Get Unblocked - 33rd Degree Conference
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Transcript of Get Unblocked - 33rd Degree Conference
@denisejacobs
@33rdDegreeConf #33rdDegree
#getunblocked
Blocked?
“The entire industry is broken.” - Ted Neward, Managers are from Mars, Developers are from Venus
Managers
Office-bound
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stewf/393637161/
Time pressures
http://www.flickr.com/photos/indraw/4857101224/
Demanding clients
http://www.flickr.com/photos/clairity/154640125/
Bureaucracy
http://www.flickr.com/photos/opensourceway/4749431435/
Oppressed
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johannahobbs/2412291551/
Instead of this http://www.flickr.com/photos/anieto2k/8156999698/
You run into road blocks
http://www.flickr.com/photos/99301367@N00/8497106802/
And you run completely
http://royhoes.deviantart.com/art/Out-of-Inspiration-85588391
http://www.flickr.com/photos/myfear/289257055/
When in the creative flow
We are alchemists http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Faust_image_19thcentury.jpg
It feels like
http://www.flickr.com/photos/torley/2761300969/
“Creativity is magical, but it is not magic.” - Dr. Charles Limb, Your Brain on Improvisation TED talk
We’re powerful creators
“Developers are like the Jedi: we’re all tapped into The Force.” - Ted Neward, Managers are from Mars, Developers are from Venus
Instead of using it fully http://www.flickr.com/photos/h-k-d/3310336516/
We give our power away
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6D-O5ECr5EUow5jrck2A2A
Instead of power, we feel…
https://www.flickr.com/photos/70938871@N05/8230432077
Building Blocks
http://www.flickr.com/photos/barretthall/3036598475/ &http://www.flickr.com/photos/carbonnyc/3135103537/
It starts early
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lorenjavier/7324305636/
Three stories
Age 6
Father
Photo: Deloria Jacobs
Photos: Deloria Jacobs
Mother & Sister
Me? More of a graphic artist
Photo: Deloria Jacobs
Compared myself http://www.flickr.com/photos/kharied/3315558702/
( I have to be like them to be creative. )
Age 10
Photo: Deloria Jacobs
Oldest friend in the world
( “Who do you think you are?” )
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mcsdwarken/7490078656
“I should tone it down”
Age 24
I graduated! Yay!
Photo: Deloria Jacobs
Maybe be a writer?
“Do you know how hard it is to get published?” - My father
My father was bad-ass
Photo: Deloria Jacobs
“I have to be superlative”
I binge-created for years
But never felt deserving
Always a bit in the closet
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenzzz_14/7031233649/
After writing this…
I had an epiphany
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44085287@N05/4055814772/
We ALL hold the power
http://www.flickr.com/photos/assbach/267598910/
For Empowered http://www.flickr.com/photos/designandtechnologydepartment/4771136128/
Internalized critical voices
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeapalooza/553545517/
Paralyze and imprison us http://www.flickr.com/photos/b3ni/2990601183/
We give so much away
= Blocks
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_g_travels/860951845/
Lies that we tell ourselves
Adds up; Shuts us down
Instead of creativity
Destructivity
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevygee/3265941065/
How do we…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/opensourceway/5445602998/
Get Unblocked?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rvm_71/5011353192/
“You can’t force yourself to get into (creative) flow, but you can set the conditions for it.” - Ted Neward, “Managers are from Mars, Developers are from Venus”
The Process
Recognize & Banish
Physical evidence of fear
http://www.flickr.com/photos/grumpyfeline/4626401443/
Internalized criticisms + fears
https://www.flickr.com/photos/remoto/5313967682
Evil voices in your head
http://www.flickr.com/photos/epsos/4887528060/
“If your demons are such that they fill the room the instant you contemplate creating, your studio will be too dangerous a place to enter.” - Eric Maisel, author of Fearless Creating
You can’t outrun them
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wester/504925076/
Face and ID your Inner Critic http://www.flickr.com/photos/lambdachialpha/203904103/
Impostor Syndrome
Impostor Syndrome Paradox
http://www.flickr.com/photos/x1brett/2279939232/
Comparisons
http://www.flickr.com/photos/automania/126698126/
Perfectionism
http://www.flickr.com/photos/diepuppenstubensammlerin/7648792510/
“Perfectionism is self-abuse of the highest order.” ― Anne Wilson Schaef
Focus on the finished product… https://www.flickr.com/photos/phatcontroller/3667889959/
Instead of the process http://www.flickr.com/photos/spyndle/474122586/
The real problem http://cuttingthecheese.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/26810560251953842_ede18tng_f.jpg
“The Best” vs “The most”
https://www.flickr.com/photos/villify/10871945326
Procrastination
http://www.flickr.com/photos/irrezolut/2311904560/
Feed each other
Fear of failure
http://www.flickr.com/photos/laughingsquid/2717325940/
F.E.A.R. =
http://cdnpix.com/show/imgs/7a361666e107cd36656d5a66ea2e4e80.jpg
Or, the alternative
“Fear is not real. It is a product of the thoughts you create. Do not misunderstand me. Danger is very real. But fear is a choice.” - character of Cypher Raige (played by Will Smith), After Earth
Become a Fear Alchemist
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Joseph_Wright_of_Derby_The_Alchemist.jpg
“The goal is to manage anxiety so that our energies are used for the productive and satisfying art of creating…
…rather than the destructive and debilitating art of self-torture.” - Clare Warmke, Idea Revolution
Banish the Inner Critic
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythoto/3822942678/
Comparisons aren’t real
http://www.flickr.com/photos/suvodeb/2559017400/
“You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody.”
― Dr. Maya Angelou
Reframe failure
http://www.flickr.com/photos/laughingsquid/2717326642/
And mistakes
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stevendepolo/4498817330/
“Failure is only the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.” - Henry Ford
Be bad/make it ugly https://www.flickr.com/photos/kpwerker/6051104684
“If you want a creative life, do what you can’t and experience the beauty of the mistakes that you make.” - Marcel Wanders, Designer and “Professional Amateur” (marcelwanders.com)
Take it a step further
Photo: Denise Jacobs
Change your body, change your mind http://www.flickr.com/photos/thirteenthnile/4546397775/
“Our bodies change our minds, our minds change our behavior, and our behavior changes our outcomes.” - Amy Cuddy, Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are TED talk
Cop a Power Pose
Adjust & Replace
“It’s all preparation. The magic happens at the stove.” - Daniel Steinberg, Crazy and Focused
Laying the foundation Photo: Denise Jacobs
Train Your Brain
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tiarescott/3211540197/
Left v. Right brain?
http://browse.deviantart.com/?q=left%20brain%20right%20brain&order=9&offset=48#/d10qlpq
Left hemisphere
http://www.flickr.com/photos/smittenkittenoriginals/4451172538/
Right hemisphere
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lorelei-ranveig/2294885580/
A balanced brain
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47691521@N07/4639590640/
Our brains produce…?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cblue98/7254347346/
Know your Brainwaves
Get your Alpha on
5 Easy ways access to Alpha
http://uniteunderfreedom.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Brain-waves.jpg
(1) Breathe to refocus
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eldave/3065425105/
(2) Lay down; be prone
http://www.flickr.com/photos/snazzy54/4581347651/
(3) Daydream/Space out
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fuzzylittlemanpeach/4633972431/
(4) Takes a shower
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevendepolo/3761878381/
(5) Get physical
http://www.flickr.com/photos/miguel77/2728104156/
“When your brain is supposedly doing nothing, it’s really doing a tremendous amount.” – Marcus Raichle, Neurologist
Manage time
http://www.flickr.com/photos/paolocampioni/2168286027/
To DON’T
https://www.flickr.com/photos/superamit/1043379069
Say NO to Distractions
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gideon/6582069/
Instill the Headphones Rule https://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/9824922293
RescueTime.com
HeyFocus.com
Added bonus
Tools RescueTime.com GetConcentrating.com HeyFocus.com
Browser Extensions Firefox: LeechBlock Idderall Google Chrome: Strict Workflow StayFocusd
Aids for digital blocking
Single-task
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33498942@N04/6009639079/
Pomodoro Technique
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucamascaro/4975166968/
Airplane mode
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pieterouwerkerk/699475144/
Connect & Play
Do It With Others
http://www.flickr.com/photos/u-suke/5668302030/
Mo’ people, mo’ ideas
http://www.flickr.com/photos/seretuaccidente/147686396/
Avoid sameness
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dahlstroms/3774973833/
Diverse environments
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shirinwiniger/3680885289/
Share ideas
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nanpalmero/4278466639/
Don’t keep them to yourself
http://www.flickr.com/photos/anieto2k/8127201319/
Share mistakes
http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilt/26322670/
Amplify the ideas of others
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roland/54381130/
Improv
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roel1943/5740295789/
Plus it
http://www.flickr.com/photos/66568868@N00/6032481145/
The structure
Make your partner look good
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31246066@N04/4597640798/
Expands, does not contract
http://www.flickr.com/photos/opensourceway/5752191246/
Power-Push Writing
Photo: Anna B. Scott
Free & Clear
Before
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_g_travels/860951845/
After
http://www.flickr.com/photos/visualdoubts/4087935894/
The stage is set for Flow
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sgeithner/5290115839/
Find
• Clarity about & confidence in you want to achieve
• Level of mastery • Cleared space; materials on hand • Time carved out; distractions
eliminated • Practice in place
The previous steps lead you here:
(Re)Gain Creative Confidence
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44085287@N05/4055807492/
“…the confidence that, when given a difficult problem, we have a methodology that enables us to come up with a solution that nobody has before.” - David Kelley, Founder of Ideo
Ideas are on and poppin’!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7730492@N03/4957946157/
A transformation happens
http://www.flickr.com/photos/opensourceway/5392982007/
Reclaim our power
http://www.flickr.com/photos/anieto2k/8216666102/
By realizing
Nudge your comfort zone
“Creative minds have always been known to survive any kind of bad training.” - Anna Freud
Value yourself and process
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pocait/2847866615/
Moving forward
http://www.flickr.com/photos/opensourceway/6005503875/
“Creativity makes day to day experiences more vivid, more enjoyable, more rewarding. When we live creatively, boredom is banished and every moment holds the promise of a fresh discovery.” - Mihali Csikszentmihalyi, Creativity
It’s how & why I do what I do
Photo: Derek Kearney
“The new scarcity: the time, energy, and brainpower of bright, creative people.” - Mary Poppendieck, “Think For Yourself”
You’re a precious resource
http://www.flickr.com/photos/siutou_amy/2306794554/
In order for you to create
Need to Get Unblocked
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bcymet/3564484236/
You are my starfish
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bestrated1/3323936783
Make better things AND
http://www.flickr.com/photos/opensourceway/5319988695/
I hope that you
http://www.flickr.com/photos/boojee/2781415869/
The End…?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/imuttoo/232100469/
Thank you
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wwworks/4759535970/
Four Secrets to Enhancing Creative Productivity www.creativebloq.com/inspiration/four-secrets-enhancing-creative-productivity-9126098
Banishing Your Inner Critic alistapart.com/articles/banishing-your-inner-critic/
Reigniting Your Creative Spark alistapart.com/articles/reigniting-your-creative-spark/
Breaking the Perfectionism-Procrastination Infinite Loop webstandardssherpa.com/reviews/breaking-the-perfectionism-procrastination-infinite-loop/
My articles for further reading
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Photo used with permission: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aarronwalter/4629078087/