Our imagination can be used to imagine the negative, or we can turn our imagination toward the positive. “There will always be hurricanes.” ~ my son, Adam Schiffli I was enjoying a phone conversation with my son, Adam, listening to his warm voice and delighting in his news. After a few minutes, he announced he was…
creativity formula
Being An Outsider To Your Creativity
Being cut off from your creativity can feel like you’re an outsider in your own body. “If you’ve ever had that feeling of loneliness, of being an outsider, it never quite leaves you. You can be happy or successful or whatever, but that thing still stays within you.” ~ Tim Burton I grew up in Highlands,…
The Tyranny of Perfectionism
If you’re feeling stuck in your work, it could be the tyranny of perfectionism. “Nothing can be beautiful that does not take a calculated risk with ugliness.” ~ Alain de Botton “I can’t do it,” my client, Carrie said. “I mean I literally cannot even get started. The woman who routinely cranks out all kinds of…
Judgment and Journals
Judgment is the enemy of creativity. How do we manage judgment to let creativity flourish? “To keep a journal is to learn how to play. Deeply. Even when a page is recording hard, impossible things, if judgment is suspended, there’s always a surprise or shift. Connections made over time suddenly link, opening and transforming.” ~ Alexandra Johnson…
How to Thrive in Uncertainty
It can feel nearly impossible to thrive in uncertainty. Uncertainty is uncomfortable, even painful at times. “Pain is weakness leaving the body.” ~ Justin Taylor, personal trainer I grunted and snorted as I tried to do the “crab walk” across the gym floor. My arms and legs were already blown from 45 minutes of weight training…
How to Make Implementation Easy
Making implementation easy can feel hard. “Ideas are easy. Implementation is hard.” ~ Guy Kawasaki I looked out over the bright white sand to the turquoise water. Sandpipers raced toward the waves and then darted back away from the breakers. I was in the shade under a large, blue umbrella, kindly set up for me by…
