Creativity all around us...

Did you realize that there are opportunities to boost your creativity all around you?



One aspect of creativity is the ability to see things in a different way and because we often get into a rut where we simply do things the same way over and over again without thinking about them, it is important to break your pattern.



Take your living space for example. Do you always sleep on the same side of the bed? What would it feel like to wake up on the other side of the bed some morning? (Assuming someone is not already there ... although that might be interesting too!)



I noticed this phenomenon when I used one of my guest bathrooms today. I rarely, if ever go in there, but it gave me bit of a shift of perspective and helped me generate this blog post.



I know what you are thinking ... Shift Happens ! (or were you thinking that this post should be flushed?)



Seriously though... when was the last time you opened your eyes to the new experiences all around you? Take a new route to work ... or come home "the long way". Whatever it is, it will help rejuvenate you and... in the end... it will boost your creative energy !



Give it a try !

d.Mark Wheeler

“I took the road less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”
Robert Frost quotes (American poet, 1874-1963)

Creativity vs. Innovation ... by Hugh Macleod

One of my favorite bloggers about creativity (and marketing) is Hugh Macleod and his recent post explains his current view on the subject...

"Innovative" is an "external" word. It can be measured. It generally talks about things that have been tested properly and found to have worked in the real world. "Creative", however, is more of an "internal" word. It's subjective, it's murkier. It's far harder to measure, it's far harder to define. It's an inward journey, not outward. Which is why a lot of people in business try to keep the word out of their official lexicon, preferring instead more neutral, more externally-focused language like "Value", "Excellence", "Quality" and yes, "Innovation".

The trouble is, of course, that approach doesn't work as well any more. In this globalized, hyper-linked, internet-enabled world, "Boring" has suddenly become a very expensive luxury.

Do you REALLY think Apple is afraid to use the word, "Creative"? Do you REALLY think Steve Jobs goes around his office yakking on endlessly about "Value, Excellence, Quality and Innovation"? No, of course he doesn't. Apple's UTTERLY AMAZING design, business and marketing prowess comes from the UTTERLY AMAZING creative fire in their collective belly, not the other way around.

I want to make limited-edition prints that somehow, even in a small, indirect way, helps make companies and individuals less afraid, and more willing to be CREATIVE, more willing to embrace the CREATIVITY that they already have.
Because economically and spiritually, that is ultimately where our future lies, even if that idea sometimes terrifies us.

Go Hugh !

Here's a good idea...

Seth Godin comes up with lots of great ideas, usually related to marketing, but sometimes he strays into other areas... such as conference calls.

Seth's idea:
Combining a conference call with an online chat room. This helps overcome the problem of multiple people talking over each other on a conference call and not knowing who is speaking.

Click here for Seth's post.

Do you have a great idea to share with the world?

Blogger Hugh Macleod latest thoughts on Creativity

As Hugh says, "You either get it or you don't. You either feel it in your bones, or you don't. There's nothing to explain."

Here is a link to his blog...

http://www.gapingvoid.com/Moveable_Type/archives/004900.html

Top 5 ways to name your company

As any entrepreneur starting out knows, the name you apply to your business is a critical part of the startup process. Sure, you could change the name later, but you are probably going to invest in business cards, signs and a website based on the name you come up with for your company so you would prefer to do it right the first time.

Here are the top 5 ways to come up with name for your new company (in no particular order)....

1) Brainstorm associated words based on the vision you have for your company. This is a good exercise because it may also help you clarify your vision at the same time. Once you have a list of words associated with your vision of the company, you can brainstorm words associated with those words. The key is to not filter yourself prematurely... let the words flow because a poor word may lead you to a better word which might lead you to the perfect name for your company.

1a) Word combinations sometimes expand the possible name choices but try to stick to two word combinations at the most. Multiple words start to sound like a sentence and while that may make it easier to find a matching website name (longer names are less likely to be taken), it will sound less like a company and more like a tagline.

2) Naming Software is available that can help you generate name options. These are usually based on a powerful thesaurus and maybe even a search function to see if names have been taken. Examples include NameRazor, NameBuilder and others.

3) URL searches now include alternatives to your selected terms and they can offer ideas for alternative names. Since you will want to own the "dot com" web address for your company (and probably some of the variations on the main site's name), it is good to do a quick search based on some of the words you came up with in your brainstorming sessions.

4) Umbrella vs. Specific Names sometimes trip up some companies. An umbrella name may sound "grandiose" or give the impression of a larger company than you really are (e.g. Worldwide Plumbing or Global Cleaners) but you should be careful not to confuse your customers, especially if your business will be local. Specific names can also limit you since they tie you into a specific location or product. If you name a shop "Nuts R Us", it may be difficult to expand into other foods or hardware (depending on what types of nuts you are talking about). In general, I tend to lean toward the larger names as long as they give a good impression of the market you are trying to serve.

5) Focus Groups are another way that you can expand the possible name choices. These can be used to test possible names (if you have time) or they can be done informally to expand the brainstorming process. In any case, be aware that you are probably dealing with a very small subset of your customers or potential customers so there is a real chance that they may not represent the feelings of the majority of your customers. (Especially if your family is part of the group.) Be careful with Focus Groups!

In the end, it is your decision and it is one that you will probably have to live with ... or at least pay for.

Nothing says that you can't change the name of your company or create a new company but the effort that is put into getting a great name from the start makes the whole process of building your business that much more enjoyable.

Create a better world !

d.Mark


Additional Resources:
Trizle.com (http://www.trizle.com/topics/684-how-to-name-your-company)
This site also includes ideas for what to do once you have a name for your company.

Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind, 20th Anniversary Edition by Al Ries

Naming the World: And Other Exercises for the Creative Writer

Why is the home page "blank"?

Some people have wondered,

"Why is the home page at www.TheWorldsMostCreativePerson.com
"blank" when you first load it up in your web browser?"

Answer:
The blank page represents one of the greatest challenges for the creative person. Before the first stroke of a pen (or mouse), there are unlimited possibilities and often the number of choices will overwhelm an artist or writer ... until they step back and create an image in their mind.

On the flip side, it is often easier to be creative in situations which are tightly constrained (or at least appear to be constrained). These boundries give the creative person something to push against, overcome or simply ignore on the way to a creative solution.

Are you staring at a blank page? Is your life a blank page?

Create a Better World !

First "Free Sample" Question

Sent on Fri, Apr 3, 2009 at 9:46 PM:

Dear D. Mark,

Please help. I am a creative guy and that is my problem. I have so many ideas that I want to implement but not enough time or money to implement them all.

How do I vet out the ideas to determine which one are worth taking to
the next level?

Thanks so much,

Bewildered in CT

********************************************************

Dear Bewildered,

It is great to hear that you have plenty of ideas! Many people struggle to come up with ideas (or at least ones that they are excited about implementing) so you are lucky that the "faucet of ideas" is turned on for you!

There are a number of ways to "vet out" your ideas and decide which ones are worth taking to the next level.

Potential Value
Some people look at the potential value of each idea and take the one that has the highest potential. This would seem to make sense, but it does not address how the implementation will affect everything else in your life.

Urgency
Everyone has urgent problems and if one of your ideas addresses something urgent, it is tempting to implement it first. While you certainly need to address urgent problems before they become even larger problems, it is important to determine whether the problem is truly urgent or just "urgent because someone else said it was urgent". Many urgent problems, when analyzed a little, are seen as someone else's problem or a problem which will fade away. I assume that you can determine the difference between truly-urgent and urgent-for-someone-else so I will move on to the final key.

Importance
If you have a good sense of value and urgency for each idea, the deciding factor for implementation is each idea's importance towards your life's goals. You probably have a number of goals and a number of ideas in each category which is probably what is making it difficult to decide on a particular idea to implement.

I would suggest doing my Value Discovery Exercise so you have a clear picture of the hierarchy of what is important to you. Decisions are made based on our values and by clearly understanding the order of your values, you will be able to prioritize your ideas and their implementation. The Value Discovery Exercise is also part of my "Vision Development Workshop" which helps participants use their newly identified values to create a strong personal vision for their life. This vision helps keep them focused and on track toward the life they want to achieve.

Additional Resources:
Book: The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey.

As soon as they are available, I will be sending you out a set of our Value Discovery Cards as a gift for being the first person to submit a Free Sample request using our new website.

Create a Better World !

d.Mark Wheeler
http://www.theworldsmostcreativeperson.com/

Welcome to The World's Most Creative Blog

"Sounds like someone is a little full of themselves"

That's what some people have said when they read the title of this blog and the accompanying website, http://www.theworldsmostcreativeperson/. But what they don't know is that there is a creative person inside each of us ... if we just had the tools and leverage to bring it out.

It's all about YOU !
That's what this blog is all about... bringing out creativity to solve your problems. Nine times out of ten, you already know the answer to your problem but it takes someone who is more objective to help you realize it.

Free Sample:
Please use the "Free Sample" signup page on http://www.theworldsmostcreativeperson.com/ to submit your questions. If we are able to help you, and you agree to let us publicize it, we may post your example on this blog so others can benefit from the solution as well. If your problem is sensitive, we understand and will treat it appropriately. If your business needs contractual confidentiality, please visit our consulting page at http://www.notewordy.com/TWMCP/Consulting.html.


Medical, Financial and Legal problems...
We are not doctors, lawyers or accountants so all advice should be reviewed with a licensed professional in these areas.

Responsibility:
You are also responsible for the solution to your problem... we can only advise and suggest alternatives. You need to recognize that while we present solutions... the ultimate solution will come from your actions! We can't do it for you!