Activities to Support Your Practice

29 Ways to Stay Creative

2nd of February ~

I agree with everything in this video. Nicely done Mr. Not Famous!

Experience Innovation with Design Thinker

16th of November ~

Design Thinker is the most exciting program I’ve found in years to build INNOVATION CAPABILITY. I’m offering a public session in December and I think you should join us!

When: Wednesday, December 7th
Time: 8:30 am to 12:30
Where: The Standard, downtown Portland
Cost: $250

Does Innovation Matter?
The IBM CEO Study last year highlighted the need for creative leaders who can innovate. As Fast Company noted:

About 60% of CEOs polled cited creativity as the most important leadership quality, compared with 52% for integrity and 35% for global thinking. Creative leaders are also more prepared to break with the status quo of industry, enterprise and revenue models, and they are 81% more likely to rate innovation as a “crucial capability.

In short, innovation is your source for differentiation.

Why Design Thinker?

Design Thinking is a computer-based simulation based on the IDEO methodology. The problem solving approach works for systems, products, experiences and any other challenge that requires a creative approach. In three and half hours you will apply design thinking to a case study and practice new innovation skills. When clients are looking for innovation development I recommend Design Thinker as a good solution. Why?
1) The computer simulation is fast-paced, challenging and competitive. Participant engagement is extremely high.

2) The content goes far beyond traditional problem solving. It begins with a people-centered approach that challenges assumptions and gives practice in forming deep insights that lead to breakthrough ideas.
3) As solutions are developed we practice designing experiments to refine ideas. We learn to fail fast and fail early to strengthen the ultimate solutions.

People LOVE this program and I know you will too. You can learn more here or just drop me a note. I hope to see you!

A Sensory Stroll

22nd of September ~

Today or tomorrow… slow…down.
Practice focusing on what you are doing this very moment.

Give yourself 30 minutes to take an excursion while completely tuned to your senses.

To begin:

Formulate a question you want answered and then close your eyes. Allow yourself 60 seconds of total relaxation and let the answer rise up. Write down whatever comes–a feeling, an image, or a simple phrase.

Now, Take a walk. Walking is a wonderful way to become centered, focused and calm. Stop periodically to tune into your senses. Here are your prompts:

Look. When a scene becomes too familiar you may stop seeing your surroundings. Find another way to look. Choose a view and let your eyes go soft. Search for directional lines. Seek out a certain color. Observe how the light strikes a surface. Look only at the shadows or negative space.

Smell. Your sense of smell has close connections with the parts of the brain that process emotion and make associations. For that reason is is the most evocative of the senses–a mainline to memories. Seek out the scents that have associated memories for you: the smell of cinnamon, Mom’s perfume, play-doh. Or breathe deeply and identify the scents of your current surroundings.

Listen. We tune out sounds to keep our sanity. Yet, wherever you are, you are surrounded by sound. What do you hear?

Touch. Feel the nub of your sweater and the roughness of the concrete. Sweep your hand over a smooth table. Pet a dog or a cat and relish the soft, warm fur. Close your eyes and attune to your sense of touch.

When you have completed your Sensory Stroll you might want to go back to your original question. Now that you have had a chance to relax and allowed your brain to feast on new stimui you might have some new insights.

Or, you could just take a nap.

Daily Vacation Challenge

30th of June ~

Is your life savory?

By that I mean, do you spend enough time savoring the goodness in your life? Are you aware as you experience the pleasures of your life?

I know I don’t spend enough time savoring. And therefore I am embarking on a small challenge: I am taking a Daily Savoring Vacation.

The authors of Savoring: A New Model of Positive Experience suggest an exercise of taking a Daily Vacation Exercise.

Once a day for a week treat yourself to something pleasurable. Pay attention to the experience. Notice.

Here are the guidelines for the Daily Vacation Exercise. Download it and join me!

Focus!

23rd of June ~

I am easily distracted. Call me Magpie because I am irresistibly drawn to bright, shiny objects.

Here’s a video from our friends at Fast Company:

Ahhh, such good advice. From now on I am going to focus on one th—–whoa! What’s that? How cool!

Activities to Support Your Practice — Third Thought Third Thought