The secret to going after your creative dreams (from SARK)

 

Do you know the secret to going after your creative dreams?

Whether you want to paint, bake, dance, write, play an instrument or make a movie, do it badly, says SARK (Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy), who is known for her colorful, inspirational work.

You don't need to strive for perfectionism to make your dream happen.

In fact, doing things “badly” frees you to create, says SARK, the bestselling author, artist and teacher, who has helped millions of people learn to act on their creative dreams.

Do you know the secret to going after your creative dreams?
Whether you want to paint, bake, dance, write, play an instrument or make a movie, do it badly, says SARK (Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy), who is known for her colorful, inspirational work. You don't need to strive for perfectionism to make your dream happen.
In fact, doing things “badly” frees you to create, says SARK, the bestselling author, artist and teacher, who has helped millions of people learn to act on their creative dreams.
- See more at: http://www.spiritualcinemacircle.com/spiritual-leader/sark-susan-kennedy-video-interview#sthash.t1UUU5vV.dpuf

Do you know the secret to going after your creative dreams?
Whether you want to paint, bake, dance, write, play an instrument or make a movie, do it badly, says SARK (Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy), who is known for her colorful, inspirational work. You don't need to strive for perfectionism to make your dream happen.
In fact, doing things “badly” frees you to create, says SARK, the bestselling author, artist and teacher, who has helped millions of people learn to act on their creative dreams.
- See more at: http://www.spiritualcinemacircle.com/spiritual-leader/sark-susan-kennedy-video-interview#sthash.t1UUU5vV.dpuf

8 reasons I blog

What is a blog for?

It is for sharing.  But it's also for me.

I don’t just think it -- I ink it.

1. Reach out and seize the day.
2. Settle for more.
3. Get off the beaten path.
4. Make time for what you love.
5. Relish the joys of living and giving.  
6. Look for the good and you’ll find it. 
7. Open your arms and take it all in.
8. Life is the grand adventure and any life worth living is worth recording.

The inspiration behind great work

on Passion

"The only way to do great work is to love the work you do." 

-Steve Jobs

The idea behind responsiveness

on Responsiveness

"Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it." 

- Charles Swindoll

How to know if you're a leader

on Leadership

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." 

—John Quincy Adams

Encouragement for gratitude

on Gratefulness

"I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder." 

-Gilbert K Chesterton

6 key takeaways from "The Compound Effect"

Would you rather have $3 million right now -- or take 1 cent which would double every day for the next 31 days?

The answer had a dramatic effect on me.

And it was one of many takeaways from reading "The Compound Effect" by Darren Hardy.

Write out excuses

• Write 6-10 small changes to make
• Write 6-10 small things to stop

Choices

• Take 100% responsibility
• Track it

Habits

• If 1% off, L.A. to N.Y. (Albany and Delaware)

Focus of 3 best habits

“Clean house”

• Momentum

Rhythm register

Influences

• Peak performance partner(s)

Acceleration

• Where can you do more

5 takeaways from "The Reinventors"

Here are my top 5 takeaways from reading "The Reinventors" by Jason Jennings

• Make lots of small bets + S.M.A.R.T. bets
• Step “Skunking” bets with negativity
• Systematize everything
• Change the Experience by changing the environment
• Identify & enlist your critics

Creative inspiration in the kitchen

Really appreciate the creativity and craftsmanship behind our new kitchen counter and tiles.  

Thanks to our contractor, Verl, and the guys at Oregon Tile & Marble of Boise.

"600 creative minds strong, spread across continents, acting as one." - GYRO

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I love the copy is this ad. 

What A Time To Be Alive

The bright, new technologies of now are bringing humans together as never before.  In just one click, we can share our innermost thoughts with a million other minds.

We can swap pictures of kittens.  We can bring down governments.  We should feel like gods.  But somehow we don’t.

Because most what we feel is numb.

It seems we’ve switched on something that we can’t switch off.  The current of information is endless now; it knows where we work and it follows us home.  It bombards us with multichannel assaults on our time and attention, and the more it continues, the more desensitized we become.

So the big question is this:  In a world made numb by digital noise, what can any business or brand do to make itself relevant again?  Why should anyone care?

It is the question we reinvented our company to answer.

After three decades helping world-class businesses succeed, we have had the courage to change our culture.

Entirely.

The kind of ideas our clients need now can come from anywhere and take any form, so we’ve swept away the “creative apartheid.”

These times demand an agency with unconventional DNA, a collective team of influencers, curators, editors, thinkers, inventors and producers.

With all the energy, excitement and passion of a start-up – we have created a global ideas shop.

We are 600 creative minds strong, spread across continents, acting as one.  United by a single propose:  to produce ideas that ignite.

These unstoppable ideas, fired by emotion, are behind everything we want to achieve for our clients.  Emotion is the key to intimacy between businesses, brands and people.  It’s there in every choice humans make, whether they’re buying laptops or signing million-dollar contracts.

Ideas that ignite emotions are ideas that ignite business decisions.

And our right to exist as a company depends on our ability to find those expansive ideas – on every project we’re given and every single day we come to work.

We will never be afraid to do whatever it takes to make businesses and brands matter to people again.

WE ARE GYRO.

8 triggers to help you Breakout of the ordinary

Although it's impossible to draw up an exhaustive list of every activity or setting that may produce a breakout, each of the triggers mentioned below has worked well for at least some individuals.

In their book The Breakout Principle: How to Activate the Natural Trigger That Maximizes Creativity, Athletic Performance, Productivity and Personal Well-Being, Benson and Proctor present these among many categories that have demonstrated the power to stimulate the biological changes commonly associated with breakouts and peak creative experiences.

As you review these options, ask yourself: Is it possible that this approach, or something like this approach, would work for me?

  While at first these activities may seem totally different, they all have one major factor in common: the power to sever prior mental patterns -- and that's what the Breakout trigger is all about.

300 designers can't be wrong

Design professionals say they get their inspiration out of the office.

Where will you go today to be inspired?

83 Gallery event with Colors & Bottles: inspiring the creative side of my brain

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I really enjoyed my most recent painting event with Colors & Bottles held at 83 Gallery in the Short North district of Columbus.

This was my third time, and it keeps inspiring the creative side of my brain.

During this event, there was a specific painting taught by our instructor, Ratnamala, who is quite encouraging.

So when I wanted to interpret the painting in my own style, she said “whatever you wish,” then shared some tips to make me feel comfortable with my technique.

Colors & Bottles mission is to offer a relaxed, welcoming, stress-free, social art experience for anyone and everyone of all skill levels. Certainly that’s been how I’ve felt -- comfortable, social, no-pressure, encouraging, and entertaining.

It was great to meet and talk with Jessica Burley, founder and president of Colors & Bottles.  She is the heart, passion, drive and determination behind its success.

“I wanted to start an organization that not only offered an artistic stress outlet for people but I wanted to structure my business in a way that could create jobs for Artists and Art lovers,” Jessica says. “The idea of hosting events in various hip locations was a perfect, yet fun, solution to help support and grow local communities. This idea allows for our host small businesses to get people in their door to market, sell and promote their products. We truly believe that if everyone supports each other and works together than we can all help build strong, successful and happy communities.”

Colors & Bottles is now in 9 cities nationwide and employs 137 artists and contractors.

5 views on how to inspire team that's failed

What do you say to a team that has failed?

Here are five expert perspectives -- in their own words -- from:

1. Sam Calagione, Founder and President, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery  http://www.fastcompany.com/mba/profile/sam-calagione
2. Stephan Durach, Head BMW Technology Office http://www.fastcompany.com/mba/profile/stephan-durach
3. John P. Kotter, Chief Innovation Officer, Kotter International http://www.fastcompany.com/mba/profile/john-p-kotter
4. Joy Anderson, President and Founder, Criterion Ventures http://www.fastcompany.com/mba/video/mba1344/joy-anderson
5. Ann Hand, CEO, Project Frog http://www.fastcompany.com/mba/profile/ann-hand 

9 Environments that control you -- and how to take control of them

The environments that we live in—all 9 of them—either inspire us or expire us. 

They facilitate our success or they detract from our success. They energize us or they drain us. They relax us or they stress us. 

The good news, writes Jack Canfield, is that we have a lot of control of the environments that affect us. We can de-clutter our office, create better filing systems, paint a wall, redecorate a room, clean out the garage, join a health club, hire a personal trainer, buy a treadmill or some free weights, join a yoga class, join a mastermind group, move to a new area, take walks in the park, schedule more time with friends, stop hanging out with negative people, hire a coach, hire a financial planner, join an investment club, feng shui your home or apartment, or subscribe to a positive magazine. 

Jack  says, "While it is true that our environments exert a lot of control over our feelings and behavior, we have the power to create environments that positively impact us."

The only thing you can do to transform an environment is to add something (a new person, a new piece of equipment, a new belief), delete something (a negative person, the TV from your bedroom, a self-limiting belief, clutter), or modify something (paint a room, set a boundary with a family member, change where you eat dinner).

As you review the 9 environments that constantly surround you in your life, ask yourself:

"What could I add, delete or modify in each of these environments that would contribute to my success or enhance the quality of my life?"

See the full list at www.jackcanfield.com

Words that establish the Ripa Hotel brand: Words that matter

Earlier this year when I stayed at the Ripa Hotel in Rome, I was greeted each day with inspiring words – words that matter – all around the hotel.

Especially these words in the elevator:  Happy and Dream.

They helped set the tone for the hotel’s brand:  all the staff were friendly, courteous and helpful.  The buffet breakfasts started our morning with an ample selection of hot and cold foods, along with my cafe latte.

The Ripa is located close to the center of Trastevere.  Read more about its design and concept at ripahotel.com

I was happy with my visit.  And I dream of returning.

All this week, I’ve been blogging about words and how they matter in persuasive writing.

Alternatives youth program: Words that matter

The Chicago building that stands on the west side of Sheridan Road, one block south of Lawrence Avenue has some inspiring words – words that matter:

• Stretch
• Renew
• Trust
• Grow
• Share

This is the home of Alternatives youth development agency.

They offer comprehensive, multicultural programs serving more than 3,000 young people and their families each year.

The mission of Alternatives is to facilitate personal development, strengthen family relationships and enhance the community’s well being. Established in 1971 when the community identified substance abuse as a key issue affecting local teens, Alternatives is dedicated serving Chicago's at-risk youth and their families.

Their programs include counseling, leadership development, substance abuse and violence prevention, and academic enrichment.

The programs and services of Alternatives use an asset-based model that focuses on enriching young people's lives by building upon individual strengths within the context of their family and community. They help increase opportunities to succeed and grow as individuals and community members.

Most of all, they value the diversity of the communities – and so Alternatives will partner with more than 100 local organizations and schools.

All this week, my blogs will focus on "words that matter."  Here are some close-up photos of  the words on the Alternatives Building.

I like to sit back, relax and really enjoy my latte

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world, some say second only to water.

With shops like Starbucks on nearly every street corner (and other companies adding gourmet coffee to their menus) it's a sure bet that this is a drink that is close to everyone.

• When you have that first cup in the morning do you enjoy the flavor?

• Do you gently inhale the aroma that wafts from the steam coming from the surface of the strong brew?

• Or do you simply gulp it down while shouting at the kids to get in the minivan and looking for your car keys?

In this day and age it's getting harder and harder to take a few seconds to enjoy a good cup of coffee.

So, perhaps my blog today will inspire you to sit back, relax and really enjoy that cup of coffee.

Colors & Bottles: a social art experience

Last Sunday, Brian and I decided to express some creative energy in a different way.

We went to a Colors & Bottles painting event.

Colors & Bottles says its goal is “to offer a relaxed, welcoming, stress-free, social art experience for anyone and everyone.”  The afternoon lived up to our expectation of a very chill experience.  They genuinely supported everyone in their art – without judgment.

The C&B was a comfortable class for all skill levels. During our event, there is one specific painting shared for reference and taught by the lead art instructor.  We got an easel, brushes, paint, apron, water cup, palette, paper towels and anything we might have needed

Here are some pics from our day.

   

You can read what Val wrote on her blog “That’s What We Did” thatswhatwedid.blogspot.com