Final Thoughts...Week 8: The BIG Picture
In conclusion, on pages 115-117 Monica reminds us how limitless we really are in the never ending journey towards creativity! How do you plan on living a limitless life in your work moving forward?
Thanks for being apart of the 2nd #BlueCheckBookClub read! Feel free to revisit these questions over and over again as you expand your creativity in and outside of the workplace!
Week 7: Failure's Fate
Is Failure Fatal?
Winston Churchill exclaimed that “Success is not final; failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.” This is a quote that my students and I reflected on that has also brought me great encouragement moving forward in my career and life in general.
On pages 103-112 of Chapter 7, Monica discusses how failure comes in different forms with different consequences. This truth makes it even more difficult to navigate, yet in the end failure is something that all of us experience. Check-out the reflection questions below to prepare for failure and keep going!
Reflect on the following Questions:
Why am I afraid of failing? What are things I stopped doing and started doing as a result of fear of failing?
Who are leaders you admire? Research their failures and challenges by asking questions: What can I learn from them? What can I do today as a result of my learning from their journey?
As a manager, how can I encourage a culture of risk-taking?
Week 6: Curiouser And Curiouser
I WONDER.. Week 6!
The tick of the clock can sometimes feel like the enemy! The anxiety of it all might feel like we are completing one task after another, but where is creativity and are we really accomplishing our goals?
On pages 89-99 of Chapter 6, Monica discusses how the best of what we do does not happen over night. Challenging us to plan for creativity and not allowing time to cause use to overlook the big picture was the details might require more focus. Dive into the questions Monica created below.
Reflect on the following Questions:
How could I have approached a recent challenge with a customer, client, or a colleague differently?
As a team leader, how can I encourage my team members to practice creative thinking and creative problem-solving?
As a company, how can we empower leaders to prioritize creative thinking even if it takes time and trial and error?
Week 5: Authentic Power
Authenticity Week 5!
Understanding your whole self from emotional intelligence to technical skills allows you to know how to best invest yourself into each and every project you are creating.
On pages 79-86 of Chapter 5, Monica discusses the power of self-awareness in the work that you do and how the leaders of our society leverage this power. With reflection, the questions below can help you determine how you can best leverage your own self-awareness.
Reflect on the following Questions:
What are my superpowers? What is my Achilles heel?
What does it look like to bring 100% to my work and to my life?
As a team leader, what can I do to help my team members feel comfortable enough to be themselves?
As a company, how do we define our authentic culture?
Week 4: Limitations and Creativity
Limits!
Just like time, there are several limits that hinder growth, but if we look at limits as catalyst for growth creativity thrives. On pages 65-75 of Chapter 4, Monica provides a formula for success when limitations are inevitable.
Reflect on the following Questions:
How do I respond to on-the-job challenges? Why do Interact that way? How can I approach the next challenge with more curiosity and an open mind?
How can I practice creating constrained spaces to enhance creativity?
How might I make time to pause/reflect/rest so that I bring my best creative work to my position?
Week 3: Success and Time
Time is of the Essence Week 3!
The tick of the clock can sometimes feel like the enemy! The anxiety of it all might feel like we are completing one task after another, but where is creativity and are we really accomplishing our goals?
On pages 55-61 of Chapter 3, Monica discusses how the best of what we do does not happen over night. Challenging us to plan for creativity and not allowing time to cause use to overlook the big picture was the details might require more focus. Dive into the questions Monica created below.
Reflect on the following Questions:
How could I have approached a recent challenge with a customer, client, or a colleague differently?
As a team leader, how can I encourage my team members to practice creative thinking and creative problem-solving?
As a company, how can we empower leaders to prioritize creative thinking even if it takes time and trial and error?
Week 2: Seek Out Your Circle
Seek Out Your Circle!
Are you who you spend time with more than just being you are what you eat? Maybe it is a little bit of both! How often do we start taking on the emotions of those around us like a sneeze?!! This past week I watched a TedTalk on how contagious we really are by Vanessa Van Edwards. Vanessa reminded me of the importance of watching the company we keep and it is perfect for our Week 2 theme on "Seeking Out Your Circle"! View her video, read Chapter 2 on pages 45 to 50 of Rethink Creativity and reflect on the questions below.
Reflect on the following Questions:
Who are the give people I sped the most time with at work? How are they similar? How are they different?
When was the last time I felt curious in my work?
As a leader, how can I ensure I receive input and gather perspectives from multiple resources instead of clinging to one?
As a company, how cam we do a better job of attracting talent that will bring diverse perspectives to our work?
As a company, how can we encourage our emplyees to stay opinion minded?
Week 1: Owning Creativity
Thrive in Week 1!
As an Educator Entrepreneur, I often find myself craving creativity. How can I best engage my students and how can I best engage my podcast listeners and magazine subscribers. The art of visually vibrant graphics and the selection of impact topics always come to mind, but I know that I can do more and continue to grow in my definition of what it means to be a creative!
On pages 35-40 of Chapter 1, Monica stresses the importance of not subscribing to one formula, in fact thinking that you can draw a box. stick within its lines and call it creative defeats the core of what it means to be creative in the first place. Ponder over the questions below and share your thoughts!
Reflect on the following Questions:
When was the last time I felt creative? What was I doing? Why was I feeling creative?
Why do I love creating? Why?