Category: Creativity
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Quintessentialism
1. The best way to experience unexpected good things (e.g., positive business and personal outcomes) is to allow yourself to be the quintessential version of you. As much you as you can be. By being yourself and finding the intersections of how you can support other people, you will draw in the people who want…
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Focus on what makes an experience matter, not the experience itself
All the myths, lore, and backstories that you appreciate were crafted carefully and thoughtfully and improved through time, just like products and businesses and relationships. In The Wisdom of Life, philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer writes, “The world in which a man lives shapes itself chiefly by the way in which he looks at it, and so…
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The rise of celebrity-based courses
There’s a course started and being taught by Yassin Alsalman (probably better known as recording artist Narcy) at Concordia University entitled, “Kanye vs. Ye: Genius by Design.” It’s the latest in a continuum of popular music studies. From a brief search there is a: Kid Cudi course at Penn State from 2021 Kanye course from…
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Scripted, or unscripted?
A director leaves a corporate innovation lab to join a rapidly growing competitor, only to rejoin two months later as a VP. The reason for the boomerang wasn’t just the title (a happy bonus for both sides, as morale waned at the innovation lab after a leadership departure), the new VP had actually found that…
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Audiences in the arenas
It used to be that spectating was the only way to experience creative work. Stadiums, arenas, and theaters are based on this premise. People who spectate are known as the audience. Spectating is still an incredibly popular activity—just look at Twitch. Sure, I listen to podcasts, I watch films and TV, and I read. I…
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Hard Work, Plus
In September 2007, J. Cole stood outside Roc-the-Mic studios in the rain for 2 hours waiting for Jay-Z to hand him a beats tape for American Gangster. The second Jay-Z saw it, he said, “I don’t want that, give it to one of them.” That’s why self-promotion is, understandably, one of the most dislikeable parts…
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The Museum of You
At the Museum of Innocence in Istanbul, named after his novel of the same title, author Orhan Pamuk proposes a manifesto. Here’s an excerpt: “I am against these precious monumental institutions being used as blueprints for future museums. Museums should explore and uncover the universe and humanity of the new and modern man emerging from…
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Lighthouses
If you want to build something, and aren’t certain what yet, start by making work that brings people together. In other words, build a lighthouse for people to swim towards and congregate. Add value to their life—through insight, delight, or convenience. Analyses, templates, and free job boards are all great examples of lighthouses. (Memes can…
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Permission to Wonder
The millionaire author is sitting on the stage, and the host is taking questions. “Hi, great speech. I want to write books, just like you. I’ve met a couple of agents, I’m halfway through writing a book proposal, and I’ve got a very small mailing list. I know I should be promoting myself more, and…
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Why your backstory is a key to referrals and word of mouth marketing
In our result-oriented culture, it’s essential to focus on tangible, real, results. Shipping real work. Start a real business. Make real money. Drive real results. Working with real clients. Releasing real articles. Author Bernadette Jiwa sums up the mindset well in Story Driven: “We might register a domain name, get a logo designed, build a…