Twitter for job search

If you're looking for a job, and you're interested in how Twitter can help, join me on Wednesday 8/19/09 at the Scioto Ridge Job Networking Group. I'll be doing a presentation on behalf of ShinyDoor called Twitter for job search (creative name, I know).

Here is the address:

Worthington Seventh Day Adventist Church
385 E. Granville Road

Worthington, OH 43085

Program starts at 6:30. I've had the pleasure of speaking at a Scioto Ridge meeting once before, and I can tell you it's a fabulous group for professionals looking for their next gig.

Another Friday Funny

Earlier this week, my family and I joined my mom and dad for a vacation up at Lake Erie. We had a fabulous time boating, fishing, and sight seeing.

On Tuesday evening, we all went to Mon Amie Winery for dinner. Mon Amie has an elegant restaurant, with waiters in crisp white shirts inviting you to try wine. My kids were coloring serenely on their children's menus while we waited for our food to arrive. I should have known this peaceful scene could not last.

My 4 year old daughter was seated to my right, my mom to my left. I was facing my mom, having a conversation about what we might do the next day, when I saw her eyes grow large at something behind me.

"What is she doing!?" my mom exclaimed as I turned to see what might be going on, and hoping it didn't involve anyone in my care. You know it did.

There, on her knees in the chair, was my 4 year old. She had her shorts pulled down to just below her butt cheeks and was earnestly scratching her behind. I'm not sure if the people at the next table noticed, because I was too busy jerking her pants back up and telling her not to bare herself in public.

"My bottom itches!" she told me, looking as though she were truly offended and like I was a complete idiot at not picking up on something so obvious.

I'm trying hard to find a creativity lesson in this, but can only laugh until tears come at the recollection. If you can come up with one, I'd love to hear it. Post in the comments.

Friday Funny

I got this e-mail from the Bald Head Island Conservancy yesterday. Apparently they had a summer camp session gone awry.

Subject: Missing Albino Corn Snake

The Conservancy is missing a very rare Albino Corn Snake from its collection. The snake has gone missing sometime this morning, August 6th, 2009. Please check your child's clothing and pockets for the snake, as they like small dark spaces. Do NOT be alarmed, the snake is small, nonvenomous, and nonagressive.

If you find the snake, please contact Brett at the Conservancy at xxx-xxx-0923 or Katie at xxx-xxx-0089 X 10 to arrange for the snakes safe return.

Thank you for your support and help!

The ebb and flow of ideas

Everybody has creative highs and not so creative lows. Some weeks, I feel like I can take over the world with all the great ideas spinning through my head. Other weeks, I wonder how I'll ever get a good idea again. This is natural, and happens to everyone.

Even though the lows can feel - well - low, both of these times can actually be quite productive.

Here are a few tips for you to maximize your highs and your lows.

When you're on, save up for a rainy day.

• Do as much as you can. If you blog, for example, write several posts and set some for future publication, or just save them for days when you can't think of anything.
• Keep a pad for ideas. Write everything down, even if you can't work on it right away.
• Notice what you're doing and what's going on around you. Many times it can help pull us out of a creative slump when we replicate the scenarios and events from times we are most creative.

When you're off, take care of business.

• Don't be hard on yourself. Remember that everyone has ups and downs and don't engage in negative self talk, or "stinkin' thinkin'" as Paula Deen would say.
• Catch up on mundane stuff that doesn't require creativity. Organize your files, pay your bills, finish those boring reports.
• Indulge in activities you enjoy or try something new. It might snap you out of your slump.
• Piggy back off of the creativity of others - read, listen to a podcast, or attend a presentation.
• Focus on the execution of an idea you've already worked out.
• Re-connect with friends and colleagues you haven't talked to in a while.