Comments on: Training yourself to be more inspired

By: Jay

Jay — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 09:14:52 +0000

WHOOPS! I did it again–I mean Caitlin!

By: Jay

Jay — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 09:13:56 +0000

WHOOPS! Hit tab, ’stead of Caps Unlock–but at my worst, I watch too much TV, and can’t get out of the house, simply ’cause there’s too much to do in it.

Anyway, points well taken, Bec.

Thanks!

By: Jay

Jay — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 09:11:47 +0000

Great! I had a particularly tough week this week; barometer was down most of it, and I know that affects me.

And last week there was the discussion about “who inspires you?”

Got a direct tweet from Pen after mentioning that at my best, I INSPIRE ME

By: Andrew Stuhl

Andrew Stuhl — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:25:26 +0000

Hey Caitlin-

Nice post. I love the ideas about tracking your ideas–and why it is important.

I’ve been reading Chuck Klosterman’s _Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs_ at night recently and he has some interesting things to say about people who describe themselves as “creative.” He says that these kinds of people (me included) are not truly creative–instead, they only know what other people think “creativity” should be and thus are producing ideas or objects or whatever to fit a certain mold of thought–and this, he says, cannot be creativity, because creativity is all about breaking new ground, not retreading over well-worn paths.

This is food for thought for all of us creative types–are we trying to be what society has accepted as “creative” or are we trying to be creative to the core of its meaning.

You don’t have to respond–this is somewhat off of your topic–but it was on my mind when I read your post.

Andrew

By: Natalie

Natalie — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:21:09 +0000

I use my iphone as a notebook, but carry a pink “regular” notebook too, just in case.

I think this is why I love sailing – no TV, no distractions and it is ultimately about slowing down.

By: Matt Cheuvront

Matt Cheuvront — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:32:33 +0000

Great stuff here Caitlin. I am the king of random inspiration (a recent post I wrote was brought upon my a post-it note sitting on the floor of Starbucks that said nothing but “Product Differentiation Strategy”. It really can come from anywhere and you have to be ready for it when it strikes.

The bit about listening to music instead of watching TV is spot on. Not only listening to music, but allowing yourself to be consumed by it. Go into a room with no other distractions – get off Twitter, don’t check emails, and listen to an album from beginning to end – have a pen and paper in hand, and scribble down thoughts. Music has the incredible ability to inspire.

(Some good mostly-instrumental stuff I recently discovered: http://www.emancipatormusic.com/)

Cheers!
@mattChevy

By: Cassie Holman

Cassie Holman — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:54:31 +0000

This post left me feeling refreshed I love your carefree writing style and creative approach to every topic you address. Thanks for writing this, Caitlin!

By: Caitlin McCabe

Caitlin McCabe — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:32:11 +0000

Jon – I use my phone all the time as a notebook too… I tried the voice thing but I felt like the “note to self” business people and it just felt too geeky

By: Jon Bishop

Jon Bishop — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:29:34 +0000

Great stuff Caitlin.

I like listening to light and happy folk/alternative while I’m working. It turns into play time as I mess with code and bounce between thoughts.

I really need to get on the notebook thing tho. People have been telling me to do this for years and I’ve never really fully accepted it. At one point I had a phone that let me record speech but it was a pain to go back and find stuff quickly.

I should just start using my new phone as a notepad and save stuff there. I’ve got no excuses now.