Today, I am inspired by…
1. "Be Okay" video by Ingrid Michaelson (thanks to life coach Patty Jackson for sharing this!)
2. Donna Downey's fun arty projects of late (the colors, the textures, the flowers — swoon!!) and, most especially, her Campaign for Creativity. I love what she says about the campaign:
i 100% believe that inspiration and possibility are everywhere...
inspiration can be found in everything we do, share and see.
the possibility is our part in manifesting it into tangible art.
all we need to do is open our hearts and eyes and listen to our creative voice.
(And I say, Amen, sister. Sign me up.)
3. Brainstorming possibilities for the Gifts from the Heart gift-making playshop that Tracy and I decided to offer at the Joyful Living Center in Pewaukee, WI, on December 6. (Angel doorhangers, gratitude boxes, funky gift tags and more.)
4. My husband sharing concepts from Seth Godin's Small is the New Big book. (Yes, it's two years old, but there's some great gems in there. One that my husband (wisely) read out loud to me: "There is no correlation between success and hours worked" (page 188).
5. The newest issue of Cloth Paper Scissors (love those snowpeople on the cover) and their free e-letter with fun projects (today included a zany pumpkin with blue hair).
6. My seven-year-old daughter moving beyond the frustration and knitting a cape for her little doll all by herself.
7. Exploring the Mindsets website (from author and psychologist Carol Dweck). I'm loving the book (highly recommended!!) and am loving exploring the website. (We are exploring these concepts in the Future Thinking program I participate in.) A summary of the book from the website:
Mindset explains:
- Why brains and talent don’t bring success
- How they can stand in the way of it
- Why praising brains and talent doesn’t foster self-esteem and accomplishment, but jeopardizes them
- How teaching a simple idea about the brain raises grades and productivity
- What all great CEOs, parents, teachers, athletes know
Mindset is a simple idea discovered by world-renowned Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck in decades of research on achievement and success—a simple idea that makes all the difference.
In a fixed mindset, people believe their basic qualities, like their intelligence or talent, are simply fixed traits. They spend their time documenting their intelligence or talent instead of developing them. They also believe that talent alone creates success—without effort. They’re wrong.
In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment. Virtually all great people have had these qualities.
Teaching a growth mindset creates motivation and productivity in the worlds of business, education, and sports. It enhances relationships. When you read Mindset, you’ll see how.