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In the first post of this series, we explored a list of things, forces, people and situations to “actively listen to” so you could grow your creative practice. In the second post, we explored a list of things NOT to listen to for maximum creative output. In this third and final post on creativity as active listening, I wanted to share a few observations from my own creative practice,…

My parents’ favorite childhood tale to tell – mainly to embarrass me, I assume – is called “The Hand Raiser.” (Apparently) when I was four years old, my folks used to watch my pre-school class through a one-way mirror. The school I attended provided an Observation Room so parents could observe their kids completely without distracting students or teachers. Ultimately, the goal was to present them with a clear…

WARNING: Over rehearsing may cause you to leave some of your best stuff in the green room. Sure, you can rehearse a little bit. So you prepare. Go over stuff. Try a few things out. Practice here and there. But you never over rehearse. Save THAT steam for the stage. Reserve your best juices, your strongest emotions and your most gorgeous extemporizations for the main event. The real deal….

Just finished a workshop in Sandusky with my YMCA friends in the Great Lakes Region! We had a blast, learned a lot, and enjoyed an unexpected amount of “poop in the pool” jokes. We also stayed at the Kalahari Resort in Sandusky. It’s pretty much the coolest place I’ve ever stayed at. Sadly, I was unable to use any of their indoor waterpark facilities. Dang it. The good news…

As an entrepreneur, my decision making-process is usually based on self-questioning. So, anytime I take on a new project, trudge forward with a risky endeavor or discover a new way to diversify my company, I start grilling myself. What can I say? I’m obsessed with questions. (As if you didn’t already know that.) I collect them. I write about them. I have a huge crush on them! BUT MOST…

Tonight I’ll be hosting a teleseminar on SpeakerNet News. Here’s what it’s all about… How to Build Your OWN Online Video Platform. YouTube is for losers! Video isn’t the future — it’s the PRESENT! Unfortunately, because video is so ubiquitous and easy to do, the bar has been raised. And the concept of ‘some guy in a room holding a camera,’ isn’t going to cut it anymore. You need…

Imagine you’re a prehistoric hunter. Your mate is fast asleep in the cave. The sun is coming up. It’s time to kill breakfast! Out in the prairie, you wait. Silent. Motionless. Anticipating even the slightest movement. Because you’ve learned (in your experience as a prehistoric hunter) … ANYTHING that moves is a threat to your survival. It could be a lion. It could be a woolly mammoth. It could…

You’re an artist. You work at home. You’re self-employed. You have no coworkers. You attend very few meetings. You wear your pajamas all day. Your studio is your spare bedroom. Your work includes LOTS of solitude. You have clients, but you mainly interact with them via email or phone. Well then. A job description like THAT can only mean one thing: You need to get the HELL out of…

People are often stunned when I tell them I’ve actually forgotten to put on a nametag before. “No way! You!” they gasp. “Well, yeah. I’m human,” I explain. But it happens. Every once in a while I’ll walk out my front door, or get into the car or be halfway to Starbucks when I look down at my shirt and say, “Ah crap, I forgot my nametag.” Of course,…

In the first post of this series, we explored a list of things, forces, people and situations to “actively listen to” so you could grow your creative practice. Next, let’s work counter-intuitively. Here’s a list of six things (NOT) to listen to for maximizing creative output: 1. Don’t listen to that evil little devil of procrastination. Because resistance hath slain an endless list of would-be artists. And in the…