Does Your Imagination Need an Oil Change?

Let’s face it, we’re all busy.  We’ve got looming deadlines, competing priorities, client demands and so on and so on.  The problem is, if we want to get ahead, we’ve got to pull out all the creative stops.  We have to be more inspired than the guy next to us, more innovative than our competitors and more imaginative than other industries.  But in the midst of a 50-hour workweek, it’s often hard to tap into that creativity; it’s even harder to schedule time to flex our imaginative muscle.  If this sounds familiar, it may be time for an imagination oil change to kick-start your passion and creativity at work.

Creativity doesn’t have to be – and shouldn’t be – another task on your checklist.  There are simple ways to integrate time to be creative during the course of your day.

Open your mind to new perspectives, new adventures, new cultures, new ideas and new risks.  Experiencing new cultures can teach patience, acceptance and respect; all of these traits support collaborative work environments.  New risks, like proposing an idea that contradicts the status quo, can teach you about the strengths you possess and the things you’re capable of accomplishing.  Increasing your courage and self-confidence helps grow your imagination.  Not only will this help spark your imagination, but it can re-energize you and increase your motivation.  The more motivated you are, the more focused you will become at work.  Focus helps you set clear goals, achieve them and produce exceptional results.

Invite someone to be your creativity accountability partner.  Most people are easily distracted from their commitment to new goals because of other demands or because of the challenges that come up when they go outside their comfort zones.  What they don’t realize is that they are missing out on powerful lessons, gaining new knowledge, and discovering potential passions that all come with new experiences.  A partner can spot you as you flex your imaginative muscle to help keep you motivated, providing padding when you struggle and acknowledgement when you succeed.

Look inside.  Waaaay inside.  One of the best ways to find what makes you come alive and identify what you’re truly good at is to self-reflect.  Often.  This allows you to take a more holistic view, which in turn allows you to uncover deeper meaning behind what you say, feel and do.  You’ll discover a greater purpose and passion for your work, and this understanding can prompt extraordinary creativity and innovation.

If you’d like to learn more about how to ignite your creativity, generate imaginative ideas and become more motivated by your purpose at work, visit www.organizationalchampions.com and check out the “Want to learn more?” box.

We're at that age...

Yesterday I had lunch with a colleague.  This was the first time we had had lunch together, so there was a lot of sharing and getting to know each other.  At one point, whatever story I was telling, necessitated that I briefly describe when my dad was diagnosed with cancer.  Upon sharing that, she shared with me that she had lost her mother about the same time my dad got sick.  At first I was so stunned and taken aback that, to be quite honest, I don't think I reacted very well or with an abundance of sympathy.  Don't get me wrong - I didn't make a blundering idiot of myself; at least I don't think...  It just took me a moment to express my condolences. 

Well, fast forward a few hours and I found myself sitting on my couch at home feeling very surreal.  Are we really at that age, the age that we have to think about our parents' passing?  I started running through my mental address book of friends and co-workers, and I found that I knew several people who had lost their parents.  It was a reality check for me - I felt like I just resurfaced above water after dropping in one of those dunk tanks.

Anyone who knows me, knows I don't really taking aging well or with a whole lot of grace.  In other words, I've already had a quarter-life crisis and complain incessantly about encroaching on 30.  Now with this new revelation, I feel even older.  I guess I still felt like I was young.  Actually, I still felt like my parents were young.  They seriously cannot be that old yet.  Right?  Well, in reality, no.  I mean I know we could all go at any second, but this is different.  Remove that possibility and I really didn't feel like it was something I had to think about yet.  I haven't gotten married, I don't have kids, I'm just starting my career... They have so much more to see, dangit!!

While I hate the idea that yes I am at that age in which I have to realize my parents aren't immortal, it prompted me to reevaluate some things.  (Yes, all of this life discovery happened in a short amount of time on my couch last night.)  My parents are precious and I won't have them around forever.  I have to move beyond the child-like mindset that they will always be there.  I have to move toward a more valuing mindset and take in the moments that I have with them and not take their presence for granted.

Love you Mom and Dad!

You Don't Have to Be a Leader to Be a Leader

Recently I had the privilege to attend the Chick-fil-A Leadercast, hosted and sponsored by many amazing companies, including our very own – SVI.  The event brought together thousands of leaders from around the world to hear from some of the most respected and influential speakers in the business world.  And there I was – my first time at an event like this, furiously scribbling notes and trying to soak in the wisdom of people like Seth Godin, Dave Ramsey and John Maxwell.

It was wonderful – but it also was overwhelming.  I am relatively new to the corporate world and definitely not in a leadership position, I thought as the event came to a close.  How can I apply what I heard when I don’t hold a position of “power”?  It was then, in my slow, steady mental walk toward self-pity, that I thought Hey!  I don’t have to be a leader in a formal sense to be a leader!  I can be a “despite-my-position leader.”  Someone my peers look to for answers and guidance.  Someone they admire, compliment and commend.  Someone they trust.  Someone they seek out informally for their own growth.  I can do all of these things without positional power.

So I set my sights on growing my leadership abilities NOW – not later when I get a formal chance, but in the present – to prepare myself for my future hopes and goals.  In reading through those dozens of notes, three themes struck a chord for me most.  I categorized them into three actionable “live-by’s” I intend to incorporate in my professional and personal arenas:  Lead by Being Intentional, Lead by Being Passionate and Lead by Being Moral.

Great – I have some “live-by’s”… now what?      

                                                                             

Lead by Being Intentional:  Intention has a lot to do with motives, desired outcomes and purpose.  To lead with intention, I have to start with ensuring my motives behind every action, every decision, every move are filled with integrity and align with my authentic self.  I should not, and cannot make choices that negatively impact my team, nor my company.  I intend to take the advice of Suze Welch in making decisions and try to be more thoughtful and considerate of the decisions I make.  I will consider (albeit swiftly – we do live in a fast-paced world after all) the pros and cons of things before jumping to a decision.  This lessens potential negative consequences, while giving me a better opportunity to make, well, better decisions.  When I align my intentions with integrity, I have a greater ability to pursue the higher purposes behind them.  My intentions become concrete snapshots of my values and purpose lived out.  The more I align work with my values, the more authentic I become.  As this increases, the visibility of my authentic self to those around also increases.  This allows for deeper connections with my peers and increased collaboration on projects.  And hopefully, showing my authentic self will encourage others to show their authentic selves and become leaders of intention.

Lead by Being Passionate:  I’m in the business of developing extraordinary people and irresistible companies – so I better have some passion!  I can’t honestly say I help anyone else grow, develop or become enriched if I don’t have a passion for helping others, helping communities, and helping the world.  If I’m going to lead with passion, I’ve got to show it.  I write for a living, I write to relax and release, I paint art for fun, and I revel in music to feed my soul.  My passion lies in the creative elements!  But how can I lead others by leading with passion through creativity?  What if they don’t have similar creative outlets?  What if they don’t have anything they’re particularly passionate about?  I like to think of it like this: passion can be caught, passed and transferred.  It may not always be in the same form or mode of transportation, but my passion is highly capable of igniting a passion in another.  The more I share my loves and interests, the more others will ponder about their loves and interests.  They may not figure it out right away, and they’ll probably try a few things that they definitely don’t like, but I can guarantee they will eventually find the “it” that makes them come alive, that gives them purpose.  The more alive we become, the more our work will elevate.  It will reach deeper to more insightful levels, have greater purpose and create benefit to the outside world.

Lead by Being Moral:  Morality doesn’t necessarily have to be rooted in religion or formal practices.  It can be a feeling; a sense of right and wrong.  It’s about truth.  Staying true to myself.  Being truthful in my interactions with others.  Delivering work that I can stand behind confidently.  When I drive my work with a moral gas pedal, my ethics will be visible to those around me.  I may fail, I may slip up, but it’s what I choose to do following those situations that will define me and paint my moral picture for others.  The stronger advocate I become of morality and ethics through practice and exhibition to and for others, the more I can help cultivate a community of moral and ethical leaders.  We each have a social responsibility to the other; to support and stay true to my responsibility, I have to lead with morals.

Intentions.  Passions.  Morals.  I will turn these words into action verbs and use them as tools to guide my growth, because someday I’ll have the opportunity to lead others formally and grow another life or generation to be the “someones” to look upon with respect and admiration.  Here’s to leading without being a leader – Cheers!

My Battle

This is the most beautiful thing I've ever heard... Love Song #1 by The White Buffalo:

And I's on an island, an island for one
Burning my eyes staring at the sun, staring at the sun
And I's always silent, well had of gone deaf and dumb
I feel like a loser cause i never won, but I never won

'Til you blew in just like paper in the wind
And I just wanted something to believe in
And I just want to be your man, your friend
Carry on with you right down to the very end
Oh I'm with you
Oh I'm with you

And I's always diving, diving under the gun
Well holding on to nothing, holding onto some, well holding onto some
And I's always striving, but I'm left undone
Countin the days but the lonely dont lye, they get up and they run

'Til you blew in just like paper in the wind
Well I just wanted somethin to believe in
And I just want you on my arm, every limb
Carry on with you right down to the bitter end
Oh I'm with you
Oh I'm with you
Oh I'm with you

It's so simple.  So honest.  So not... Messy.  I don't know, but when I heard this song for the first time, it just connected.  It felt like my thoughts...  My ideas about loving someone.  Feeling part a whole, longing for my other half.  Feeling defeat after relationships failed (although, in hindsight, they were meant to).  And then hoping to find that person.  My best friend.  My everything.  Loving someone so much you want them on your "every limb".  Perfect... simply perfect.

The problem is I can't seem to allow it to be that easy.  I'm surrounded by divorce, both in my family and with my friends.  So I stay guarded and questioning.  I don't want to, but I can't control it.  I push and push and test boundaries, subconsciously, just because I need to believe it.  I feel like if he doesn't fight then he doesn't mean it.  Love should be defining, enlightening, encompassing, present.  I just want to hear him say "I'm here," and me not doubt it...  Now don't get me wrong about divorcees, sometimes it is the right choice, but it seems like most of the time today, they just quit.  Just stop trying.  I guess I have this urge to test because I need to know that quitting isn't the option...  I never want him to stop trying...  I want him to always say "I'm with you."  And I... am with him.

Ginger Kids Do Have Souls (I'm 90% sure of it...)

Well, it sure has been a while... But, I have been DYING to make an entry.  So, here goes nothing...

The thing that has been on my mind lately is girls, both young and old, and being secure in their own skin.  It makes me sad to see so many girls idealizing images on a magazine cover or in a television show... This is not reality ladies.  Don't get me wrong, those women are beautiful and talented women, but we should never create a personal environment in which we compare ourselves, physically, to others.  First of all, it's an apples to oranges situation.  The best way I can explain this is an "epiphany" I had when I was in college.  I spent a lot of my college years wanting to, desiring to look like all the pretty little sorority girls.  Bigger chests, smaller hips, great legs, any hair color other than red... The more I wished or tried to be like them, the LESS I liked myself.  Then, one day it just hit me... I am never going to have small hips.  I am never going to look normal with any other hair color than red.  I am never going to have clear skin - I will always have freckles.  It sounds depressing, but realizing I would NEVER be those things acutally made me love the things I thought I needed to change.

I grew up a red head; obviously if you've looked at my photo.  To say I never got teased about being a red head would be a lie.  But let me say that I was not a loser.  My friends were cheerleaders, senior guys, etc.  I was definitley popular and had super cool friends.  BUT...  I was not exactly the center of attention.  And to be frank, boys didn't exactly seek me out during my adolesence or young adulthood.  I hated being a red head.  HATED it.  I wanted to be tan like the other kids - I was pale and freckly.  I wanted to be a brunette - I had bright orange hair, affectionately refered to as red hair.  I was skinny, but never skinny enough.  I pretty much struggled with the way I looked until I was about 22 years old.  That is a LOOOOONG time to wish you looked like everyone else - normal.  Then it hit me...

I was on campus one day watching a pretty girl with a tiny little figure walk by and it dawned on me:  I will never have that body shape.  I will never have small hips.  I will never have a petite butt.  I will never have huge boobs.  But, you know what?  That's ok.  In that observation of another girl, a pretty one, I realized, I'm ok.  I don't need to be a size 2.  I don't need to have unrealistic body measurements.  I don't need to be anything other than a red head.  I grew up with freckles and a small gap in my teeth.  My whole life, my parents told me my gap would close naturally (my dad's did) and my freckles would slowly fade away (my mom's did).  Neither of these things happend.  Much to my dismay... at first.  Then, on that day described, I felt okay with who I was.

So, in the longest and round-about intro ever, this one is for you red heads and not so "skinny" girls...

I HATED being a red head, as I stated, my whole life.  I would have given anything to be a brunette.  Then when that "epiphany" moment happened, I finally appreciated who I was.  As a woman and a red head.  I got teased growing up - freckle face, carrot top, ginger, etc.  I always felt out of place, even when I was with the "popular" kids... Boys weren't interested in mel they wanted the blondes and brunettes.  Oh my fellow red heads, this is FAR from the truth.  When I finally stopped being so upset that I wasn't like everyone else, I realized the passion, interest and want for red heads.  Girls, we have the upper hand more than you may ever realize.  The thing is, no one will appreciate the unique difference if we don't value it ourselves first.  Men LOVE red heads.  The may not realize it in youth, but I promise girls, it will come.  But that is far less important than your own self-confidence and strength in your own person.

Scienentific reports show red heads to be a dying breed.  In my lifetime (if I'm not mistaken), red heads will no longer exist; new ones that is.  We are a precious and unique set of individuals.  Our differences should be celebrated, not overwhelemed by insecurity and desires to "just  be normal".  Like I said earlier, I really didn't like myself until I was about 22 yrs, old.  I am only 26 right now as I write this.  This is not a very long time to appreciate and adore oneself.  Today, I wouldn't change my hair for anything - I wouldn't die it, I wouldn't highlight it, I wouldm't do anything to make it any other color than my true natural red hair.  I have found value in my uniqueness, and therefore happiness.  Self-respect and confidence don't come from comparison to others; it comes from within.  So, I challenge ALL of you red heads to be proud, to be present, to not change.  I PROMISE you will understand one day and you will see and experience personally what I am writing about.  The challenge is to be a self-confident, self-trusting individual that does not blame others or hols grudges against those that are the people you assume you should  be.  Society does not set your existence, your mark on the world... YOU DO.  Honor who you are and what you look like, and I know you will see later the value those thoughts will bring.

Now, on the other note about "skinniness", we have got to talk ladies.  I completely recognize the "to each their own", but there is definitialy a skinny that is too skinny.  I was in the gym recently with my friend kim and I saw this girl on the level  below us and I could not believe how skinny she was.  This was NOT a good look.  It may me think abou the pressures I felt in my youth and the pressures girls were feeling today in their youth.  I hated thinking that a young girl might come to the gym and see this crazt skinny girl and think, "I wish I looked like that."  No ma'am!!  I LOVE my curves.  I love that I  don't look like I popped out of sports illustrated.  I like that I finally ADORE being a red head.  And I would never touch it for anything!

What an I trying to say?  This too shall pass.  In the meantime, discover what makes you tick, what makes you come alive, and what you desire.  Eventually, you will most likely realize that what you have is good enough and not only good enough, but perfect.  Don't ever let amyone make you feel like you're not part of the "cool stuff" because you're a read head or try to alter it.  I wouldn't change my hiar for the world...

I Want You to be More Than a Text

I have an amazing family.  I have super rad friends.  I'm dating a pretty cool dude.  I see them sometimes; hear their voices rarely.  My relationships are turning into text-tastic dynamics - sad.  More sad?  So are everyone else's.
My senior year of college I worked at a restaurant with a kid that just blew my mind with envy.  He started dating a girl long distance.  But instead of calling and/or texting, they wrote each other letters.  LETTERS!! Like pen and paper, stamps and envelopes letters.  How gnarly is that?!  I was so jealous.  Not because it was a romantic relationship and sounded like a cheesy love story, but because it was intimate.  They had to share.  Truly share.  Not like a seven or eight word text.  Or a 20 minute phone call.  They really shared their thoughts.  Their ideas.  Their hopes.  Their fears.  Their stories.  THEIR STORY.
I have so many close friends.  Friends I know would be there for me when it counted; when I needed them.  And I'd do the same for them in a moment's notice.  But, I feel saddened by the fact that I'm not close to them the way he was to her, and her to him.  It's like we (the world) have become so jaded, so closed off that no one wants to share.  No one wants to be open.  Lay themselves out there.  Hit or miss.  We're dead.  I want life to breathe into my friendships, my family relationships, my romantic relationships.  I want to know them.  Not be able to just name their favorite color or pizza toppings they hate.  I want to love you enough to know you.  I think we may spend more time doing the opposite:  finding out just enough to love our friends, family, and significant others.  It seems off...
I'm not a new year's resolution kind of gal, but I am definitely seeking a life change when it comes to my family and friends.  I want to see them when I can.  But hear them when I can't.  Have honest, candid conversations.  Talk about the things we already think about all day long.  Intimately connect to one another.
I've been fortunate to be blessed with the highest quality of both, and it's positively disgraceful that I don't act like I know I'm lucky.  So, for those of you who know me well enough to know that I drop off the grid all too often, get ready!  You mean the world to me.  Without all of my relationships, I wouldn't be who I am today... You can blame yourselves or thank yourselves. :)

3 Photo Albums of Your Kid Eating a Piece of Cake... Really??

Ok.  So I am completely at a place in my life where I am super happy.  I have a career, not a j o b, but a real life career.  And I FRIGGIN LOVE it.  My body feels and looks good (yes, modesty is not always my strong suit).  Running is my zen.  It's where I release.  Clear my mind.  Where I breathe.  I completely lose myself in my music, letting my heart and the notes connect in a peaceful, lovely affair.  I have a personal trainer whom I love and hate all at once.  I have an amazing family and wonderful friends.  And the best part of being part of their lives is watching them grow.  Watching their happiness come to fruition.
Having said that, I find my relationships with my married friends drifting.  Especially the ones with kids.  I am sooo not at a place where I am ready for either of the two.  It really hit me when I was at a wedding a few months ago...
I happened to be in what most would consider a serious relationship; however, it was one of those situations where we had both left, but weren't ready to say it out loud.  I just remember sitting in the pew, listening to the vows and wanting to run as fast and as far as I could possibly go!  All I kept thinking was "this sounds like a terrible idea!!"  And then seeing all these parents and their kids - yikes, get me outta here!!  (Needless to say, the boyfriend and I went our separate ways very shortly after.)
I really feel detached with those that have kids because I'm just not there.  I'm definitely at a place where I'm still selfish with my life.  I still want to pursue my goals and discover my passions.  I'm not ready to share that yet, and know that when I am, they will be my whole life.  But right now, I'm so over seeing photo after photo after photo of your baby/kid sitting in the sandbox.  Eating spaghetti.  Chewing on a paper plate.  Performing in the school play.  I mean, seriously??  Is that normal to take so pictures of the most ridiculous stuff??  I assume I'm probably going to turn into the same person whenever I have kids.  Aww, irony... Gotta laugh at life. 
And by the way friends, I love your kids.  They all make me smile and I think they're super precious.  And most of all, I love the light they bring to your lives.  Just made me laugh seeing TONS of pics from Halloween and realizing how much I am following a different path.  Life is good - in all its stages and there is always something to envy on all paths.  Enjoy your bundles and take a MILLION pics.  I just may not look or comment on all 'em.  :)