The Profit Prophet

I was recently reading a "How To" by Hugh MacLeod (the founder of gapingvoid ) and it occurred to me that I also have a short list that I have learned about creativity, and I will share it below (some Hugh & I share BTW).  My list follows: How to be creative my Hugh MacLeod 1: Do Not Listen to Naysayers 2. Surround yourself with free thinkers 3. Make lots of mistakes (this is real creativity) 4. Practice, Practice.. see #3 5. Sing in your own voice (do what YOU want to) 6. Make your OWN mistakes 7. Do NOT think of what cannot be done...just do it 8. Focus on the art 9. Do exceptional work for the few who will appreciate it 10. Put all your heart into it. 11. Make sure what you are doing is really different (no copies) 12. Be original..rather than a poor copy of someone else 13. Realize that what you are doing is a gift..you may get nothing for it, but do it anyway Sorry, that is it...short and sweet...just do it...there is no 2nd place for doing 1st rate...

You know, the BIG NEW thing nowadays is creativity in the workplace. Companies of all sizes are asking how can we come up with new ideas, or get our employees to be more creative, or somehow come up with more ideas on how to solve problems...And that's the rub! The more you try to FORCE creativity, the less creative you are..but have you ever noticed how children have NO PROBLEM with being creative? In any case, I thought this little story about how a father sees his kids seeing the world might shed a little light on the subject. Through Their Eyes - author unknown When I look at a patch of dandelions, I see a bunch of weeds that are going to take over my yard. My kids see flowers for Mom and blowing white fluff, you can wish on. When I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me, I see a smelly, dirty person who probably wants money and I look away. My kids see someone smiling at them and they smile back. When I hear music I love, I know I can't carry a tune and don...