Creatively Creative

Monday Mind Games #4 - Finish The Sentence

Today's task... finish the sentences below:

I am most creative when _________________________

I struggle creatively with ______________________________ 

If I could have a creative super power, it would be ___________________ because __________________

The creative achievement of which I am most proud is _______________________ because ____________

I'd love to hear how you finished the sentences!

My Monday Mind Games #3 - Framing the Day

Here's my question at the start of the day:

What difference can I make today?

Here's my question at the end of the day:

What difference did I make today?

What did you come up with?

See you next Monday!

Michael

Monday Mind Games #3 - Framing the Day

Last week I discovered Ben Franklin's daily schedule.

What I love most about his daily schedule is the way he frames and reflects on the day. He asks himself, "What good will I do today?" to frame the day, and "What good have I done?" to reflect on the day.

I've been thinking, how do I want to frame and reflect on my day?

So, here's our assignment:

What question do you want/need to ask yourself at the beginning of each day?

What question do you want/need to ask yourself at the end of each day?

My Monday Mind Game #2: Manifesto

Here's what I came up with for my Twitter-sized creativity manifesto (see here for details):

We're all creative. The world is a better place when we all take time to engage, embrace and empower our creativity every day. (127 characters!)

What did you come up with?

See you next Monday, 

Michael

Monday Mind Games #2 - Manifesto

Your Monday Mind Game #2 is to take about 5 minutes and create your creative manifesto - why you think creativity is important and how you plan to bring creativity to your slice of the world.

Here's the creative part: you have to do it in 140 characters or less (the length of a Twitter post).

I invite you to share what you come up with, and I'll post to my Twitter feed (@mwsladek)  

Onwards,
Michael 

My Monday Mind Game #1: Personal Mantra

Here's what I came up with for my personal mantra (see here for the exercise explanation).

CPA: Creativity. Passion. Always.

I love acronyms (they help me remember) and I love the limits they impose. I really enjoy juxtaposing the stereotype of the staid CPA (Certified Public Accountant) with my new words. I like that this reminds me that there's creativity in places and professions that I don't typically think of as being creative. 

What did you come up with?

See you next Monday!  

Monday Mind Games

Let's try something new together.

Here's what I'm thinking: each Monday, I'll share a new creative exercise. They should only take ten to twenty minutes each. 

I'd love to see what you come up with during these activities, so please share in the comments. I'll be posting what I come up with by Wednesday of each week (have to put my money where my creative mouth is).

I'm calling them Monday Mind "Games" as I hope these have a playful and fun element that engages your creative side in new ways.

Let's get started!


Monday Mind Game #1:  
Personal Mantra

A mantra is a short (three to seven word) phrase or collection of words that gets at the ESSENCE of what you're trying to get across. It's the ultimate distillation of your point. No fluff. No hiding behind meaningless multi-sentence paragraphs or borrowed bits from someone else. 


This is about you, and what you're about. 

Step 1: Take ten minutes and write down words and phrases that describe you and what you care about. 

Step 2: Sort those words and phrases into the ten that are most important to you.  

Step 3: Create a three to seven word phrase, or grouping of words, that is "YOU". 

Please share what you come up with in the comments below!
 

For more on mantras, read this excellent post by Guy Kawasaki