December — 2009 — Third Thought

Personal Strategic Planning for Creative Types

8th of December ~

Despite the frigid temperatures (Really? Why is Portland, Oregon below freezing in the daytime??) this is one of my favorite times of year. Why?

Yuletide Traditions

Obviously, the Yuletide jolliness is enjoyable. Over the years I have learned to pace myself. The pacing began in my twenties when my poor husband begged me not to make all the gifts. Because I became a CRAZY Woman, embroidering and assembling until we left for Grandma’s house. Now I am more circumspect. What gets done gets done. If packages are late arriving to my family in Europe they will not die. They’ll have something to open during the post-holiday letdown!

Winter Stillness

This time of year is about patience. When I was a girl we lit an Advent wreath nightly and anticipated the birth of Baby Jesus. Today I still light Advent candles (so nostalgic) and I await the Return of the Light. December 21st, when the days begin to lengthen I am happy-wappy because I won’t feel like hibernating. Meanwhile, the cold, dark evenings slow me down.

Creative Planning

Dreams pass into the reality of action. From the actions stems the dream again; and this interdependence produces the highest form of living. -Anais Nin

Above all, my excitement builds all month as I initiate my annual strategic planning. I know strategic planning can be a BIG DRAG. It can also be really thought-provoking. I enjoy facilitating strategic planning offsites because they ARE difficult. But personal strategic planning is FUN.

Every year I make a personal plan and it’s amazing to me how many of my goals come through. Despite the fact that I am not a methodical person I get a lot done. So it’s always important to seed the brain and guide it in the desired direction.

Over the next few weeks I’ll be describing my process. I invite you to come along….

Embrace Your Inner Dork

1st of December ~

Years ago my children were discussing ‘theater nerds’ and how they found them annoying. I said, ‘That’s weird. When I was in high school theater, it was considered pretty cool.” They both looked at me without saying anything, the obvious hanging in the silence. I, too, was a theater nerd. I was also a dance dork. And I was in student government. Oh yes, I was cool.

I’m a grown-up now. A professional. And I am still enjoying expressing my other side. Furthermore, I think playing with crafts and joining bands are forms of play. And, as we all know, PLAY IS CRUCIAL TO CREATIVITY.

So I share my methods of play now.

Exhibit A: Crafts

I am making jewelry (cuz I love sparkly things!) and I am lucky enough to be part of an art collective. We are putting on our third annual Open Doors show and sale. If you are in the Portland area come and visit. The shopping is quite excellent.

Exhibit B: Get a Life Marching Band

My first gig with the Get a Life Marching Band was the Chinese New Year’s Parade in San Francisco last February. Regrettably, I don’t play an instrument. I am a dancer with the band (I come into the picture at 24 seconds, tall one in the middle of the back row).

Last Friday I marched with G.A.L in the local Macy’s Holiday Parade. And, yes,we used poms poms. Super fun!

So, in this season of extremes I encourage you all to blow off a little steam and embrace your inner dork. Really, it’s fun to play.

December — 2009 — Third Thought — Page 2 Third Thought