Are You an Original?

Some things in life are originals and can't be reproduced, like a rainbow that can only be seen for a short time under special conditions and from the correct viewing angle. Few of us are originals on a continuous basis. Most of our time is spent reacting to news and the actions of others. We spend another portion of our time studying and reproducing the traditions handed down to us by our predecessors. However, once in a while we manage to show our initiative and tackle something that no one has done before or create a product, piece of art, or literary work that is different and new. A long time ago, someone said that we are each a unique, unrepeatable, miracle of God. As such, we each have an unmatchable set of talents and experiences. Bring your uniqueness to your job or other challenge. Remove yourself from thoughts of your daily duties, and meditate on what uniqueness you have to offer those around you. Being yourself is more than not copying others. Express your own opinions based on the singular path you have taken through life, and create something that requires your own special blend of where you've been, what you've done, and who you are. The world is a different place because you've lived in it. Express that uniqueness to others. 

The Secret of a Great Life

Many people have said that the secret of a great life can be found in the Bible. This turns away many folks who may not be religious and who under no conditions would consider becoming a Bible scholar. I'm going to make it easy for all of you. I say that the secret of a great life may be found in the first five words of the Bible! Do you think you can handle that much studying? The first five words are: In the beginning God created... The secret of a worthwhile life is to be like God and create. You may create anything that is in your sphere of interest, but to emulate God, your creation must be constructive rather than destructive. Further, this should not be a one-time thing! You have to try to be creative in every situation throughout your whole life. The one-great-joke-comedian doesn't make it. Neither does the inventor who had one great idea at age twenty, and then spends the rest of his life bragging about that invention, even when it becomes decades-old technology. Every day can contain at least a little creativity: a new recipe variation, whistling a made-up tune, a prayer aimed at a stranger, a neater arrangement for your room, a kind word for someone who feels depressed, a puzzle solved, a few sentences or paragraphs toward a new story or book. Center your thinking on creativity, and you will soon add some zing to your daily routines. It's not variety, but rather creativity that is the spice of life.

Ready, Set, Upset!

Whenever things are getting to be too boring or routine for you, it's time to shake things up. If your business is lagging, do something differently. If your employees aren't enthusiastic about their working conditions, do something radically different. If you don't receive as much non-spam e-mail as you would like, start writing to contacts. Almost any innovation has its greatest impact during the period immediately following its implementation. As time passes, its effectiveness falls off, usually exponentially (which is a pretty drastic falloff). The way to keep interested in what you are doing and to make it the most effective, is to periodically introduce something new. Each new thing, process, or innovation will cause a spike of interest and/or business which will be followed by the usual drop-off. You create excitement when you keep those innovation spikes coming. Brainstorm with yourself or a few friends, and you'll come up with changes that are easy and a lot more fun that doing things the same way forever.