On the viability of an idea, a wise man once told me: “I take every good idea and blow holes in it.”  It sounded pretty insane to me at the time.  Everyone has a bit of self-consciousness, even an inferiority complex to a certain degree.  Why develop that?

Negativity is never in short-supply.  You don’t need to encourage anyone to criticize you – most will even do it for free.  I have never met any successful people in any walk of life who didn’t meet with a great deal of adversity in some form.

But then I looked at his method from a self-preservation perspective.  He would pretend to completely hate what he created, and what was left was what was worth developing.  He wasn’t being his own worst enemy, he was being prepared.  By refining the idea, he was ready with the right answer to any potential glitch.  If chance favors the prepared, then it should be impressed as well.

So despite my creative nature, I will develop my business sense to include a dispassionate counsel.  A refined idea meeting a practical application beats blind ambition meeting a bird cage floor.

Tags: Art, encouragement, Life, planning, reflection, Teaching

A paranoid person remarked “someone always sees everything you do.”  Whether or not they meant “in public” or “in private” doesn’t concern me, but it does raise an encouraging idea.

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t appreciate some form of recognition – for any number of actions, professional, interpersonal, etc. It could be a public or private “atta boy/girl” but recognition equals good feelings.  Who wouldn’t want more of that?

So if someone truly sees everything you do, you could arguably rest assured they’ve seen the good things, right?

The question is, what’s stopping them from letting you know you did something good?

Why is it so easy to judge and condemn and so hard to offer a kind word?  If you’re a chronic “noticer” of good things, why haven’t you started the habit of complimenting them? 

I suggest we give in to our positive paranoia or validate that of others when encountering something worthy of praise.  I doubt you’ll discover anything but a need to be recognized, validated, even loved.  You may even be an answer to a prayer.  How cool would that be?

Ultimately, you find more of what you seek as well.  It may change your whole outlook on life and the whole of your philosophy if you engage in such a habit.  In short, you could change the world by willing it to be so.

GOOD JOB!

Tags: advice, encouragement, Life

As children, most of us had the fantasies about grandiose, heroic or romantic careers like doctor, firefighter, something with animals perhaps.  I never met a second grader with a practical plan – honestly, did you ever play “manager” as a kid?

But as we grow, mature, and illusions are spoiled, the plan changes.  The “paying the bills” jobs become the focus.  We’re burdened by what can seem to be  a prison sentence at times.  Some are even relegated to the “lifer” stigma.  I imagine that most people are not where they dreamed they’d be as a child.

But I write this to give encouragement and hopefully help you to see that even where you end up may be your destiny – and a good one at that.

For many work is just a means to an end.  The dreams shift to a different category.  For example, there is honor in being practical, responsible, providing for a family, etc.   For many, what work can provide as a lifestyle is the dream. 

There is honor in the product of your labors as well.  I’m thankful for many who provide essential goods or services - God forbid those goods or services stop.  Can you imagine your life without clean water?  Yet who dreams of working in the treatment plant?

Sometimes, the point is not about you at all, but the impact you have on others.  If you’re in charge, are you promoting a positive work environment?  (and by the way, if you’re in a positive work environment, have you thanked those responsible?)

So keep a focus on a bigger picture than your own cubicle.  There is always something to appreciate, be thankful for, or look forward to every day. Both negativity and positivity have power to affect not only your health and immediate environment but a ripple effect beyond your understanding.  Your legacy is in your choices.

Tags: attitude, career, encouragement, Life

Like many artists, I’m very sensitive to my environment.  Who I interact with, how the weather is, what’s playing on the radio and so on, are things that affect many of us creatives and non.  To recognize these influences and make a mental choice about how to deal with them helps keep focus, channel inspiration, and even turn a frown upside down.

But then there are rainy days, maybe even flooding your basement, compiled with a car overheating, coupled with a fight with the Mrs., exacerbated by the devaluing of society, adding insult to injury by the dismissive nature of non-creatives (or whatever combination piles up on you sometimes) and you’ll think “THAT’S IT!”

“What’s the point?  I’m taking my ball and bat and going home!  I give up, I’m going to find a mindless job, and work until I die!”

It’s easy to lose perspective.  It’s important to stop and count your blessings.  For example, the poorest person in America is still richer than most of the rest of the world. 

But success is a relative concept, isn’t it?  With a progressive society, comes progressively “raising the bar” – whether it’s done for us or we even do it for ourselves.

So what to do when you’re “full?” You “don’t want to play anymore?”

Hope and faith are a big key to overcoming adversity.  Our character is shown by how we handle pressure.  Leaders panic, but don’t necessarily show it.  Victors still fear, but know that success is worth the struggle.

And it’s important to have a good support network around you – Mom, friends, spouse, kids, whomever you can rely on to say “everything’s going to be all right.  Here, have some chocolate!”

But is that enough?  How do you truly overcome – spirit, mind, body, all of it?

Like our adversities which seem to pile up when we’re at our weakest, so too must our fight encompass all the areas under attack.

So, develop an “adversity emergency” kit and keep it handy.  Here’s one formula:

A c.d. with your favorite song to play on repeat

A big bar of chocolate

Your favorite scene from your favorite comedy movie on a DVD for instant playability

All the lights are on in the room you’re in

You have your best friend/mom/grandpa/etc. on speed dial

A bubble blowing kit

A collection of those squishy stress ball things.

Make sure you’re wearing comfortable clothes

Ignore or shut off e-mail/business phone/anything distracting

And do the above in any order OR all at once!  Granted, it may confuse the heck out of whomever is on the other line of your cell phone, but DO IT.

When depression attacks, fight back.  Recognize your limitations and “break the glass”

And your formula may be entirely different from above, but always have a good one – not one you’ve tired of.  Keep it original because your challenges are going to be coming from all forms and areas, I guarantee it!

GO ROCKY!!

 

 

 

Tags: advice, Art, creative, encouragement, help, imagination, support