For the last four months, my week-days have started in a unique way: I grab my mug of aromatic Columbian coffee, head to my cozy office, and nestle into a telephone headset. Instantly, I’m connected with my partners in creativity. We share our daily action plans for our creative work, celebrate what we completed the day before and strategize ways to work with obstacles. The whole process takes 15 to 30 minutes!
My first creativity buddy was Sandy—an advertising account manager in Iowa. We were paired as part of an intensive coaching program run by Carmen Bolanos (see www.unlimitedgrowthpotential.com) that required us to meet 15 minutes each morning. Sandy’s unfailingly positive attitude, deep listening and keen insight contributed to what was one of the most productive creative periods of my life!!
My newest creativity buddies are Michelle and Christine, team members from The Product Factory (see www.90dayproduct.com), who live in Connecticut and Pennsylvania. Outside of the class structure, several of us decided to meet daily to increase our motivation and accountability. That phone call, which averages about 20 minutes, helps me find focus, clarity and enthusiasm for my writing and product development.
My Mom knew about creative partnering. She and her neighbor, Helen, met every single morning at alternating kitchen tables to share coffee. Thinking back, I realize their “coffee klatching” was more than social. I remember distinctly that they talked about what they were going to get done that day, what had taken place the day before AND traded all kinds of ideas and encouragement for coping with the eight kids, two husbands, two dogs and the busy lives they shared between them. When we lost the cozy connectedness of neighborhoods, we may have also lost an important creativity tool!
I’ve even begun offering 15-minute check-ins to clients who can benefit from daily support and coaching during intense periods of creative output. I call this my “Sacred Mountain” plan! It works.
Try it! Maybe you know a friend or colleague who would be willing to experiment with the idea. I think it works best if you meet daily at the same time and make an attempt to stick to a time-frame you choose. You may be surprised at how much you can accomplish in 15 minutes. Happy Klatching!
Posted by Linda Sandel Pettit on 06/03 at 05:59 PM in |
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