind and as much as we try and pretend otherwise part of having a strong mind is having a strong body. I know that when I’m tired and lets face it – fat, I am less creative, less driven and less successful.

This is our only body, if we are not going to look after it then who is. So today let’s get moving, and keep it up every day. I’m taking a creative approach to this so I’m trying some new stuff… while you are walking, or lifting reps exercise your mind too. Make up new colors from things that you see, or challenge yourself to name as many types of blue (or another color) as you can imagine between each rep. I did it yesterday – you quickly run out of sensible ones and it’s quite funny to see what you come up with. I found myself thinking of drainhole gray, dirty car white, kinda blue, industrial moss green…. you will be amazed at what you come up with.

I know I am motivated by words so last night I went into my Gym (or the secret room as my husband calls it) and put up the phrase below

It’s true. Your Habits Show. We can tell who is working out and who isn’t – it doesn’t really matter what they say, your habits show. It’s time for me to stop kidding myself that ‘I’m quite fit really’ and get into working out consistently. My body deserves it. My creativity needs it.

I know it will make me a better speaker. Hold me to this!

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Forty Days of Creativity – Day One.

by aileen on July 12, 2011

Day One

This is an experiment in creativity. Deliberate Creativity.

I have been researching, writing, reading, ok yes – obsessing about creativity in business for a while. Not just for those business who have to be creative on a daily basis but those that don’t (but could really benefit from it). I have lots of ideas so what better than to try them myself daily and work out what works. I have no idea where this will lead but I intend to have a lot of fun finding out.

I wanted to share some of this journey with you. Some of the things I try I’d love you to try too, I will (if this all works) be creating some products (maybe a book, ecourse & of course a speech / training) but that’s not the point right now. The point is to experiment with being deliberately creative.

I started my career as a Graphic Designer, apparently from the time I was 3 or 4 years old I used to tell my parent I wanted to “draw Cornflake Boxes” when I got older. Through my teenage years it was my complete focus. I was the first in my family to get a degree (yes, in Graphic Design) and I loved every minute of working in the industry…… but then I began to notice something else. This was a business. This was about clients and productivity and end product. At college no one had mentioned that – they were all about clever ideas and great looking design.

I became obsessed with the client presentation (yes I’ve always been the obsessive type) and why they liked some design and not others. I loved packaging design more than logo design because the success or failure didn’t depend on people thinking it was ‘pretty’ or ‘cool’ – it depended on sales figures. Yes, I got to draw cornflake packets. Yes it was everything I’d dreamed it would be.

Then my career took a turn. I was freelancing as a designer and working at a couple of London Colleges teaches Graphics. One day someone entered my classroom and asked if I could cover a class that afternoon… in Communication. I agreed and my life changed. (Skip long story here) Gradually I became a speaker, winning the Best Humorous Speaker in the UK and Ireland title in 2000.

I have always stayed creative, my speeches have always been very visual and my home is full of design. Lately it’s been bugging me, leaping out of every crevice, it’s time to let it have a more important role, an upfront position in my business.

So this is the blog of the experiment. 40 days to test what I think I have learned in the last 40 years.

If you have read this far, congratulations. Today I am starting my day by re-reading one of my favorite very small books by Seth Godin. GRACEFUL – It’s a simple little book with powerful messages- It’s only $2.99 from Amazon (kindle edition) – It should put me on the right track.

As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments as I go through this process, I’d love to hear how creativity plays a role in your business and whether you leave it to chance or have a system to make it happen and make it brilliant.

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A reminder to be OPEN

by aileen on July 11, 2011

Last week I bought an ‘OPEN’ sign from a business that had closed (ironic) and I couldn’t resist altering it slightly. I painted out some letters and used a dremel to carve out some new ones. It’s not perfect, but it doesn’t have to be. It now hangs in my office to remind me to be OPEN. So now for the before and after pics…

BEFORE

NOW

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Publix – I think I love you

by aileen on April 30, 2011

This weekend I’m at the beach with some girl friends. I always love to get away to the sea and the beautiful white sand, but when I hear Florida I get extra excited. It means I get to go to my favorite ~~packaging museum~~ supermarket, Publix. I used to be a packaging designer and the love for it never left. Publix has simple own label packaging throughout the store that would make my food cupboards look as minimalist as the rest of my house but their cookies and snacks also have humor – perfect for tempting you to buy. I spent the whole time running around taking photos…here are a few for you to enjoy.

Next time I go I may need a truck so I can bring everything home. Even the packaging that didn’t make me laugh makes me smile. I could shop there until the cows come home.

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The outtakes

by aileen on February 23, 2011

We had a lot of fun on our recent shoot for USING PEOPLE – THE EXPERIENCE. Here are some of the outtakes. Enjoy, and don’t forget to buy your ticket.

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Are you afraid?

by aileen on February 22, 2011

Here is this week’s column in The Advertiser – I wrote it for myself as much as for my readers.

“Are you scared? I hope so. Not afraid-scared, but out-of-your-comfort-zone, taking-some-risks, knowing-you-are-really-alive, kind of scared. It is a good fear that comes with living your life to the fullest.

We all play it safe sometimes, but there’s nothing like taking a step toward something you want, or even away from something you don’t.

For the past few weeks, a lot of people have been glued to “American Idol,” and especially to local boy, Jacee Badeaux. We are watching him take his chances to achieve his dream, and whatever happens, his life will never be the same again.

This week I spoke at a meeting of The 705, Acadiana’s Emerging Leaders, a group for young professionals and was amazed by their drive and energy. There are some people in that group living on the edge of their comfort zones; they are on the fast track to success.

It’s scary to put yourself out there, to say ‘this is what I want’ or ‘I think I’m good at this.’

There will be people who laugh behind your back, people who resent you for changing, and people who support and love you. You may drift away from some friends, and toward new ones.

People think that because I am a motivational speaker I don’t get scared. Of course I do. How could I speak about this stuff unless I lived it too? How could I know about overcoming doubt unless I had to do it myself?

We see ourselves from the inside, and others from the outside and then we compare the two. We think everyone is more confident, braver and less worried than we are. We all have those emotions; the secret is to acknowledge them and carry on anyway.

Doubt only hurts you if you let it prevent you from doing what you want. Other people can only hurt you if you value their opinions above your own.

If you are one of the lucky people who know what your passion is, or if you have a dream, then do something, anything. Yes, it’s going to be scary at times. Do it anyway. Imagine how scary it will be in 10 years, when you look back and realize the only person holding you back was you.

You have to stand in your own truth. That’s a very Oprah way of saying it, but it means that you have to know who you are and be that person. Jacee became a national talking point when he stood by who he was on “Idol,” when he didn’t let the behavior of others bring him down.

Yes, he shed a few tears, and then he got on with it. He didn’t even feel the need to put others down. It showed great character and won our hearts.

Collect people who are taking steps toward their dreams. Learn from (or go and join) The 705, watch Jacee on “Idol,” and then take your own steps.

I wish you much fear in the months ahead. The good kind.”

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