HOW JUDGMENT KILLS CREATIVITY

The way we feel when we’re judged is the exact opposite of how we need to feel to be our creative best. I’m issuing a challenge to business leaders to notice how employee performance ratings impact the ability of their employees to develop creative solutions, at a time when innovation has never been more important.

Mid-Pandemic Reflections – Why Creativity Matters More Than Ever Right Now

People who think of creativity as a mere hobby, and art as a “nice to have”, are missing the point. Creativity iis transformative. It's how we get to the other side. It's the ONLY way we get to the other side. Read on to see the gifts that creativity can offer you. 

A Plea to Stop Stifling Your Creative Spirit

I’m writing this article for all of you creative souls who believe you need to study or take courses (or maybe even get a degree!) before you can paint or draw, write a book or create a play.  For all of you who were told you weren’t creative and stopped trying.  For all of you who have kept quiet at work and held back ideas and insights you’d love to share but don’t because you’ve judged them outside the confines of the acceptable. What I’m going to tell you now might make some of you a bit defensive.  Especially those of you on the other end of the scenarios I’m describing – the mentors, bosses and experts who believe firmly in certain ways of doing things, rules that need to be followed, the importance of being realistic, and the past as the best guide to the way forward. I’m totally fine if you disagree.  I’m putting this out there anyway because I believe that the best way for me to serve the world [...]

By |2019-09-30T08:39:40-04:00September 30th, 2019|Coaching, Creativity, Personal transformation|

Morning Cormorants and the Gift of Being Present

As I sat down to write this article, I looked up for a moment to appreciate the tranquil view of Lake Ontario that I can see from my favourite writing spot. I stopped typing for a moment to watch a huge flock of black Cormorants glide single file just below the line that marks the intersection of water and sky. I continued to watch as the birds flew by in the hundreds. The Cormorants’ parade continued for over half an hour. I’m guessing that my house must be between these birds’ favourite feeding grounds and their overnight nesting area. As I observed the birds, the coach in me pondered why it is that I love birds/water/sky so much. The first answer that came to mind – and I usually find that the best answers are the ones that come to me immediately, before the active part of my brain tries to “figure it out” and pull me away from a deeper truth - was how peaceful, present and calm I usually feel when [...]

By |2019-07-31T13:15:02-04:00July 31st, 2019|Coaching, Creativity, Personal transformation|

Tanya’s Pearl – How Nature can Enhance Your Creativity

Every once in a long while, something happens that surprises me by moving me to tears – joyful tears, not the sad kind. Unexpected tears are like my body’s way of getting me to notice that something important has taken place.  Something worth paying attention to. I experienced this just the other night.  I was participating in a great little trade show hosted by the wonderful Tanya Shapenko at Verity, Toronto’s largest women’s business club. Tanya is a gifted jewelry designer.  She specializes in creating exquisitely crafted pieces that feature pearls and diamonds.  And she has an ability to create magic. Tanya exceeded herself that night. Just before our show began, Tanya announced that she had a special gift for each participant.  Tanya rolled out a dish containing several oysters and she asked each one of us to choose one. Even though the oyster shells appeared to be a brownish grey, on closer inspection I could see that each shell had subtle, iridescent colours.  I love colour and became absorbed in my choice.  [...]

By |2019-04-29T17:35:11-04:00April 29th, 2019|Creativity|
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