Archive | August, 2007

Most artists tell me (and you) that art/music/writing is not a job … it’s a calling. And I know that to be true. Artists and performers who are creating projects tell me that do them because they must. This has nothing to do with the concept of success. It’s what Garr Reynolds refers to as The Creative Imperative.

He also addresses the concept of creativity as something that some people don’t believe they have. Gosh, folks, I thought we’d gotten past that myth a long time ago! How can anyone still believe that after all these years? Don’t we all know, by now, that we are, each of us, creative beings? Oh, well …

And last but not least, he cites a couple of videos … well worth your time.

Enjoy!

So many of us complain about staying focused. Believe me, I know how you feel. Some of us are just bogged down by the heat (it’s over 100 degrees this whole week here in the San Fernando Valley, California) and some of us are just distracted by wanting to look in the fridge for some new ideas. (Is that why we stand there holding the door open so long?)

Some of us work best in spurts … digging in and holding on for hours at a time until we collapse … others are best at setting a timer, and doing projects in smaller chunks, with pieces purposefully left over for the following day/week/month.

Kevin Cornell’s article, Staying Motivated, separates our projects into two phases … (1) getting started and (2) maintaining.

I especially like the idea of keeping track of where I’ve been and where I’m going. Often, we don’t realize just how far we’ve come until we look back.

Enjoy!

Some of you are already familiar with this incredible art/music confab called Burning Man that happens in the Nevada desert each summer (how much heat can you withstand?).

People camp in the desert (by the thousands) and experience some of the most daring art/music/sculpture … We hear it’s well worth the effort to go, but you really need to be very well prepared for the extreme physical conditions.

Here’s a recent article from Wired.com regarding this year’s upcoming event …
Crude Awakening arises at Burning Man.

Enjoy!

I found a little article through one of my favorite blogs, Lifehacker.com, and must admit I’m not sure I agree with this point of view.

It’s Working Closely Together Ain’t Productive by Jason Fried. You’ll see that Jason believes we’re better off, more productive, working alone.

My experience tells me that SOME people are ARE better off working alone, but this doesn’t apply to everyone. It’s such an individual choice.

It helps to know if you’re more of an introvert or an extrovert. (Take the Myers-Briggs test to know for sure. Or take the quiz on Keirsey.com) Naturally, introverts seek solitude, places to think and edit and try out new stuff, with no one else around during their creative process. It seems that introverts draw their energy from within themselves.

Extroverts, who draw their energy from outside of themselves, however, need to bounce stuff off their partners/colleagues on a regular basis. They’re the ones who are interrupting other workers with questions like, “What do you think if …?” or “How would it look if we …?” They are constantly taking your temperature … before adding any finishing touches to their project. They love to collaborate.

And then, of course, there are mixed breeds, blending a bit of both.

The article still deserves a mention … it’s a great topic, and open for comment!

Enjoy…

OK, I’ll admit it. John and I have a lot of stuff. If you’ve seen our garage, you’d agree.

And now that we’re preparing to move (only 20 minutes drive from where we are now), we’re having to deal with moving our stuff. So, we’ve been throwing a lot of stuff out.

Paul Graham’s “Stuff” article (a bit long) will inspire you to look at your stuff a little differently too …

Oh, and as a follow-up, be sure to get hold of George Carlin‘s CD classic audio-rap: “A Place for My Stuff.” At least, it’s very funny stuff.

Enjoy!

When he began college a few years ago, my nephew attended an orientation meeting for entering freshmen.

The guest speaker there said,

“Take a look around you. Look at the person seated to the right of you, and look at the person seated to your left. By the time you graduate, one of you will be doing a job that does not currently exist.”

So, maybe as some of you are entering school this Fall, you might keep this article in mind, from Wired Magazine:

How to Prepare for the Future’s Fastest-Growing Careers.

And, of course, this info is helpful to those of us who will continue to change jobs too.

Enjoy!

Are you able to guide yourself through your own dreams?

Here’s a step-by-step manual on how to have lucid dreams … something that some of us have been working on for a long time.

How to Lucid Dream …

Enjoy!

Check out this interesting and fun article (especially if you’re into marketing yourself or your work) by Michael Weiss for Slate Magazine.

What Not to Name Your Blog…

Enjoy!

OK, so maybe it’s because it’s the heat of the Summer … (assuming you’re in the same hemisphere I am) … or maybe it’s because I hear you, saying how you’d really love to spend more time on your art/music than at your day gig … anyway, this article might help. Especially if you take the Burnout Self-Test. Check it out …

How to Cope with Job Burnout

Many thanks to Lifehacker.com for this one.
[Photo I took in the garden of Heart’s Ease Herb Shop in Cambria, Calif. 2007]

Enjoy!