I think I’ll share this article...

Yeah, I will.

First of all, it’s about something that I do regularly, a lot, which is talk to myself.

Secondly, I think it might help validate people who do this kind of thing too. You know, you’re normal after all!

And thirdly, it’s a truly practical tool, to talk to yourself to help you problem solve and coach yourself through processes or decisions.

So there - that’s 3 reasons why I think I’ll share it. Yep, it’s a win-win win, yes, that’s my kind of measuring stick of whether I’ll share something or not.

Hmmm talking out loud to myself, oh look, I’m doing it now 😂😂

It reminds me of how when I was visiting mum the other day, and we were out in her garden. She was giving some of her plants a bit of a motivational talk about how they were growing … or not. But maybe she was really talking to herself! Anyway then she started singing the lyrics from ‘Paint Your Wagon’ that’s 1960s song, “I talk to the trees, but they’re not listening to me“. 😂😂

We had a laugh about that one! Classic memory making right there.

Anyway, I’ll write this article up and then post it. Boom. Done.

Here's the article on talking to yourself. 

But don’t give up yet …

There is so much that you’ve done and learned and experienced, tried and gained.

So don’t give up yet.

You’ve put things into practice and run some experiments and tested some ideas out.

Don’t give up yet.

Sometimes when tough times are presenting themselves, our clever genius does the amazing and presents us back with something in return.

These might be ideas, hunches, this + this, or a wild thought about ‘if only’ or ‘what would be nice is …’

Many of us are getting great ideas presented by our clever brains right now, but we may not be noticing them.

We’re always being presented with clever ideas, suggestions and inner genius, but we’re usually worrying too hard and too loud to notice.

The volume of my ideas has come back today after being on both extra loud 😱 AND super silent 🤫 in recent times.

And that’s the flow of things. Loud. Quiet. Silent. Soft. Shrieking. Super clever ideas. Loud. Quiet. And on it goes …

Don’t give up on anything.

We’re clever humans who have an inordinate range of creative thought waiting to be put towards a purpose, goal, idea, interest or … rest.

Let your inner clever speak up to yourself.

And tune in to some of the random, way out, safe, simple steps it’s suggesting to you.

Open up that journal or notes app. Give them somewhere to land.

Our brains love an opportunity to come up with a bunch of ideas for what to do next.

Let them lose. Don’t hold them in there. Let ‘em out.

New productivity apps

Check through the apps in this Fast Company article to see if they’re the kind of thing you use, and how they might save you some time, effort, energy and attention. 

They’re not just about calendars or to do lists. 

They include mail, reading articles, background noise, reminders to move your body, notepads, photo editors… and plenty more. 

Might be worth bookmarking to read through, follow the links and check each one for suitability and relevance. 

Why every leader should take an improv class

Have you? If that’s a no, put it on your development list, right near the top. 

And if you have, you know what I’m talking about. 

In this crazy world of change, no one teaches better, trains better or helps us deal like an improv class. 

The performers who make stuff up on TV and theatres the world over, moved things online during the pandemic, and they adapted nicely! 

Here are five reasons why taking improv has got to be on your list for either an in-person class or an online one. Or a bit of both! 

1. You’re constantly thinking on your feet 
2. Communication is essential 
3. Your nerves get tested
4. You fail a lot (I think this one, this one is what makes us more willing to experiment, try and have a go)
5. Growth becomes a mindset. 

Read more in this article in Inc. Magazine by Jason Hennessey 

And then sign up at your local improv troupe, group or club. 

In Melbourne, that’s the wonderful Impro Melbourne and a big shout out to the wonderful people, teachers, performers and players like
Jason Geary
Patti Stiles 
Lliam Amor
Rik Brown 
Katherine Weaver 
Jenny Lovell 

In Perth, check out Glenn Hall !

Improv is where the great lessons, techniques and mantras like ‘yes and’ come from! 

There’s plenty more to be had. As soon as you can, do it. Ready?

Fed up with the push for productivity

The drive to ‘do more’ or to ‘make the most of our time’ was wearing a bit thin pre-pandemic. 

We’d reached a kind of ‘productivity fatigue’. 

James Clear, quoted in a Fast Company article by Aytekin Tank says that “Productivity is getting important things done consistently. And no matter what you are working on, there are only a few things that are truly important.”

We are more interested in - and it turns out, motivated by - progress... and so making ‘meaningful progress’ is what matters. 

When we do that, we’re more likely to be ‘productively creative’ in the long run. 

Sounds like the ideal result. 

Worry less about whether you’re being super productive. 

Focus more on whether you’re making progress on the things that are meaningful to you.