This is my favorite part of the process.

It's the AHA part!  The part where you're standing in the shower... or wandering through your commute... or sitting on the porch with a glass of wine (ok, that one doesn't actually happen all that often, but isn't it a nice image?!)... and then BAM! IT COMES TO YOU!

When I was in grad school, finishing up my Master's degree - with a brand, spanking-new one-month old! - I remember waking up in the middle of the night with the PERFECT ending to my final project! I was so excited! But I was also so tired. So without realizing what was happening, I fell back to sleep (like only a new parent can do) and when I woke up the next morning, I couldn't remember it! It was gone. Like, poof. Gone. Totally blank. All I knew was that something brilliant came to me in the middle of the night.

That's how these things work. (If you want to hear more about this kind of magical idea-floating thing, just read Elizabeth Gilbert's book, Big Magic. I am slightly obsessed with it.)

So, the key for anyone who is in the mode of REALIZING (and it happens more and more the more we are digging into this process) - is that you have to be ready to capture it.

Joel Boggess – author, speaker, broadcast journalist – and host of the highly-acclaimed podcast “Re-Launch” with over 200,000 listeners – joined me for a conversation about how to build your influence, whether in front of an audience or over the airwaves. Joel is a generous spirit – giving so thoughtfully of his expertise in the podcasting community, which is where I met him! Together we talked about the growth of Re-Launch, and how he’s translated his expertise to become a teacher and mentor through his speaking engagements. Enjoy!

JOEL: Received a very personal letter and package from a listener letting Joel know of the hope and inspiration he's found through the Re-Launch show, and giving him hope to move forward. That kind of feedback is so powerful! Thanks for sharing, Joel...

SALLY:  Went to a live event and got to experience the delight and thrill of "live" events! Marlon James and Dave Eggers with the MOI -  Two people, in conversation. The intimacy of their conversation was moving and powerful! A reminder that conversations that can happen on a podcast or between two people on stage can be so powerful when people can listen in on them!

Thanks for listening. I'm grateful for you,

Joel Boggess – author, speaker, broadcast journalist – and host of the highly-acclaimed podcast “Re-Launch” with over 200,000 listeners – joined me for a conversation about how to build your influence, whether in front of an audience or over the airwaves. Joel is a generous spirit – giving so thoughtfully of his expertise in the podcasting community, which is where I met him! Together we talked about the growth of Re-Launch, and how he’s translated his expertise to become a teacher and mentor through his speaking engagements. Enjoy!

JOEL: Received a very personal letter and package from a listener letting Joel know of the hope and inspiration he's found through the Re-Launch show, and giving him hope to move forward. That kind of feedback is so powerful! Thanks for sharing, Joel...

SALLY:  Went to a live event and got to experience the delight and thrill of "live" events! Marlon James and Dave Eggers with the MOI -  Two people, in conversation. The intimacy of their conversation was moving and powerful! A reminder that conversations that can happen on a podcast or between two people on stage can be so powerful when people can listen in on them!

Thanks for listening. I'm grateful for you,

We are in week three of this 5-part series on the creative process! Yay! If you haven't yet listened to parts one and two, go ahead and do that first so this all makes more sense.

Today's Mini Moved Me is all about how we can REFRAME our work.

In other words, are we open to seeing our work in a different way? Exploring the possibilities? Stretching the approaches? Often, the tools in our tool belt - i.e., all the research we are continuously doing - makes it possible to see our work in a different light.

Creating something "new" is really about seeing the old in new ways, and making it your own.

[Tweet "As #speakers - reframing is important if we are to bring new insight to old ideas (and they're all old ideas). "]

Some ideas from Andy in terms of how we can "reframe" as we're creating something new:

-What Works Matrix by Jack Welch - identifying people, companies, organizations that are doing it well (not exactly like you - but something you aspire to)

-Expect and plan on trying and failing. There is so much to learn as we try and find the new!

-If we want to be able to reframe we need to literally step away, retreat, slow down and NOT think about what we're focused on. Our brain makes connections in the unconscious - so sleep, quiet, reflection - even zoning out in the shower - are essential to the creative process.

Tune in for next week's continuation of this conversation - focusing on the "AHA Moment" - what Andy calls REALIZE!

We are in week three of this 5-part series on the creative process! Yay! If you haven't yet listened to parts one and two, go ahead and do that first so this all makes more sense.

Today's Mini Moved Me is all about how we can REFRAME our work.

In other words, are we open to seeing our work in a different way? Exploring the possibilities? Stretching the approaches? Often, the tools in our tool belt - i.e., all the research we are continuously doing - makes it possible to see our work in a different light.

Creating something "new" is really about seeing the old in new ways, and making it your own.

[Tweet "As #speakers - reframing is important if we are to bring new insight to old ideas (and they're all old ideas). "]

Some ideas from Andy in terms of how we can "reframe" as we're creating something new:

-What Works Matrix by Jack Welch - identifying people, companies, organizations that are doing it well (not exactly like you - but something you aspire to)

-Expect and plan on trying and failing. There is so much to learn as we try and find the new!

-If we want to be able to reframe we need to literally step away, retreat, slow down and NOT think about what we're focused on. Our brain makes connections in the unconscious - so sleep, quiet, reflection - even zoning out in the shower - are essential to the creative process.

Tune in for next week's continuation of this conversation - focusing on the "AHA Moment" - what Andy calls REALIZE!

You can listen in iTunes, Stitcher - or, if you're on the website, scroll to the bottom of the post for the player!

I always enjoy talking with Paul - and sharing his insight here with you. We didn't get to a This Moved Me Moment so we could focus on his story - so tune in next week for more of our regular TMM Moments!

Enjoy,

You can listen in iTunes, Stitcher - or, if you're on the website, scroll to the bottom of the post for the player!

I always enjoy talking with Paul - and sharing his insight here with you. We didn't get to a This Moved Me Moment so we could focus on his story - so tune in next week for more of our regular TMM Moments!

Enjoy,

We are in week two of diving into the Creative Process! Last week's episode laid the foundation for this series - so if you haven't listened to it yet, go back and listen to that one now as it will help this all make a little more sense!

Today's Mini Moved Me is all about RESEARCH.

"Research" means feeding your brain with good stuff. Podcasts, audio books, music, YouTube videos, Lynda courses, UdeMe, reading books, taking online courses, talking to experts, talking to friends. Even scrolling Facebook could be considered "research." (Or, at least, that's my excuse for the wormhole of time I spend on there sometimes...)  It can be specifically about your topic - or, it can be seemingly un-related.

Of course, we all know that things are connected in ways we can't always see initially.

We feed our brains as a part of the process  so when an opportunity arises to CREATE, we have all this juice in our nogins that makes our creations rich, connected, vibrant, interesting, thoughtful...

Sometimes, this "research" becomes the basis for the analogies/metaphors/experiences that can make our work powerful.

But let's be real: all this research can also be overwhelming. Andy (today's guest, and my husband) - is a productivity expert, so he shares with us some of his favorite "hacks" for capturing all of what the world is throwing at us (and that we are picking up).

Here are some of the "hacks" to capture all of the "research" that abounds:

Tune in for next week's continuation of this conversation - focusing on REFRAMING!

We are in week two of diving into the Creative Process! Last week's episode laid the foundation for this series - so if you haven't listened to it yet, go back and listen to that one now as it will help this all make a little more sense!

Today's Mini Moved Me is all about RESEARCH.

"Research" means feeding your brain with good stuff. Podcasts, audio books, music, YouTube videos, Lynda courses, UdeMe, reading books, taking online courses, talking to experts, talking to friends. Even scrolling Facebook could be considered "research." (Or, at least, that's my excuse for the wormhole of time I spend on there sometimes...)  It can be specifically about your topic - or, it can be seemingly un-related.

Of course, we all know that things are connected in ways we can't always see initially.

We feed our brains as a part of the process  so when an opportunity arises to CREATE, we have all this juice in our nogins that makes our creations rich, connected, vibrant, interesting, thoughtful...

Sometimes, this "research" becomes the basis for the analogies/metaphors/experiences that can make our work powerful.

But let's be real: all this research can also be overwhelming. Andy (today's guest, and my husband) - is a productivity expert, so he shares with us some of his favorite "hacks" for capturing all of what the world is throwing at us (and that we are picking up).

Here are some of the "hacks" to capture all of the "research" that abounds:

Tune in for next week's continuation of this conversation - focusing on REFRAMING!

Have you heard of the Women’s Speaker’s Association? The WSA has been a great source of support and resource for me – and it’s also where I’ve made some great connections, including today’s guest. Christy Primmer is a speaker, author, coach, counselor – even spelling bee champion! - and she is a pro. She brings her sassy self to the stage, mastering the art of taking about tough subjects with finesse and care.