Nicholas Bate

Price: cool thinking from..

Cultural Offering

Get back in the shower

In films the shower scene is either a chance for steamy-if possibly uncomfortable-sex scene or a dastardly murder, or both. In everyday Life, the shower is an amazing chance to think. Pretty well everyone agrees that. Why is it so effective? I think it's because:
-we really do-for once-get solitude: no phone/radio/TV..
-it's soothing: the constant stream of warm water de-stresses..
-it's a habit and we can pick up on yesterday's ruminations..
You're going to need all the creative and effective critical thinking you can get in 2008: so get back in the shower. More often, for longer!

Boost your Creativity..

..with your very own blog.

101 ways to become more creative

are nicely explained here...

Need more ideas?

A very useful article is here.

Like a fight?

An intellectual one, that is? Try here. It'll certainly improve your understanding of Long Tail theory.

How to Think like Steve Jobs

1. The past is history; you can design the future. Whatever happens (and here are the seven stages of Steve so far), you can’t change the past. Learn from it, move on and make the future even better.
2. Design, no aesthetics is the new differentiator. People are busy, people are hassled. They want ease, simplicity and-let’s say it-beauty from their products. Whether it’s a solid product (iPhone) or a service.
3. Communicate; don’t PowerPoint. The latter is not effective: the evidence is there. Catch up up on some of Steve’s presenstations on YouTube.
4. Excellence is a mantra; not a bullet on a slide. You have to be it before you can do it before you can have it.
5. Be passionate and believe; eventually the market will get it. Whether you are Steve Jobs or The Beatles or the new Volvo, the best lead their audience.
6. Innovation is a way of life. How old is the iPod; how many improvements to date? Quite.
7. Be grateful. Read this.

When did you get old?

Whatever your chronological age, stay agile. Your mental age can stay remarkably flexible: read, discuss, stay open-minded. Avoid labelling yourself e.g. "that's just the way I am" or "at my age....". What you do have is experience, wisdom, sensitivity....just don't lose agility.

Why is it so hard to change?

There's a presupposition there. How about if you decided it was easy to change? How about if you thought I have changed in the past so I could change now. How about?
You're 'maxed out'. Create some time so that you have some to change. Change needs an opportunity: give it that opportunity.
You're not clear on the change you want. Make it sensory rich. Fill in the detail. What will it look like? Sound like? Feel like?
You're unwilling to 'let go'. You want it all and it's preventing you enjoying what you do have. Be here now; enjoy the journey as well as the destination.

Brilliant at the Basics

Whatever you do this week, be brilliant at the basics e.g.

in that meeting
ask: what do we want to walk out of the door with in 1h's time?
in that presentation
think: what change do I want in my audience?
in that sales call
consider: what do they want which only we can offer?
for your personal productivity
ask: what are the vital few, the real high pay-offs?
for your work-life balance
decide your zones (e.g. you+kids zone), beyond which you will not trespass
for your health
walk every lunch-time; rain or shine
for your kids
be interested and interesting
for the changes you seek
start. Now.