Highlight Picks

From Destruction To Creations: Destroyed trees in city park carved into beautiful works of art. Devastation from fierce storms prompts something beautiful to be created out of the destruction. Sometimes, bad things can be turned into something useful, even beautiful.

Mourning the loss of these sacred trees was surely a dark time for Amboy Illinois residents, but it's what happened next—how the people chose to respond to the tragedy that makes my heart soar. It's an inspiring example of allowing the light of possibility to shine through the darkness of defeat.

See also the tree sculptures that were created.

Crafting Your Business Vision and Values
Where Is Your Business Headed, and What Do You and Your Company Stand For? Your work, like that of most creative entrepreneurs, expresses who you are. Your creative business reflects your vision, values, and voice.

Your vision is the big picture of your business (and your life). It's where you see yourself heading and includes how you're making a positive difference, what success looks and feels like to you, and what makes life and work ripe with fulfillment and meaning.

Building Teams to Help Creativity at Work
As a team leader, do you want to spend your time building your team for creativity at work? ... How do you lead your team? Are you a "star with helpers" or are you "first among equals"? The best approach is a flexible one that depends on the situation. Still, if you want a more "first among equals" style, here's a team building approach that doesn't require using a consultant.

Art of the Song : Eric Maisel

Eric Maisel, PhD: America's Foremost Creativity Coach

America's foremost Creativity Coach Eric Maisel, Ph.D. is a frequent contributor to Art of the Song: Creativity Radio. These essays are reprinted with permission from his on-air segment and are excerpted from his books: "Creativity For Life"; "A Writer's Paris"; "A Writer's San Francisco"; and more. For a complete list of publications, podcasts and workshop opportunities please visit www.ericmaisel.com.

Eric Maisel Interviews & Book Excerpts

Mastering Creative Anxiety by Eric Maisel, PhD Mastering Creative Anxiety Interview & Book Excerpts
If you intend to create, get ready for anxiety. It is coming — and you can handle it beautifully if you use these simple tools and turn yourself into an anxiety management expert. Excerpts:

Brainstorm: Harnessing the Power of Productive Obsessions Interview & Book Excerpt
Gain deeper insight into the world of productive obsessions in this Q & A discussion with Eric Maisel, PhD, about his book Brainstorm: Harnessing the Power of Productive Obsessions. Excerpt: The Logic of Brainstorms

The Van Gogh Blues: The Creative Person's Path Through Depression Interview & Book Excerpt
Learn what The Van Gogh Blues is all about by reading this Q & A discussion with Eric Maisel, PhD, on creativity, depression, life purpose statements, and meaning-making. Excerpt: Meaningful Life, Meaningful Work, Meaningful Days. See also: Free Van Gogh Blues Coaching Self-Guide.

Art of the Song Creativity Radio Creativity Corner Segments by Eric Maisel

Taking the Bad with the Good
By Eric Maisel
In order to create, we must take the bad with the good.

Taking a Creative Escape
By Eric Maisel
A creative escape is a little time-out-of-time that you carve from your schedule to devote to running away to art.

Cultural Permission to Create
By Eric Maisel
You feel at home in Paris because the things that you care about — strolling, thinking, loving, creating — are built into the fabric of the city.

The Opinions of Others
By Eric Maisel
Isn't this a lesson that we have to learn again and again, that every "objective opinion" is an assertion of idiosyncratic personality and not anything like the truth?

Crafting a Starting Ritual
By Eric Maisel
One of the best ways to help yourself create every day is to craft a starting ritual that you begin to use regularly and routinely.

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Creativity Coaching Spotlight

· Kaizen-Muse Stories
· Guided Imagery Visualizations
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