Creative People’s Post

Dreaming has always been a cherished pastime. Sometimes the dreams are grand, other times they are modest, but they are consistently fresh and innovative. No boundaries, no restrictions, and no "ifs" or "buts" exist in dreams. In the world of dreams, freedom allows us to expand our thinking beyond the limits of possibility. Whether it's envisioning a groundbreaking business idea, contemplating a social solution, or dreaming up a DIY project, the possibilities are endless. During one of these dreaming sessions, a crazy idea crossed my mind — what if we could measure dreams? Imagine having a "dream-o-meter" that quantifies the vast expanse of our dreams. If such a device existed, I believe this time of the year would see the collective social dream-o-meter constantly hitting the red zone. While the 1st of January is technically just another day, there's a profound impact on the way we perceive ourselves on this date. Despite time being non-linear, there's a collective sentiment that the 1st of January marks a new beginning, an opportunity to fulfil fresh dreams, and a chance to rectify past mistakes. So, as the calendar turns to 2024, I extend my wishes to all for a year filled with remarkable new dreams. Happy New Year! May your dreams know no bounds.

According to feedback I crowdsourced from my professional network, great team building activities... 1. Are chosen with everyone’s input in mind. 2. Are ideally company sponsored. 3. Are voluntary. 4. Involve food (and maybe drink, depending on your crowd). 5. Allow you to learn or try something new. 6. Foster friendly competition. 7. Introduce you to new people. 8. Give people the opportunity to share stories and learn about each other organically. 9. Enable smaller, more intimate conversation to form deeper connections. 10. Build trust. 11. Give you insight on how to better work with your team moving forward. 12. Allow you to problem solve with your team. Do you agree? What would you add to this list? P.S. Playing my team building card game "Let's Circle Back" at a work-sponsored happy hour hits on a lot of these :) More info at letscirclebackgames.com.

Don't do this.... Go grocery shopping when you're hungry 🥑🍕🍨🍓. If there's nothing left on the shelves when you go grocery shopping for the holiday, I apologize in advance - it's my fault....plus I was only buying for me! 🛒 I've kept kind-of quiet on here lately while I just soak in what the universe is clearly trying to tell me. But I wanted to check in to say hi, so I don't just become part of the wallpaper in silence on Linkedin. My account sat here collecting dust for years because I didn't feel I "fit in" on Linkedin (I know I'm not alone in this). So glad to have met some pretty great people through this community, and reconnected with many others. This past year has been such a struggle for so many, myself included. After being rejected from several jobs over the past year and a half, and moving myself to a whole other state to find better opportunities for myself, it's evident what I was doing wasn't working - or what I deserve. It doesn't mean there's anything any of us are lacking, or anything wrong with you - it's the job market. Period. I encourage those who are in this boat, to maybe spend a little time thinking about how you can take your skills outside of a job, and independently take things into your own hands (at least for now). You probably have a whole network of people who could use your help, and they're sitting right in front of you💡. Don't just look straight ahead using this one job title you may have. Take the blinders off and use your creativity to INDEPENDENTLY create your own livelihood-you have more to offer than you think. Anyways, that was a total bread crumb (grocery shopping pun intended), but I'll share more very soon about what I've been working on. Until then, I hope everyone has a very safe and happy 4th of July week! 🌟

For the first time...ever…I took the whole week of Christmas off to spend with my kids. In all the years I was working in corporate, my company always gave us the week of Christmas off. But when I was working corporate, I was also doing my business on the side so I always looked at that week as time for me to work full time on my business. To get a ton of stuff done to start the next year off on the right foot and get me closer to going full time (which eventually did happen). So while I listened to my co-workers talking about what they did with their time off, I never really took the time to enjoy it myself. But last month, I decided I was going to do it. I'm my own boss, I was in a good position work-wise, I knew I could do it - so I did it. I set up my OOO, scheduled out my content as normal, and rescheduled any client calls that fell during that week. I did everything I could to make sure that things were still going to operate as if I were online....even though I wouldn't be. And I really enjoyed it! Christmas was Monday and we got to just hang out at home as a family. Tuesday my husband had off so we still just hung around as a family and relaxed letting the kids play with their new toys. Wednesday I met up with a friend and we took the kids to the Ecotarium. Thursday I deep cleaned our bathrooms because they needed it! And Friday I met up with my mom and brother to take the kids to the children's museum. We had a fun, crazy, enjoyable week.... All the while my business was running on the back end and wound up booking me three new sales calls for when I returned. Three new sales calls while I was out enjoying my family and time off from my business. And don't get me wrong, I was nervous about taking the week off, but seeing those three messages come through just gave me the reminder and reassurance that it is possible to take a break from your business and still make sales. The key is to not only be clear on your messaging, but have the right process in place. So you can have your business running smooth on the front end while you're focusing on yourself and your family on the back end. And if you want to take any vacations this year and have a *true* vacation (not one where you pack your laptop to get some work done here and there), you need to gain clarity on your messaging and create a bullet proof process. Which I can help you do. So book a call with me and let's chat about your plans for the year and what vacations you're dying to take (without a laptop) and I'll map out a plan of how we can get you there together. https://lnkd.in/dJ7xxVcg

Throwback Saturday: The No-Bummer Summer of 1959👇 One favorite early-June tradition: making a No-Bummer Summer list! What DOESN’T go on the list? ❌ Anything related to work. ❌ Anything that puts pressure on me. ❌ Anything that has even a whiff of productivity associated with it. What DOES go on the list? ✅ Adventuring… Exploring… Relaxing… ✅ Fun projects I’ve been putting off for too long. ✅ Spending more time with the folks I enjoy spending time with. If it happens, great. If not, no worries.     My No-Bummer Summer list so far:   ✅  As many visits to my kids and grandkids as they will tolerate.    ✅  Read several chick-lit novels deemed “too trashy” for Book Club.    ✅  Eat dinner on the patio at least once per week.   ✅  Take Mom to a jazz festival.   ✅ Figure out a few outings to zoos, museums, baseball games, beaches, ice cream parlors, afternoon tea party emporiums, fancy yarn stores, and outdoor concerts.   The list is not about accomplishments, measurements, grades, or reports about “what I did during my summer vacation.”   Just joy, inspiration, relaxation, and a sense of adventure. 👉 👉 👉 What’s on YOUR No-Bummer Summer list?

I'm currently sitting in a waiting room thinking about what has been my first year of agency ownership, and in particular what has been our very first summer slump. If I'm honest, it made that first anniversary of Area Code Audio hit different. When August 1st rolled around and it was finally time to celebrate, all I could do was wonder whether this was even working in the first place. But things can change fast, and while the future isn't as clear as I'd like, things are looking more hopeful for Area Code Audio this month. The most unnerving thing about the summer is that it can often feel like sitting in the waiting room, just waiting for something to happen. I don't love feeling like I've lost control in that way. So what did I do to cope? - I spent time with some old, trusted friends who know what it's like to stress over this kind of stuff, know where to challenge me, but aren't going to judge or shame me. - LOTS of honest conversation with my spouse, about what's going on, what it means, and how we might adjust in the meantime. - Take the time to process. Less clients means less work, so this was an excellent time to rethink, revise, and revise what Area Code does and how Area Code works. If you've had a rough summer, solidarity! I'd love to know how you got through it. Asking for a friend.

Apropos of absolutely nothing, and to the relief of no one, I would like to publicly announce I have taken a step back from my previous stance. +++$$$$%%%%----!!!@@@-??? 👩🎓 I am also finding my favorite pastime is solving puzzles that are desiring to have no underlying basis in any sort of objective and solid reality. 🤔 🤔 🤔 Every angle that moves from the outside and touches the edge of the inside fizzles off into emptiness. 😆 😖 And every explanation can end up based upon a wrong assumption, as they would like to have it. 😱 Of course you still have to plug along bit by bit taking the world as serious, as it seems to present itself to be, because in the end even a single heart matters an infinite matter, and details are important, even if fuzzy in their meaning. 🙄 And things present themselves in a certain way for a reason, even if that reason is unknown. That is a path. 🙊 And I try not to take things for granted, especially what is given. Quick shred the evidence Jim!! (As they whisper the value of silence, the virtues of letting go, the endless need to learn to respect the boundaries they construct for you.)

This is how you tackle mental health issues for your employees. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

138 days ago, on March 2, I embarked on a journey into the unknown and started my own software company. The lessons I've learned were not the ones I anticipated, but I am grateful for them nonetheless. Here are 5 things I've learned: 1. Just because you have a pleasant conversation with someone doesn't mean they will call you back. 2. Never underestimate the power of past interactions. Trust is built over time, and if you have built good relationships, people want you to succeed. 3. Be wary of resumes with multiple short-term employments. These candidates may lack the resilience needed for the challenges of a small company. 4. Quickly identify individuals who are creators. Working with creators is the most rewarding because they challenge you to be better. 5. Speak with confidence in your ideas as if you are 100% right and listen to others as if you are 100% wrong. If you are thinking about going on your own or evaluating a new vendor, job opportunity, or role, learn to decipher what is authentic and what is theatre. We all know that our parents' camera rolls are full of pictures of Christmas, birthdays, and vacations, with very few of everyday life. Seek out opportunities where you can see the everyday life. Companies that give you that look are far more authentic than those that over-promote special events. If there is anything I can do to support you, please get in touch. Life can be a harsh teacher, but once you learn those lessons, be generous with your experiences.

Ding! 🔔 We know notifications can be overwhelming… Thanks, Postmates; takeout does sound pretty good tonight… While notifications for work might not sound like the most fun thing in the world, we’ve seen how powerful they can be. When you create timely alerts for crucial steps in your ad trafficking workflow, you can keep everyone in the loop. Your team will know precisely when and how to proceed so you can eliminate gaps and reduce make-goods. Find out more here: https://hubs.li/Q02fJQjV0