10 things Idea Creators can be thankful for

1. Aggregators.  Impossible to overexpress my appreciation for people who collect and then redistribute wonderful things.  Like Dave Pell and Maria Popova.   The former collects 10 stories a day and wraps them in his own twisted brand of biting humor.  The latter collects gobs and gobs and gobs of items every day, each one unique and interesting.  Both of them find stuff that save massive amounts of time and provide massive amounts of inspiration.

2. Originators.  People who are out there doing their own thing, which then becomes our thing.  Amy Krouse Rosenthal has been bringing loveliness to us for years.  Unique voices like hers are not easy to find so when you do, do whatever the legal and friendly version of stalking is.

3. Storytellers.  Find them wherever you can.  TED Talks is the obvious go-to; they can be hit or miss, but some of them are incredibly inspiring.  The most amazing talks are usually the most amazing stories.  Case in point:  Bill Strickland.  An unassuming speaker, a ridiculously riveting storyteller.  “There’s nothing wrong with poor people that sunlight, affection and dignity can’t cure.”

4. Collaborators.  Conferences like Chicago Ideas Week and techweek.  Weeklong petri dishes for connection and creativity.  It’s worth the price of admission to be surrounded by smart, creative people. Stock up on keychains and t-shirts but make sure you take part in the speeches, panels and exhibitors. Same's true of creative work spaces/incubators like 1871.  A staggering amount of invaluable fodder at your fingertips.  

5. Good Health.  Waking up every day and having the physical and mental ability to be in the idea business is never to be underestimated.

6. Independent coffee houses like Filter, Swim and Star Lounge in Chicago.  Infinite thanks for allowing us to do business without an office. For others, rent can be late.  For us, rent can be a latte (and a sandwich if you’re there during lunch).   When you’re surrounded by the energy of like-minded creative thinkers, you’re in business.  BTW, please tip heavily.

7. (Saving the best for last) Clients.  I’ve never had a client I didn‘t love.  They all have their quirks and some are more challenging than others, but without them, our ideas would go nowhere.  Be open and honest and Get Naked, and accept every one with a smile of appreciation and when necessary, a grain of salt. And when things get tough, here’s a thought:  turn your most challenging clients into ones that inspire you the most.  Aim to be over-and-above creative for them and solve their problems in ways they would never see. It could be the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

8, 9, 10.  Red wine, great cheese, and crusty bread.  For all the obvious reasons.

How a community can make you smile broadly, get tingly, maybe even shed a tear

I moderated a panel at techweek on Friday.  We had some great insights from our panelists and terrific audience Q&A.   Some great stories about the power of people to connect with each other and become massive and powerful forces for good and commerce. 

Then I heard something on the radio yesterday morning that put a massive exclamation point on it.

Bob Edwards interviewed Eric Whitacre, a musician, composer and conducter, who has written music for, and virtually led—that is, online—a choir of over 2000 people.

If you love music, watch and listen.  It’s one of those tears-of-happiness things.

The story of how the virtual choir gained momentum is wonderful inspiration for anyone with an idea waiting to explode.  The endeavor is impressive and the music is beautiful. 

But what’s most impactful is hearing how the community that formed itself through Mr. Whitacre’s virtual choir has come together.  Not just to sing together, but to support each other.  They’ve formed a community that communicates virtually; they even experienced the first death last year of one of the community members.

In Whitacre’s words, it’s their shared intent that ties them together and “takes them to a transcendent place.  It’s not just a virtual choir anymore, it’s a virtual choir army.”

It proves the simple  and lovely fact that humans will go to any lengths necessary to connect and communicate with each other and once they do, the communities they form are incredibly powerful. 

How they form isn’t hugely different from how great ideas often come to life:  a combination of pluck, luck, skill, and timing.  And shared intent.

The guiding force of a strong community is a common passion, and humans with a strong shared intent can’t be held back. 

Reverse Inspiration

I have seen the faces of reverse mentoring. They are different colors and shapes and sizes and they are all awesome.

I love them in all of their happily determined, purposeful, “Why not?” caution-to-the-wind-ness.

They are out to do things that generations ago would’ve taken meetings and rallies and marches. Now it takes an idea and passion (and lots of friends and followers).

And the coolest thing of all is, they’re doing it because of something they feel deep inside. Not because IPO’s or WSJ hedcut portraits are beckoning. They have deep conviction that what they’re doing is right, and that alone could explain their success. Their incredibly hard work and perseverance doesn’t hurt.

My reverse mentors are born entrepreneurs. They act first and think later, then act again then think some more. Then they do, do, and do some more.

They do a lot of doing.

And the stuff they do is amazing.

Someday soon, when I get younger, I’m going to be like them.