Adopt the Flood

Floods change things.

They change the landscape. They alter the shape and movement of the river. They redesign the riverbanks. They dig in deep and they deposit sediments and debris in odd places.

Floods are inevitable. And often disastrous. But they don't have to be.

In fact, to the best of our abilities, we can prepare in advance for a flood. We can build appropriately along our river. We can erect supports and dig overflow channels. We can have help on standby. And we can simply be aware of seasons that might require our attention more so than others.

And of course, we can learn from the last flood, or another's flood experience, and take appropriate steps too, right?

Our projects, teams, and schedules aren't much different. The life of a practicing creative is one that's preparing for the flood.

The flood of ideas.

...opportunities.

...invites.

...offers.

...flops.

...interest.

...disagreements.

...tours.

...relationships.

Whatever it is, part of the role of the working creative is to observe and prepare. To set boundaries: creatively, vocationally, personally, financially, spiritually, etc.

No, this isn't about living in fear of the flood, after all, you might find yourself in an endless drought. But it is about adopting the flood mentality.

Besides, if you're going to live by the creative river, you've already jumped into the fray. Now it's just a matter of how serious you're willing to take your role and your work.

Adopt the flood mindset. I dare you.

Wear the Jacket

I'm not in on the whole "the clothes make the man" deal, but I get it.

I have not and cannot engage in a coaching session in my pjs, even over the phone. And when it comes to my writing blocks, alone at my desk, either early in the morn or late at night? Dressed and ready for the day. And all the more with my writing blazer on.

The blazer is a symbol for both the project and the process.

It's part of the environment.

And it's a line in the sand separating my time out there doing life, and my time in here creating in flow.

I didn't grow up wearing sports coats. I'm much more comfortable with flannels and flip-flops and t-shirts and my ratty old Menard's two-pocket waist apron for projects around the house.

And while the blazer isn't some magic token that'll grow my coaching business beanstalk to the heavens...

It seems to me that sometimes I (you as well) just need to accept the eccentricity of a creative mindset shift and wear the jacket. Create. Move on. Then do it again the next day.

Does the jacket make the man? Maybe not. But it does seem to signify a scene change.

Mr. Rogers modeled this pretty well. How about you?

Rake the Leaves

I have a small yard.

And that's a bit of an understatement.

And in my yard, along the back property line, is a small crab apple tree next to a giant maple. As deciduous trees do in Ohio each fall, the leaves come down. And what's cool about my little property is that all of my neighbors' giant oaks and maples are positioned just right so that their leaves end up in my little backyard.

Which means more leaves and larger piles.

My kids love this. I used to love this. And while I appreciate the exercise, and totally enjoy leaf fights, whipping leaves toward my kids, and watching my five-year-old bury herself in them...I'm not entirely motivated at the start of each fall to get out there and move them to the curb for collection.

I like to watch them fall with a hot coffee. Not so much the raking.

If I wait too long, they kill the grass beneath.

If I wait too long, it inevitably rains and they get heavy, slimy, and no fun to play with.

If I wait and it snows then the city will stop collection.

But if I make a plan to get out there on that first evening after the leaves have finally begun to pile up, rally the kids to help, and leave enough space to have fun without stress...well, what could be a yard full of scattered leaves for a month turns into a couple of piles along the curb, some family time, a few games, some green grass, great exercise, a clear mind, and a raked yard.

If I just get out there and rake the leaves, one pile at a time, it'll work itself out.

How are you raking your leaves?

Seriously. How are you assessing the projects around you and scheduling time to tackle one project, one batch, or one leaf each morning until you can see the grass before the next fall?

Don't wait. The leaves aren't going anywhere.