September 2009
     Sent 10/1/2009

Sharing Creative Energy Newsletter
By Darla Arni

Sharing Creative Energy Newsletter is a free monthly, or whenever Darla can get it out, publication for clients, friends and subscribers who want to be more creative, energetic and productive in their life and work. © 2009 Darla Arni

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In This Issue:
     Innovation Nation
     Quote of the Month
     Mensa Moment
     Darla Speaks Out!

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INNOVATION NATION

For the past year we have heard much about the need for creative thinking, for new solutions to old problems and how we can navigate through the global recession.  Creativity is the mental process of connecting unrelated ideas or experiences to form new ideas.  Many ideas are never transformed into new products, new solutions, or new services.  I am a perfect example; I have sticky notes, backs of envelopes, margins of programs, deposit slips, paper bags and yes, sometimes even regular paper filled with ideas that come to me when I least expect them.  I capture every idea, observation and insight that sparks my brain and put them into an idea file because I never know which one will be the ONE that changes everything, that is the breakthrough that will make the world a better place.  The late author and radio personality Earl Nightingale once said, “Ideas are like slippery fish; they have a peculiar knack for getting away from us unless we gaff them on the point of a pencil.”  Do I act on every new idea?  No, but I do revisit the file on a regular basis to see which ideas are still viable and which ones should be discarded.  The brilliant thought I have at four in the morning often dims with the light of day and reason, however it may be the stepping stone to an even better idea that will make all the difference!

Creativity alone does not guarantee innovation.  Creativity involves thinking while innovation involves doing. Theodor Levitt, author and Harvard Business Review editor said it best, “A powerful new idea can kick around unused in a company for years, not because its merits are not recognized, but because nobody has assumed the responsibility for converting it from words into action. Ideas are useless unless used. The proof of their value is only in their implementation.”

Start generating ideas that can be acted upon to produce innovation by implementing the following techniques.

5 WAYS TO ENCOURAGE CREATIVITY IN YOUR ORGANIZATION

1. Reduce fear of failure:  If the stakes are high and success is the only goal, you can bet the most creative ideas will not be shared for fear of failing.  Where there is fear there is worry, self-judgment and anxiety that will inhibit the flow of ideas.  Forget about punishing failure and let the ideas flow.
2. Encourage everyone to offer ideas:  The most creative people are not always the most forceful and may need encouragement to share their ideas with those they perceive as more powerful.   Ideas should be allowed to flow from bottom to top not just from the leaders on down.
3. Suspend judgment:  No idea is a bad idea and shooting down another’s idea is not allowed.  Be alert for what I call ‘Killer Phrases’ that squelch creativity such as, “We tried that before and it didn’t work”, “Why not leave well enough alone”, and “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.  (You can get a copy of my newest Top Killer Phrases list by emailing me at darla@darlaarni.com.)
4. Make creativity/creative thinking a habit:  Pose questions and challenging statements to encourage creative thought in yourself and others.  Take initiative and form a group that bounces creative ideas off of each other on a regular basis.
5. Institute an idea journal:  The best ideas come to us throughout the day as we encounter frustrations with reality.  I frequently find myself musing, “I wish someone would invent” and then fill in the blank with whatever it is that I need at the time.  Why not write those ideas down in a journal and become the person that invents the new item, or process, or technology instead of waiting for someone else to do it for you? You will be surprised with the number of good creative ideas you generate!

By implementing these techniques you are well on your way to turning us into an Innovation Nation. Start now!

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QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“Learning and innovation go hand in hand. The arrogance of success is to think that what you did yesterday will be sufficient for tomorrow.”                                                                                                                                      
- William Pollard

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WHY AM I OFFERING PRIVATE TELESEMINARS?

• To fit your time schedule, not someone’s two time zones away.
• To save you time and money.
• Because not everyone gets to attend every conference.
• To share my much needed message with a broader audience.
• It just makes sense!

Audience members always come up to me after presentations and say, “I wish everyone in our office could hear this message”.  Well now they can!  Your office, department, branch or company can afford to schedule private teleseminars that address your needs, challenges, and unique set of circumstances.  Starting in September I will offer the following topics in teleseminar format:

• The Energy of Attitude
• The Creative Mindset
• Up Thinking in a Down World

Call today to schedule a teleseminar that fits your schedule and budget while bringing a renewed sense of power and commitment to your work environment!  You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

For complete information and answers to all your questions call 660-529-2969 or email Darla.

Please pass this information along to whoever makes training decisions for your organization.

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MENSA MOMENT

Joey’s mom brought out a plate of cookies for him and four friends. Unfortunately, there was one cookie too many to divide them evenly. The, Ben cam in and they figured that each of them could get the same number of cookies. The kids were just about to eat when Sarah came through the door. Sadly, the cookies could not be divided evenly any more. But Joey pointed that if they gave one to his mom, the rest would divide evenly. How many cookies were on the plate? (Hint: there were fewer than 100.)

E-mail your answer to Darla. The first 15 correct answers will be entered in our prize drawing. Good luck!

Last Month’s Answer:

Slooth should arrest the man in the Civic. Chiller is calling from Thunder Bay, Ontario, where they measure the temperature in Celsius. Thirty degrees Celsius is 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

Congratulations to our August drawing winner, Linda Bowers! Linda, please email me an address so I can send your prize.

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DARLA SPEAKS OUT

The blog: http://www.darlaarni.com.blogspot.com/    Periodic reflections on the life we are living.

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Darla Arni is a Professional Speaker, Artist and Author of:
30 Ways to Share Creative Energy at Home
Sharing Creative Energy Newsletter.
Co-Author: Life Compass for Women
Co-Author: 66 Secrets to Less Stress

Sharing Creative Energy
e-mail Darla
660.529.2969 voice
660.815.7262 cell

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