Posts Tagged ‘creativity’

Be The Brightest Shining Star In The Universe

Written on March 3rd, 2010 by George Napolino shouts

Burning brighter than the rest of the stars is all about getting ahead and performing better than the people you compete with at work, in life or your business venture. This subject should be of interest to anyone who wants to stand out and grow personally and professionally. The title is a modern day metaphor and a fresh new look at generating great ideas and the thinking skills needed to perform at a high level of competence.

It doesn\’t matter whether we like this or not, we all live in a highly competitive universe of stars. These kinds of stars symbolize your colleagues, your subordinates, your teammates, even ones bosses. Most of us compete in our personal ways using some process while attempting to stand out or get ahead in these galaxies.

A persons galaxy exists in a number of distinct universes. Ones world involves a person\’s job, the business in general, social clubs, in addition to some other professional activities and social groups. Your own galaxy would also include your organization.

So how does one pull themselves out of the pile of current talents, stars, fast trackers and wannabe\’s, which reside in your own personal galaxies? What is at the core, and what exactly is the catalyst behind stars that burn brighter? Here\’s how Jack Welch responded to, what could be described in his book as truly a career defining question; how do you separate yourself and get out of the pile? \”Ninety-nine percent of all employees are in the pile because they don\’t think. The first thing that you must understand is the importance of getting out of \’the pile\’. The hero is the one with ideas.\” -Jack Welch.

As a matter of fact, firms aren\’t willing to pay for mediocrity. Would you? If you ever were a business operator or higher level exec, you would not pay top dollar for the middle of the road, if you can pay top dollar for the high road! This is why you do not want to ever be happy being in the middle of the pile!!!

Ever speculate why some people are successful in their jobs, at work or in business, when some aren\’t? People who have great ideas produce superior careers, greater successes and salaries. That\’s a reality. Schooling, or lack of education, won\’t distinguish excellent thinkers with great ideas from middle of the road thinkers, and lack luster ideas. Nor will being intelligent or not being intelligent. Great thinkers utilize distinct skill sets, and just think in a different way than unsuccessful individuals, and that is proven in the degree of the ideas they produce.

The struggle for control and leadership around the globe has always been waged most efficiently at the idea level. -The American Covenenant. If struggle for control and leadership around the globe is staged at the idea level, doesn\’t it seem sensible that great thinking and ideas in small business may be the most reliable approach that makes you shine brighter than the other stars?

Companies pay for thinkers and great ideas. Great thinkers are excellent problem solvers, and they always provide ideas that help build an organization. These skills aren\’t taught through our school systems so it\’s not a matter of saying I don\’t have a higher education, or a degree that lets me compete on an even playing field with other people\’s great ideas.

Truth be told, companies aren\’t willing to pay for mediocrity. Would you? If you were a business owner or high level executive, you wouldn\’t pay top dollar for the middle of the pile, when you can pay top dollar for the top of the pack! This is why you should never be happy being in the middle of the pile!!!

The art of creativity, generating great ideas and great thinking are skill sets that are specific strategies, tools and core competencies. But these skill sets do not stand alone to make you effective. Creativity skill sets drive the engine of great ideas and great thinkers.

At the heart of generating great ideas and great thinking is creativity. You can\’t be very creative without this skill set and creative tools. Collectively, they broaden the Body of Knowledge (BOK) that makes up thinking, and also improves great ideas and improves your thinking.

The essence of creativity is much larger than the skill set it really includes, which is why some people don\’t see themselves as the creative type, even after they learn about the art of creativity. It\’s one more reason why those who think they are not creative say they can rarely come up with a good idea, let alone a great idea. The strings of great thinking, great ideas and creativity are bundled up with each other.

The best news about the art of creativity, great thinking and great ideas, is that everyone can learn these skill sets. In a short time, you can become very effective using these tools, strategies and resources on a daily basis.

In the end, discover the skill sets associated with creativity, great thinking and generating great ideas. You will no longer be a dim light on the horizon, but a glimmering beacon, and most importantly, you will be able to separate from your pack, and become the shining star in your own galaxies.

Want to find out more about being the brightest star, then visit the website to find the best thinking, creativity and idea skill sets you need for top performance.

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Creative Ways To Facilitate Creativity Coaching

Written on January 31st, 2010 by Tom Binnsno shouts

Learning to think of what other people wouldn\’t normally think of is a gift that can be borrowed. Even if you\’re not exactly an innovative person it isn\’t the end of the world. Being creative means you have to be ready to break down existing barriers of thought to pass on to a future of innovation. There aren\’t a lot of people who think creatively and that\’s why some people need creativity coaching. Work places are competitive places nowadays and it would be useful for someone to think differently.

Release your thoughts and expose them to the world. Thoughts come from deep inside our brains and they\’re the by-product of our knowledge. Now, if ones thought are never given the chance to walk free then they\’ll become paralysed and immobile. When thoughts are used to being censored the brain somehow finds no reason in thinking differently. Little by little express what you have on your mind and don\’t be scared.

Once you begin to embrace your open thoughts it is only natural that you should diversify and expose yourself to multiple points of view. Somehow the sub-conscious has a way of picking up on habits; characteristics and positive attributes from other people. Expose yourself to different music; movies; magazines; foods etc. This way your brain picks up on creative thoughts and attempts to make some of its own.

Children have a good sense of imagination because they aren\’t scared of doing things that adults are used to shunning. Take part in whatever they do and never dismiss any of what they do as being too childish or playful. You can learn a lot because children do as they please.

Creative people usually have a contagious creativity. Spending more time with innovative people will give you a peep into their lives and how they do things.

Keep a note pad and pen with you wherever you go. There will always be situations when you think of a brilliant idea that later slips from your head; it\’s best to be prepared. Even the most creative of people move around with devices for capturing innovative ideas.

Tom Binns is a comic and actor and runs a Creativity Coaching website.

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Three Essential Must Know Publicity And Book Promotion Media Strategy Tips

Written on January 19th, 2010 by Annie Jenningsno shouts

This publicity and book promotion article includes publicity media strategy and book promotion tips to use while working with the media and getting publicity for yourself. You\’ll learn the importance building expert status and of creating a media website that showcases your expertise, the importance of getting top notch testimonials to put on your site and in your media materials, why you should strive to know the news of the day so you can be a socially relevant book author and expert who can talk about the issues of the day. Plus you will learn why media training is a major key to your success.

Successful media outreach and publicity campaigns include several essential and basic tools of publicity strategy. The goal is to optimize your publicity and promotion strategy so you can access your target media and secure media opportunities for yourself

It is important to create an author expert media site that producers and journalists can go to in order to find out all about you. Include information about yourself, your media bio that showcases your previous media successes, your professional bio that includes your education, experience, accomplishments and credentials. Include testimonials from name brand sources so the media can get a sense of who you are through these testimonials

Become a socially relevant book author & expert. Know how to tie yourself & your book\’s messages into the news of the day. Be sure to blog on news events being covered by TV or other print media and internet sites. The blogging helps you create a working knowledge of the new of the day. Apply your knowledge and pack your blog posts with content as this helps develop your thoughts and creates expert status.

Get comfortable speaking to the media and sharing your thoughts by getting some practice and training before you get started with your pubicity strategy. Media training is the key to being ready to speak to the media in a way the positively showcase your talent and expertise. You\’ll want to show the media that you are media savvy, professional and are able to discuss your commentary with them.

Knowing the tools of the trade will help you avoid the mistakes that many authors and experts make in their publicity and book promotion efforts. Once you create and apply the publicity tools necessary you will be able to enjoy media exposure with confidence.

Annie Jennings is a recognized expert in marketing and promotion. To set up a free consultation please go to book promotion. To listen to audio recordings of marketing and promotion success please go to publicity. Click here to get your own unique version of this article with free reprint rights.

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Getting Introduced to Bookbinding

Written on November 12th, 2009 by Craig Bevishno shouts

Bookbinding is a not only a common hobby, but also for some people a wonderfully fulfilling trade that is practiced by thousands. There are few exercises that can blend a feel of the scholarly with the skills of a good handyman in one good artistic pursuit. This is why even in an age of machines and mass production, bookbinding remains a popular pursuit.

There are many ways to get started with bookbinding. One of the best ways can be to go to garage sales or auctions where old damaged books are sold. Make sure none of them are valuable antiques. Then practice repairing the bindings.

Many people self teach themselves when it comes to bookbinding. With a good guide or how to book, the proper bookbinding supplies, and a little bit of practice almost anyone can teach themselves over time to become a good bookbinder. Like many hobbies, it’s all about practice.

Bookbinding has a long and proud history, one that starts all the way back in the 2nd century in Egypt. Coptic bookbinding was practiced by the Coptic Christians in the area, and involved making folds on individual parchments, then sewing through the folds in order to make a larger book. This type of bookbinding lasted nearly one thousand years.

Following Coptic bookbinding eventually was long stitch bookbinding, a method that is often still used by bookbinders today. Long stitch bookbinding isn’t an exact process as there are more than one method that fall under this general style. The most notable part of this style is that the stitching goes through a slotted cover, which minimizes (if not eliminates) the need for glue.

While it might not be what you think of when you normally think of bookbinding, spiral bookbinding might very well be the most used method in the world. This is the type of binding that takes place for spiral bound reports, school histories, or even local cookbooks. Also referred to sometimes as “plastic coil bookbinding.”

This article has demonstrated just a few of the types of bookbinding that people practice. Do a little research to find the method that is most appealing to you and you may find a new hobby where you can truly see the results of your labor as they began to fill an empty book shelf.

If you want to learn more about book binding, please have a look at this page covering a wide range of topics, including book binding instruction.

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Seven Techniques To Beat Anxiety

Written on November 9th, 2009 by Tom Binnsno shouts

Today many more people suffer with anxiety than ever before. The causes can be numerous but the results are the same, it will bring unhappiness and stress. People in every country can suffer from anxiety, it doesn’t matter what their background or age. If you are one of these people then you only have two choices, you can let the anxiety take over or you can get back in control of your life. There are a number of useful techniques that you can use to beat the feelings of anxiety -

1. Try to control your thoughts at all times. You should not allow your mind to get full of negative thoughts, they achieve nothing. There are always positive aspects to everyone’s life; these are what you should be thinking about.

2. Try to stop yourself from having quick emotional reactions to situations. Learn to stay calm, composed, and practice self-discipline.

3. Do not to go to bed unless you are actually tired and will go to sleep. It is often the case that when we are lying in our beds our minds wander and then there is no outside stimulation to bring us back.

4. The moment you wake up you should tell yourself that it is going to be a good day. Having a positive outlook and frame of mind can actually result in good things happening to you. Be the creator of your day.

5. Keep yourself busy throughout the day. Usually we become anxious when we are idle. Start and end the day with activities that you enjoy doing. Also, even carrying out household chores can keep your mind off worrying. Usually when we are watching TV or browsing the net our minds do not wander so much.

6. It often helps to talk about our anxieties with a good friend. They will be able to see everything from another perspective and help to reassure us.

7. If there is an activity that you have always wanted to do, but never been able, then create a plan that works towards it.

For more information about Creativity Coaching get in touch with Tom Binns at The Creativity Practice.

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What Is Creativity Coaching And How Can You Get Involved?

Written on November 8th, 2009 by Tom Binnsno shouts

Creativity coaching is a way for a person to learn to reach their most creative and original self. This coaching is compared to a life coach but they focus more on creative works. It can help a person develop artistic and humanistic talents. This type of coaching helps a person push past the creative blocks that are hindering them.

There are many areas that an artist or writer may need assistance in. They may need a guide to help find the way to think bigger and brainstorm ideas for more meaningful projects. The coach can help enhance a person’s skills to make them more effective and therefore more productive in their endeavors. Assisting the struggling artist with learning to overcome anxieties, fears or doubt about their own work may be a goal that needs work on.

The coach can step back from the situation and give constructive opinions. They are a fresh set of eyes. They can listen to an artist’s project ideas. They can help the person take their obstacles and challenges and brainstorm ideas into turning them into opportunities.

There are many reasons why an artist or writer would seek out a creativity coach. Some of the reasons are to learn communication skills to be able to market their work effectively. It can teach a person how to set and achieve goals in regards to their work. It can teach the person strategies in how to effectively balance their creativity with the rest of their life.

Networking with other professionals in the artists’ field can also be a topic the coach can assist with. Creating a business plan, referring the artist to a funding source as well as helping them find a mentor can be tasks the creativity coach can do for the individual that can only help the artist go further in their career.

Now that the artist has decided that a creativity coach is what they need, the question becomes how you find the help. There are many ways to seek this type of coaching. There are even options at no cost like checking out a book at the local library. There are many books to choose from. A person can shop in a bookstore or online. A lot of the books have activities and exercises to get the creativity flowing again.

Some people feel more comfortable working with an individual. If so, a person can locate a creativity coach in their local area by going online. They can do a search through Google or Yahoo. Some coaches meet with the individual in person, come to the artists’ home or even do sessions on the phone. There are free sessions and ones that cost a fee. A person needs to inquire and do their research into which situation is best for them.

Creativity coaching is a way to assist an artist or writer with making a successful business out of their passion. There are many strategies and goals that can be targeted for working on. The coach can help the artist in many ways. Fees vary but with research a person can find one that will be ideal.

Tom Binns is a author and performer who has a business in creativity coaching

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Creativity Coaching and The Art of Supporting

Written on November 1st, 2009 by Tom Binnsno shouts

One of the essential roles of a Creativity Coach is to offer support and accountability and it’s support that a client needs most from a coach. Support feels most like compassion and kindness. Its hard for people to be kind and compassionate to themselves. They tend to beat themselves up and say tough words to themselves, especially if they have been failing in life for a while.

A Creativity Coach is someone you can talk to about your work. You can speak with one about the problems of your fading dreams, about the gap between your dreams and reality. A creativity coach is there to say, “I think you can do it and I’m here to help you” A creativity coach can also offer more practical help and unlike a psychiatrist can get more involved in your (creative) life. Often Creativity Coaches have an area of expertise and may help with certain aspects of the creative profession that you are involved in.

Support can mean different things to different people and the kind of support the coach offers is heavily dependent on the kind of creativity activity the Creativity Coaching Client may be involved in. It could be practical support like pointing a client in the direction of an arts website or it could be more psychological like for example working with negative self talk. It should also always be an attitude on the part of the coach.

Another way a Creativity Coach may offer support is by turning around to a client and suggesting to them [in a kind fashion] that they start a new routine like working first thing in the morning when they are fresh and still full of ideas.

Encouraging clients to accept the anxiety of creating is another way of offering support. In fact making a client aware of the anxiety of creating could be another as it’s not something that all clients are aware off.

Support can take many other forms like asking them to think and reflect on a much deeper level. Asking a client to forgive himself Making sure they know they can do it and that it’s not too late to achieve there dreams.

For more details about Creativity Coaching contact Tom Binns at the Creativity Practice.

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