Spring cleaning for your mind

We spent part of our 3-day weekend doing some outdoor spring cleaning; cleaning off our deck and screened-in porch in preparation for all the time we're going to spend outside over the next few months.

It got me thinking about "spring cleaning" on the creative front. Clearing out the clutter (literally and figuratively) that's blocking our creative process. Here are 2 tips that have helped me get a fresh start...

Literally:
Clear off your desk. Physically having the space around you clutter-free can do wonders for your creativity. Purge your area of anything that you aren't working on at the moment (keep in mind: it should only be one thing), and move all "pending" papers to another area. A good rule of thumb when going through papers is: file it, route it, or throw it away!

Figuratively:
Clear up your "to do" list. I have had items on my list that have been there through two different presidents. My advice is to either make that your project of the day, or move it off the list temporarily. Seeing that thorn in your side appear on your list every day only makes your feel bad for not accomplishing something and you start to gloss over it.

Do you have any tips for "spring cleaning for the mind"? Would love to know!

Pink Bubbles

I've been doing some simple meditations over the past couple of months and thought I would share one of my favorites that focuses on achieving goals. It was taken from Shakti Gawain's book, Creative Visualization. Creative visualization is the technique of using your imagination to create what you want in your life.

• Sit or lie down comfortably, close your eyes, and breathe deeply, slowly, and naturally. Gradually relax deeper and deeper.
• Imagine something that you would like to manifest. Imagine that it has already happened. Picture it as clearly as possible in your mind.
• Now, in your mind's eye, surround your fantasy with a pink bubble; put your goal inside the bubble. Pink is the color associated with the heart, and if this color vibration surrounds whatever you visualize, it will bring to you only that which is in perfect affinity with your being.
• The third step is to let go of the bubble and imagine it floating off into the universe, still containing your vision. This symbolizes that you are emotionally "letting go" of it. Now it is free to float around the universe, attracting and gathering energy for its manifestation.

May all your pink bubbles return to you!

Making the most of dryspells

I was talking to a friend recently who mentioned that business was excrutiatingly slow. She asked me how I get through the slower times without going insane. Unfortunately, dryspells don't just apply to owning your own business, it's natural to have a creative dryspell or a slump in just about any arena.

I'll admit, sometimes it's rough. I don't think I'll ever get over that nervous feeling I get when things slow down and I question whether things will ever be busy again!

I am always happier being busy, so for me, the key is to be busy until you really are. I create new projects by reassessing everything about the business. I redo sales materials, work on new product slants, send out press kits, and organize inventory. As it turns out, sometimes a dryspell is a blessing in disguise because it gives me time to really run the business, instead of just keeping up with it. So make the most of it, because sometimes there are no slow times, and then you are thankful for any break.

What do you do when you're in a slump? Are you in a dryspell you can't get out of?

Bees, Tents and Tavernas

As promised, I'm excited to share 3 books I really enjoyed reading on the trip...

"The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd is a wonderful story about finding mothers in unlikely places. Beautifully written, it was easy to become attached to the characters and hard to put down.

"The Red Tent" by Anita Diamant. The author took one line from the bible and weaved a story around it. An amazing, heart-wrenching tale that keeps you entranced from start to finish. Have tissues ready.

"The Summer of My Greek Taverna" by Tom Stone. A memoir that's interesting to read as an entrepreneur (and somewhat frustrating) and a good summer vacation book.

Yassas! ("Hello" in Greek)

I'm back from Greece, stuffed with delicious food, slightly tanned and completely refreshed.

It was an INCREDIBLE trip - hard to even describe how wonderful Greece is. We went to Athens for 2 days (Acropolis is just as amazing as you would think), then flew to Santorini (a.k.a. Heaven on Earth), then took a ferry to Folegandros (no tourists, just an authentic and beautiful island), then back to Santorini for another incredible part of the island.

Highlights from the trip...

• Beaches with "sand" made entirely of smooth colorful pebbles.
• Sunrise - Yes, Kevin dragged my unhappy butt from the bed for a 30 minute hike straight up a goat path at 5:30 am, but it was well worth it.
• Sunsets - we based our day around what time the sun would set so we could see the show and bid a proper goodbye. Something I think we're missing out on here - what a way to live!
• Hikes - everything was actually a hike since Greeks don't believe in either flat paths or straight roads. One in particular was from one part of Santorini to another which was supposedly 6 miles, but I think it was really 9, especially since it was uphill most of the way, on an 8 inch wide path on a cliff with no guardrails, and the wind whipping around the mountain. I should at least get 3 extra miles for "degree of difficulty".
• Food - it was ridiculously good (I ate my weight in feta), and didn't have one bad meal. Plus you can make a meal out of appetizers - my favorite!
• Aegean Sea - it was clear to the bottom, even in deep water, and was this miraculous shade of turquoise that I swear can not be replicated.
• People - they were extremely generous and hospitable, taking the time to talk to us, giving us desserts made by their grandmothers and going out of their way to make us happy.

It was 11 glorious days being unplugged from everything and getting recharged at the same time.

So, I'm back and ready to blog. Read 3 books that I really enjoyed - so I'll pass along reviews shortly! What have you been up to?

"Bon Voyage" in Greek.

There's no way to say this without sounding obnoxious - so I'm just going to say it - we're off to the Greek Islands! This is a trip that Kevin and I have been talking about for years. We have always wanted to go and decided that this summer was our time! Being the controlling person that I am, I love to plan vacations. I revel in reading all the information, mapping out places to go, finding gems that are off-the-beaten-path, and making the most of our days away.

We're going to Athens (I have to see the Acropolis), then to Santorini (looks heavenly), then to Folegandros (a tiny island that's not touristy). I'm looking forward to reading a ton, seeing the Mediterranean, eating amazing food and spending some QT with the hubby.

I promise to provide a full report when I return. Hope you have a great week!

Getting MasterCard to create a commercial for you: Priceless

I saw a commercial for MasterCard the other day that really got my wheels spinning. They were offering the opportunity to write one of their well-known "Priceless" commercials. Immediately, I thought of using it to get a national commercial for the Soap Rolls. How great would that be to have a major commercial filmed and paid for by MasterCard about our little soap rolls? The story alone could get us great attention, and since I've always thought that we're just steps away from that huge "big break" - I thought this could be it!

I wrote the script in my head very quickly... something to the effect of, "Coming up with an alternative to a bar of soap: $450. Turning your house into a soap factory: $3000. Producing 400,000 soap rolls: X amount. Getting MasterCard to create a commercial for you: Priceless."

I went to their website to see about submitting the idea and was pretty bummed to see that they have two storylines already filmed - you have to just fill in the blanks. Wouldn't it be so much better to let people write the whole thing? The way they are doing it - it's still their idea.

Anyway - I think I might still try to submit it - just for the hell of it. What do I have to lose? A "big break" doesn't just land in your lap - it happens when you go out on a limb.

Keep the channel open.

A friend passed this along to me, and now I'm passing it along to you...

There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening
that is translated through you into action,
and because there is only one of you in all time,
this expression is unique.

If you block it,
it will never exist through any other medium
and be lost.
The world will not have it.
It is not your business to determine how good it is;
nor how valuable it is;
nor how it compares with other expressions.
It is your business to keep it yours, clearly and directly,
to keep the channel open.

You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work.
You have to keep open and aware directly
to the urges that motivate you.

Keep the channel open.

No artist is pleased.
There is no satisfaction whatever at any time.
There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction;
a blessed unrest that keeps us marching
and makes us more alive than the others.

-Martha Graham to Agnes Demille

Positive messages for kids

A prospective customer of our baby gear asked me yesterday about other empowering messages that I think are important to surround kids with. I'm not a parent, but I play one on TV - actually, I don't even do that. What I can offer is what I've learned from my parents and other parents that I admire. Rather than quotes, these are general ideas I like.

Encourage them to daydream. It sets a good precedent for dreaming big later on.

Foster their creativity. Always be encouraging when they are expressing their artistic side (when they draw huge circles on your suede couch with a purple marker, maybe not so much. Not that I know anyone that would do that. Again, so sorry, Mom) And for the love of god, let them color outside the lines.

Revel in their silliness. We all know that the sillies get shaken out of you quickly enough when you grow up, so let 'em be a silly goose now. Joining in wouldn't be such a bad idea for you either.

Don't be stingy with praise. And let them overhear you saying complimentary things about them to others.

Have any to add?

My Book List, "The unexpected" and Garden State

What are you reading? I'm looking for books to take on my trip and since I'm always suggesting books, I thought I'd turn the tables on you. Here is what is on my list so far- but it's not set in stone... Barrel Fever by David Sedaris (one of my favorite writers) The Summer of My Greek Taverna by Tom Stone (my sisters suggestion), The Red Tent by Anita Diamant (have been wanting to read this for ages), and The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd (another suggestion from the sister). Have you read any of these or is there a must-read that I'm overlooking? Notice I am not bringing any business-related books... I'm giving myself a rest since that's all I've been reading.

"To put something in the world that was not there before, you have to be able to see that which others before you have overlooked. Both creativity and play involve appreciating paradox and the unexpected." - Author unknown

This CD is not new, but if you don't have it, you're missing out. The Garden State soundtrack is one of those CD's that you can listen to from start to finish without skipping any songs and you can hear it over and over and over and not get sick of it. I swear, if CD's could wear out, mine would have been dust long ago. The reason I bring it up is because I think it's good "thinking" music. I usually don't listen to music while I'm working - I've never mastered the art of being able to fully concentrate while singing - but with this CD I can. It's mellow and calming without putting me to sleep.