Overcome Writer’s Block
Thank you, Calvin and Hobbs! https://chrisilluminati.com/2017/07/09/writers-block-isnt-real/ We had fun learning to overcome writer’s block in Business Writing class recently. We took steps to how to get the random words and ideas in our heads our on paper and convert them into a work of art. First, we did free-writing about apples. Many of us liked the flow of free-writing. Next, we tried mind-mapping about apples. Others in our Business Writing class praised the freedom that mind-mapping gave them to come up with lots of ideas about...
read moreOne foggy night…
It was foggy the night I flew into the small-town airport . That could be scary enough. Adding the dark of night to the scene could have added more fear. Oh, and flying in a big metal airliner that weighs tons, could have weighed me down even more with even anxious uncertainty over the incredibility of such an activity. Thankfully, believing that there were a couple of professional pilots for whom fog, darkness, and uncertainty had been normalized comforted me during the illogical landing. I noticed that no other passengers seemed alarmed...
read moreIf I only had a brain, Dorothy.
Ray Bolger as Scarecrow who wanted a brain in the Wizard of Oz Brain speed: People think at the rate of 400 words per minute. People speak about 125 words a minute. Do you see any challenges here? Brain side: Right brainers may be more artistic and fun but less factual. Left brainers are more factual and sensible and well…they got us to the moon. Brain surrender: Sometimes we think we need to be right. Our brains seem to like it. Surrendering may not seem logical. Brains are akin to computers. Our souls and spirits can take charge of our...
read moreAre you selling or helping?
Our June 24th Post was titled: “It was a great party, until…” (review post here) It attracted some thoughtful comments. My friend Rob submitted this comment: “People who advertise without connecting to the group are just another version of spamming. Many Facebook groups forbid it and will oust anyone who practices this.” Rob then asks: “But what if someone knows of a problem many of them have and want to offer a solution? If this person accurately states the problem, others identify with it, and this person...
read moreWhere are you right now?
Where are you right now? At your desk? In your car? In the garden? At the gym? Where are you right now? Trying to listen? Trying to talk? Trying to think? Thinking too much? Where are you right now? Open? Closed? Conflicted? Angry? Stressed? Happy? Serene? Whew! So many factors! My answer: At my desk. Trying to listen. Open and even Serene. I’ve had a pleasant day interacting with family and friends and writing this note to you right now. That’s surprising since the last few days I’ve been: Thinking too much. Closing down. Conflicted, Angry,...
read moreJessica struggles alone…
Jessica dreams. Jessica creates. Jessica doubts. Jessica despairs. Her designs and insights often receive compliments and praise. The staff looks to her for creativity. But, when she is alone and away from everyone, Jessica dims—losing faith in her abilities. It’s happening more frequently. The better the project, the worse her outlook is getting. Her friend, Nancy, senses something is happening when Jessica misses their before-work-coffee-time two weeks in a row. Wisely, Nancy schedules their coffee for Saturday, so there’s no...
read moreIt was a great party, until…
No doubt connecting with people on social media is an essential small business marketing strategy. It’s free and can reach lots of people. Now, imagine a room full of people enjoying themselves while standing around and visiting in small groups. Suddenly, a new person loudly enters the area—interrupting the groups, taking over conversations, and challenging people to buy their new product. Wait! Let’s replay that scene. This time, imagine a room full of people enjoying themselves, standing around and visiting in small groups. Now...
read moreCrawl, Die, Struggle, Fly!
Caterpillar Larvae Butterfly Success is not always apparent. Butterflies are caterpillars and larvae first. They crawl, Then they “die” in their own self-made cocoon (we’ve all done that!). Next, they wake up and struggle in the dark for a long time. Finally, they emerge and the beautiful butterfly flies! Discouragement comes when we evaluate and compare our selves to others or to our own standards. If you feel homely, humble and caterpillar-y today that’s okay. It’s just a perception anyway. The...
read moreCommunication Muscle.
My short Shapes Video will give you a ton of insight into yourself and others. Have fun. (if the link doesn’t work please copy and paste this URL: https://vimeo.com/330378363) I’d love it if you let me know you stopped by. Please leave a highlight-insight in the comment section below. I will respond. Thank you and best re-Arghs, Cap’n John.
read moreWrite. Short!
Writing matters more nowadays. How to keep goldfish and humans interested? Be brief, interesting, and watch this CRAZY video! Best re-Arghs, Cap’n John P.S. Please, let me know your thoughts. Thank you. P.P.S Yes, it’s an ancient YouTube (2015). Don’t yell. Not sorry!
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