Ever since I saw the ads come out some month’s ago, I have thought that changing Shreddies’ traditional square shape to a diamond shape was quite a wonderfully tongue in cheek marketing idea.

It also got me thinking about how easy it is sometimes to change our perspectives just by looking at something from a slightly different angle. Something that has been keeping us stuck, or a problem we have been contemplating – sometimes we just can’t get past the “way it is”. Try turning that problem, that idea or perception 90 degrees and see what comes up.

Every once in awhile a slight shift in perspective can spark wonderful new ideas and creativity.

Here’s what a press release said about the new Shreddies:
“The new cereal, developed using innovative 45-degree rotational technology, gives Shreddies cereal geometric superiority while living up to its tradition of great flavour and whole wheat goodness.”

You may think, as many others apparently do, that this is a really dumb marketing ploy. Personally, it brings a smile to my face and reminds me that changing a perspective can be as easy and fun as turning it on its side!

Just in case you haven’t seen some of the ads, check out this link. It’s quite hilarious!

And, let us know what you think:-)

Do you want to get more creative? Think outside the box? Come up with some vibrant, fun and innovative ideas for your business, organization, or your life? Have you been mulling over some ideas for a new business start up? Or trying to think of a new way to do an old job that you’ve been putting off?

Where do you go for help?

Well, a coach like me, is an obvious place to start. But, if you’re looking for something a little out of the ordinary that you can play with on your own time, I just came across a wonderful website that absolutely fits the bill.

The Idea Champions website has a fun and brilliant “Free the Genie Card Game” that will get you literally jumping out of the box! This is what they say about the Free the Genie cards on their site:

“Because the genie is the archetypal symbol of unexpressed potential — the hidden force within us all capable of turning inspired dreams into reality. In Aladdin’s time, all it took was a rub of the lamp to free this power. Today, all it takes is some dedicated time and the willingness to interact with this very upbeat, engaging and graphically compelling breakthrough thinking tool. It’s fun. It’s simple. And it gets results.”

You can play the cards for free online, or you can buy the deck and other products from there site. So, this isn’t advertising, I have no affiliation with this site. I just think it is really exciting and fun!

So, check it out at: http://www.ideachampions.com/free_the_genie_intranet.shtml

And, leave a comment here to share if you come up with a doozy of a new idea!

Here’s a fun link to a page on Wine Spectator’s site where you can test your wine knowlege: Wine Spectator Wine Quiz. It has a fun, interactive Wine Challenge (I only scored 40% the first time around on the wine & cheese one :-(  Let me know how you do!); a “Name that wine” game; and a “What am I tasting” test.

 So, go ahead - maybe you know a little more than you think you do. Or maybe you’ll just learn something new. Lots of fun either way.

 Cheers!

Don’t you just love it when the “experts” tell you what you already know

 “Wine is the pleasantest subject in the world to discuss. All its associations are with occasions when people are at their best; with relaxation, contentment, leisurely meals and the free flow of ideas.”

Hugh Johnson, wine book author

Wow. I really wasn’t sure I was ready for this.

Over the past few years, I’ve watched my friends become grandparents and laughed at them. I would tease them that as soon as their grandbaby was born, their minds would start turning to mush! They’ve all told me that it is an experience like no other.

Now it’s my turn. My daughter and her husband are expecting their first baby at the end of January.

Yikes! I guess I’m going to test out my theory. And, I’m really kind of excited

I just watched Randy Pausch’s “Last Lecture” a couple of days ago. Man o’Man that is a powerful video!

You may have heard of him: he was a professor at the Carnegie Mellon University who gave his “Last Lecture” to the University this past fall. The “Last Lecture” is traditionally a chance for professors to give the lecture they’d love to give if it were to be their last. For Randy, it really was. He found out just weeks before the lecture that he had incurable pancreatic cancer.

That lecture has now become famous. It has been watched by millions of viewers on YouTube, was reprised on Oprah, and has been made into a best selling book. Of course I’d heard of him, but only just took the time to watch the video (all 104 minutes!).

Randy died a few weeks ago, but has left an enduring legacy in his message about fulfilling childhood dreams that he wrote for his kids and delivered in that lecture.

One of the many things that he said that really stuck with me was that you can decide if you want to be a Tigger or an Eyeore. That is so true!! You have the choice to be happy right now, today. Or the choice to be mopey, sad, and downtrodden.

I’ll take the bouncy, cheerful, fun loving Tigger any day!!

Take the time to watch the video. You’ll be glad you did. Here’s the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo

How committed are you to your dreams and ambitions?

There is power in absolute conviction and the commitment to do whatever it takes to move you forward.

Consider the following quote:

“Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too.

All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issue from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no many could have dreamt would come his way.” W.H. Murray

Here’s an exercise that I am practicing myself right now to increase the level of commitment to my goals:

I have created a commitment statement. Like an affirmation, it states: I am committed to…. creating…… Several times a day, I stop and focus and re-commit. I am very intentional about creating the feeling of strong commitment during this exercise.

And, guess what? I am noticing that opportunities are appearing, and successes are mounting almost without effort. Hmmm. Maybe this actually works?

What would you commit to 110% if you knew you couldn’t fail?

Why don’t you try it on for size? Let me know how it goes!

If you were a super hero, who would you be? What are the qualities you would be admired for? What would you look like? What super human powers would you have?

Try out this link to HeroMachine 2.5 to create your own super hero. See what you come up with….. I know I’m going to spend some time with it, just for fun!

When I work with clients to help them identify the things they love to do, they often get stumped. They tell me they don’t know what it is they really enjoy.

Of course, they do. But, it’s easy to get into that rut and be blind to those things that really get you energized and enthused.

Here’s a great idea I got from reading an article in the Readers Digest this morning:

Keep a diary of everything you do during your day. Then, at the end of the day, rate those activities on a scale of, say, 1 - 5. Number 1 being “I hate doing this, I wish I never had to do it again” to number 5 being “wow! that was great. I could have done that all day”.

Do this for a week or so, and you should start to see some patterns emerge. You will have visible proof of what you really love to do! Simple? I thought so.

Wanna give it a try?

I WILL WAIT……………
Here is a story and a moral about having faith and taking action:

A big flood hit a village. Everyone was evacuated and fled for safety, except for one man who said, “God will save me.
I have faith.” As the water level rose, a jeep came to rescue him but he refused help and said, “God will save me. I have faith.”

As the water level rose further, he went up to the second story, and a boat came to help him. Again he refused to go saying, “God will save me. I have faith.”

The water kept rising and finally he climbed to the roof. A helicopter came to rescue him, but he said, “God will save me. I have faith.”

Finally he drowned.

When he came face to face with his Maker he angrily commented, “I have complete faith in you. Why did you ignore my prayers and let me drown?” The Lord replied, “Who do you think sent the jeep, the boat, and the helicopter?”

AND THE MORAL?
It doesn’t matter whether we trust in God, the Universe, the Law of Attraction, or anything else if we aren’t willing to take responsibility and help ourselves!

Make your plans and dreams, set and commit to your goals, trust that they will come true. Then seize every opportunity that comes your way! Act now!

Choose to really reach out and take responsibility for creating the life you want.

If you would like help to clarify your dreams and goals, or to identify those opportunities you may be overlooking, contact me for a complimentary coaching session! I can help.