Get Your Own Idea

This post might make you angry. I'm just saying this up front so you can stop reading if you're easily offended. But, I know that there are people out there who need to hear this:

Stop hijacking bandwagons!

Bandwagon Hijackers are the folks who you didn't INVITE to participate (or give feedback) on your project but feel duty-bound to tell you HOW you should implement YOUR creative idea in a different way.

OR, they offer no support (or comment) UNTIL they see you succeeding with something and then want to add their two cents or get involved.

I know, I know, it is far easier to jump on someone else's bandwagon rather than build your own.

I get it.

Everyone wants to be part of a winning team.

I'm not going to lie and say that I haven't been a Bandwagon Hijacker myself. I'm not proud of that and I do my best every day to focus on my OWN ideas rather than someone else's.

I don't think it is malicious behavior at all but instead, I see it as the behavior of people who wish there were magic fairies to do all the dirty, boring, painful things that must be done before a creative, winning idea becomes a reality.

But, you know as well as I do that there are no shortcuts.

You might've been oblivious before, and didn't know what you were doing, but now that you've read this far, I'll say it again:

You need to stop hijacking bandwagons!

If you're hijacking someone else's bandwagon, your behavior is obnoxious and harmful.

It is not helpful OR appropriate to sit back and watch someone else putting in the sweat and TIME on a creative project and casually EXPECT to hop on just as it is gaining momentum . . .

. . . without being there from the beginning to UNDERSTAND why the creative is doing what (s)he's doing the way he or she is doing it . . .

. . . without putting in the hours  . . .

. . . without having any idea of the passion, meaning or intent behind the art . . .


Even worse, Bandwagon Hijackers can completely destroy an idea if the creative isn't confident.

Especially in those early stages when an idea isn't fully formed.

That is the stage when the wheels are on but all the nuts and bolts aren't tightened so the bandwagon is barely held aloft on wobbly wheels. One casual push could send the whole thing crashing into a pile of rubble.

It is that point in the process when the creative is struggling to pull through a patch of sand and the extra weight of YOU, sitting on back will prove to be too much and the creative will leave everything sitting in the desert of unfulfilled visions never to be seen again.

There has been nothing more frustrating in my life than seeing truly original and creative projects destroyed by hijackers.


So, if you weren't invited to be a part of the project then enjoy it for what it is or keep quiet.

If you weren't invited to give your "feedback" or ideas, then don't.

If what I'm saying is making you feel angry because you KNOW that you have GREAT ideas for other people's projects, I'm here to tell you that what you're really hearing is your own inner creative SCREAMING to be let out.

So, today I DARE YOU to:

1. Step away from someone else's bandwagon;
2. Do your own thing, be original. Be brave.

I cannot promise that your original idea will succeed but I can promise that the more time you spend creating your own work, the less time you'll have to take a sledgehammer to someone else's bandwagon.

P.S. If you post an unformed idea on social media, you can expect it to be hijacked. Only do this if you have a super-confident thick skin -or, you are trying to weed out and identify the hijackers!

20 Minute Brain Dump

Brain dumps are as random
as this photo!

I didn't blog yesterday. Instead, I spent my writing time with my 89-year-old Auntie who is a joy to be around. She's the most positive person I know!

Today, during my blogging time, I decided to join my husband and walk our little man to school.

It doesn't mean, however, that I haven't had a bazillion creative ideas bashing about in my head!

Each day, my goal is to encourage others to think creatively, explore their creativity and unleash that creativity on the world.

So today I'm doing something that is part "Morning Pages" and part "talk to the wall" exercise. Basically it comes down to the same thing, dump out what's in your brain -either verbally or on paper or on computer- and see what "sticks". See what creative ideas might work. What might stick and then just letting go of the rest. Quantity NOT quality is the goal of this exercise.

As an example, here's my dump:

Tried to write a post on "rules" yesterday in the afternoon. I hated it so I dumped it. But, I did love the Pee Wee clip I added, so I'll put it here. 

I wonder what would happen if no one shopped on Thanksgiving or black Friday? Wouldn't the stores just have to make those sales on a different day? I worked 7 Thanksgivings (and Christmases) in a row when I performed at DisneyWorld and it was weird at first, I enjoyed being a special part of other people's holiday celebrations. Stores aren't creating special family moments. Stores are just trying to get us to spend money on stuff we probably don't need. I am closing my Macy's card account. I won't be shopping at Kohl's, JCP, Wal-mart or Target. After I made that decision, I went to my locally run drugstore and bought all the stuff I needed like TP, etc for less than I would've paid at Target. Kind of a lovely little, "it'll be okay" reminder. I lived without those stores before and I can live without them now. AND I saved money on gas. I'll have to get creative but I think that cutting those stores out of my life might actually be fun and freeing.

Maybe the key to getting rid of "sexy" costumes for females is to teach our sons to NOT react or give attention to women dressed that way.  On a separate note, the husband is planning a backlash on the sexy trend. He's going as a beer keg and plans to wear short-shorts with it. To be a sexy beer keg. I love my husband.

Debra Trappen of d11 consulting was right (and I knew she would be). She challenged me to get more involved with LinkedIn groups. I did. I started a conversation and some lovely people responded with some great things. It all happened faster than I expected. I love community. I love people who are smarter than I am and share their wisdom.

Times up. The little man is home from his 1/2 day at school. Yesterday, he built a car out of a cardboard box. He's been driving around the house from room to room. Kids are the best creative idea generators out there.

Now, you try! Do a brain dump. No filter. Just write what's on your mind. Doesn't even have to make sense!

Creativity -VS- Cynicism

The opposite of creativity is cynicism. ~Esa Saarinen, Finnish philosopher

I have to agree with this statement. I believe creativity is a good thing, obviously! I focus my life on the creative. I encourage all of my readers and students to explore the creative every day -in every way. I would never encourage someone to be a cynic.

Cynics believe that only selfishness motivates human action.

Creatives strive to transcend the norm and make something new.

Here's to all the CREATIVES then! May you endure and thrive and continue transcending the regular!

Cynics, you're welcome to JOIN us on the creative side!!

Play

I think this quote is so true!

Are You a Seagull?

Please read this article by SETH GODIN. "When to Speak Up" it is so good.

You've probably heard this type of critic described as a "SEAGULL" because they swoop and poop. I saw it ALL the time when I worked in the corporate jungle and I see it even MORE in the volunteer circles in which I travel. Especially when working on creative new ideas.

I'm generally a positive person; but, if you want to bring out the Mama Bear in me, sit silently through all the planning meetings and THEN crap all over the hard work of the engaged, active, involved people in the group just before -or right after- the project execution. As Godin notes, "Rooting for your team to fail is as bad as it sounds." Ouch.

My own theory? People do this because it makes them FEEL like they've done something.

How about try this instead: Participate from the beginning. And, as Godin suggests, "Come to the next meeting with a better plan about the next decision." 

'Nuff said.

5 Sentences on Creativity

Creating is for EVERY human being. Realize it is your BIRTHRIGHT, not the exclusive domain of a few. Everyone has a creative SUPERPOWER; it's up to you to use yours daily to express your unique CREATIVITY. At the center of all despair, is someone who is HIDING their uniqueness, their special force -don't let that happen to you. The TIME is already there; understanding you might have to give up something to reclaim that time. Enjoy the process, get your hands dirty, CREATE!

Let's Get Critical

Face it. Critics are EVERYWHERE. No matter what you do, you will be criticized by SOMEONE. If you are doing something new, something different, something CREATIVE -at some point, you are going to be criticized. It is all part of putting yourself OUT there.

I wish I could remember WHO it was that gave me this piece of advice when I was a new-ish performer, but, this person said something so wise that the ADVICE has stuck with me for years, this person said, "Michele, if you believe the GOOD reviews, you're going to have to believe the BAD reviews, too. The truth is somewhere in the middle."

How do you handle criticism? Does it push you further? Or do you give up? Does it make you angry? Does it make you pull away? Does it make you sad? Does it hurt your feelings?

I'll be honest, criticism can -and has- caused me to do and feel ANY and ALL of those things!

Some days, we are stronger than other days. But, the one thing we can do is KNOW that we will be attacked by criticism at some point.

My advice?

Brace yourself . . . Figure out how you are going to cope BEFORE the criticism happens. Figure out the best way for YOU to fill your "BANK" of love an acceptance. When you need to, go to your bank and make a withdrawal.

Some things I do, I keep a file of all the nice emails that people have sent me about my work. I write down in my calendar any nice words that people say to me. I "pin" inspirational, motivational quotes that mean something to me to my Pinterest account. When I'm low, when I need to re-charge -I look at those things in my personal bank and it makes me feel better, it uplifts me.

But, my secret weapon is to I go out and fill OTHER people's banks. When I am feeling the MOST criticized (or am criticizing MYSELF) I reach out to others and write a note of encouragement or praise. It instantly stops me from getting wrapped up in my own personal junk and focusing on loving and praising others.

How do YOU  handle criticism? What techniques do you have that could help others?