Comments on: You’re Brilliant!

By: Yst

Yst — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 22:05:01 +0000

I remember reading somewhere that the world isn’t so much missing either ambition or brilliance. The “problem” with most people is that they are lazy and don’t want to put in the effort to do things and that’s why they fall short.
I find creativity comes when you work hard. I mean really, I’m not a fan of all the excuses that people make up to avoid work.
Although occasionally I like to sit in my basement and brainstorm with myself (am I being a hypocrite )
.-= Yst´s last blog ..Are You Sales Or Marketing Oriented? =-.

By: Farouk

Farouk — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:02:54 +0000

thanks for the inspiring article, very nice way of thinking

By: Sean

Sean — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 06:51:21 +0000

This is so true, this is what drives me to be a freelance web developer. .-= Sean´s last blog ..For the Jets, There’s Always Next Year =-.

By: Chris Edgar

Chris Edgar — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 04:58:16 +0000

Hi Tom — thanks for this — this is a good reminder that I want to put into action an idea I’ve been brushing off for a while. It doesn’t really have to do with my existing work — it’s about making some very silly videos — but for whatever reason I’m excited about it. It’s time to go with the impulse.

By: Tom Volkar

Tom Volkar — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:37:29 +0000

Evan – I love your point about playing when stuck. That’s excellent advice. I’ve gotten unstuck simply by going outside and bouncing a ball against a wall. Often to get unstuck we need to vary our activities. You’re right it probably is phrasing. Language is such a powerful adjustment to create what we want. When I said generate feelings of authentic aliveness I meant using things like song and EFT to re-connect with those already existing feelings that may have been dulled by distraction or fear.

Keena – Well said. The best ideas often come back around until we act on them. That’s the essence of true calling recognition. Most folks have tried to ignore their calling more than invite it. I see absolutely no reason why anyone ought to create a product that is not a vital part of their true calling. That way the inspiration is built-in and naturally sustainable.

By: Tom Volkar

Tom Volkar — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:30:55 +0000

Andrea – You are indeed brilliant! I’m more than happy to provide further confirmation of that fact. I get what you say about discipline. But I would prefer to replace that word with completion. Yes of course we must implement ideas or they never get completed. But must we actually discipline ourselves to follow-through when we could re-kindle that initial inspiration and use that instead? That’s what I’m playing with right now and it’s working!

Zoy – Welcome. Why not feel brilliant all the time? If you’re not feeling brilliant what are you feeling and why would you want to feel anything less?

James – Welcome. I agree. I’m a big believer in working from our strengths and delegating the remainder. But some thing s like product creation we must be the one doing the work. That work is infinitely easier when we are enthused and inspired.

By: Keena

Keena — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:25:46 +0000

Hi Tom,

I am intrigued by your newfound creative process! Can’t wait to hear about it.

Creative ideas are a dime a dozen. The biggest thing about the follow-through for the creative project for me is the power of the original idea. If the original idea is bold, or excites me to a very deep level, then it is easy to complete the project. The trouble comes when I have lots of little creative ideas, and while they might be fun or useful or whatever – they just don’t stir my soul. For me, it’s gotta have that last bit! So, I have to pick my creative projects by the level of inspiration.

And we have to keep in mind that sometimes we need to let things simmer on the back-burner for a bit. Sometimes you have a great idea, but it’s still a bit nebulous and needs some time to mature. I think it’s important not to judge the creative merit of an idea by how fast we act on it. Inspiration often involves passion and a flurry of activity – but sometimes it doesn’t

Blessings,
Keena
.-= Keena´s last blog ..Believe it or not! =-.

By: Evan

Evan — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:15:43 +0000

I think creativity (that is productive) is a combination of work and play – the work can be pleasurable too but it is more focused.

When stuck it is often useful for me to go back to playing with the ‘stuff’ I am dealing with, paint, clay, words, concepts . . . whatever is the medium being used.

One quibble (maybe just with your phrasing). I’m wary of ‘generate good feelings’: if they aren’t there and need to be generated this for me would be a warning sign. For me authentic aliveness feels good – deeply nourishing, more than a momentary high.

Support is very helpful to me in my experience.

Thanks for the post.
.-= Evan´s last blog ..Responding to Suffering =-.

By: James Todd

James Todd — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:36:01 +0000

Great point!…be yourself and be proud! So many people focus on everything they are doing wrong instead of what they are doing right!

Figure out what you’re good at and what you’re not and then design your work to work hard at what you’re good at and outsource the rest.

James Todd
Publisher: BuildMySiteforFree.com

By: zoy

zoy — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:46:48 +0000

Thanks Tom. Great post. We all need to feel brilliant at least sometimes. .-= zoy´s last blog ..Depression Hurts But You Have Power to Beat It =-.