Feb 23, 2021Member-onlyPostpone gratificationBoy, this one is really hard to sell. Which is precisely why it works. We can chase the trend, go for the linkbait, find the hustle, the hype and the easy, well-trod path. Which not only appears to be easier but also gets us far more approval from the people…1 min read1 min read
Feb 16, 2021Member-onlyResults are a by-productIn industrial work, the only work worth doing is work that works. That’s one reason why we use the same four-letter word in so many different ways. Put in the effort, get the results. And if you don’t get the results, you failed. Not only that, you are a failure. …2 min read2 min read
Feb 9, 2021Member-onlyPick yourselfAuthority? You want the authority to create, to be noticed and to make a difference? You’re waiting for permission to stand up and speak up and ship? Sorry. There’s no authority left. Oprah has left the building. She can’t choose you to be on her show because her show is…2 min read2 min read
Feb 2, 2021Member-onlyAvoid certaintyWhat a bizarre holiday. Every year in Pennsylvania, they wait for a furry animal to come out, look around and decide on whether or not he can see his shadow. And then we know if our hemisphere is due for more winter or not. Predicting the weather is important for…2 min read2 min read
Jan 26, 2021Member-onlyPassion is a choiceHere’s how to fall asleep: Turn off digital devices, go for a walk, brush your teeth, put on some comfortable pajamas, find a dark room and a comfortable mattress, and then lie down and pretend to be asleep. Prepare for it and then fake it Once this becomes a habit…2 min read2 min read
Jan 19, 2021Member-onlyGood taste is a skillTry to find a definition of ‘good taste’ and you’ll likely fail. It seems to be something we’re supposed to innately understand. But given how important it is, it deserves a practical way to understand it. So, here goes: Good taste is knowing what your audience will like just before…2 min read2 min read
Jan 12, 2021Member-onlyWe become creative when we ship the workIt’s not complicated, but it’s surprising. The work makes us who we are. If you want to be a runner, go running. Go running every day and now you’re a runner. And the same simple approach works for anyone who signs up to do work we call creative. Do the…1 min read1 min read
Jan 5, 2021Member-onlyAll criticism is not the sameSome criticism comes from the well-meaning but misguided. They are afraid for you, and imagine that your life would be better if you weren’t rejected or even noticed. And so, they will express their fear by criticizing your dreams. Some criticism comes from the broken-hearted. They are bitter about what…2 min read2 min read
Dec 29, 2020Member-onlyCreativity is an act of leadership (redux)They are two sides of the same action. Leadership is different than management. Leaders are exploring, going to new places. Managers are enforcing, using authority to improve results. Leaders have to invent what is possible. That’s one definition of creative work. The generous human act of doing something that might…2 min read2 min read
Dec 29, 2020Member-onlyCreativity is an act of leadership(not management) Leadership is voluntary. It’s voluntary to lead and it’s voluntary to follow. When you have power and authority, it’s tempting to manage instead. Managers get what they got yesterday, but faster and cheaper. Managers use authority to enforce behavior. But leadership involves acting as if. Leaders paint a…2 min read2 min read
