Here’s When Creative Thinking Kicks InThree occasions that inspire ingenuity
Mon, 11/12/2012 - 15:12
During the early 1980s, when I was a young man fresh out of college, I wanted to work in the advertising industry as a writer. I took the traditional approach and sent résumés with my three best writing samples to 80 advertising agencies. The… Why Should the Second Mouse Get the Cheese?Allow those who are vigilant and willing to take risks
Tue, 09/11/2012 - 11:05
My title this month is a funny metaphor for a common opinion I saw written on a bathroom wall. The gist of the graffiti was that the first mouse must die springing the trap before the second one gets the prize.
After observing big failures, it’s… What’s Holding You Back?Take the training wheels off your perceptions
Mon, 08/13/2012 - 12:26
I noticed the training wheels on my son’s bike were no longer touching the ground. He was riding without them. “Let’s take those off,” I said.
“No Daddy, I’m not ready.”
“Sure you are; let’s give it a try.”
After I removed them, he got on the bike,… Mystery!We’re hard-wired to find solutions to problems
Fri, 07/13/2012 - 09:26
The next hatbox I pulled off the top shelf of the closet nearly tipped me off the ladder. It was the weight that surprised me; it was far too heavy for just a hat. As I regained my balance, I wondered why this one weighed more than the others. I set… Not Gonna Hold My BreathHope is the last-ditch motivator
Tue, 05/15/2012 - 16:57
I bought a lottery ticket. I hope to win. That would be so cool, wouldn’t it?
Do I think I’ll win? No. I fully understand the odds are against me. Then why did I buy one? I bought it because I’ve been thinking about hope and whether or not it is a… KA-BOOM! The Explosive Pain of ShameAvoid this powerful motivator in favor of respect and information
Tue, 04/17/2012 - 11:50
Twelve years ago, I phoned a prospective client I’d been courting for months. The last time we’d spoken, only a few weeks earlier, she expressed interest in my conducting a seminar for her company. This time she said, “I was in the audience at the… Example Is Everything Whether you intend to or not, you always lead by example
Wed, 03/14/2012 - 10:34
As you finish reloading your rifle, you realize there’s a lull in the fighting. There is no gunfire, no explosions, the screaming and yelling have subsided. After three hours of battle, it’s become relatively quiet on both ships. You take a moment… Lubricate with Laughter There is an integrity in humor because true laughter, like crying, can't be forced
Wed, 02/15/2012 - 14:01
I was three or four jokes into my routine, when I realized that one of the troublemakers my client warned me about was sitting dead center in the front row. With arms firmly crossed over his chest, and a frown deeply embedded in his face, he was… This Story Has a Happy Ending… I Promise!Let adversity give you a helping hand toward achieving your goal
Wed, 12/21/2011 - 11:03
I was less than two minutes into my sales presentation when the business owner sitting behind his desk gruffly said, “Get out of here.” I figured someone must have walked into his office, and he didn’t want us to be interrupted. I turned around… Criticism SucksPower-tripping critics destroy confidence and motivation
Tue, 10/11/2011 - 15:31
“L et me drive the boat.” It was the one statement from the creative director I’d come to dread. It usually came within moments of his reading over my shoulder as I wrote advertising copy on my computer.
It meant, “Get out of your seat. I’m going…
