LOVE. I cannot think of any ONE thing (for me) that fuels creativity, and moves it into a new direction, other than LOVE.

With love, paintings explode with color.

With love, our energy increases. With love, your vibrational frequency is higher, attracting new and exciting people, who are in sync with your vision.

With love, you want to sing. With love, you want to dance and and move, and to run, as we were born to do. With love, you “see” different images when behind the lens of a camera. With love, your brain begins to think new thoughts, to stretch out of its confines, and you dream new ideas.

With love, you believe that many more things than you thought yesterday, are possible. With love, you take chances, you take more risks.

With love, your comfort zone disappears, and that’s always a good thing. All of a sudden your life has changed and you’ve shifted directions. WOW. Creativity is fueled by LOVE. So here is my quote of the day (*I love writing them*) :

“If you are not feeling LOVE right now, no matter what is going on in your world, stretch yourself. It’s a big part of the creative process in being an artist, a creative. LOVE fuels great work. Passion fuels great works of art. Feeling LOVE always touches an audience, reaches the hearts of your viewers, your listeners.” ~Brenda Johima~

Resist it, or use it. Be afraid of it, or feel it as deeply as possible. It’s a choice. You want to be creative? You already are. You want to shift your creativity into a new direction? LOVE is waiting right there for you, to listen. It’s either whispering or yelling. Grasp hold, and hold on for dear life, and run with it for as long as you can. This is what we are here for. Yes, it’s that simple.

Brenda Johima

“If you are not feeling LOVE right now, no matter what is going on in your world, stretch yourself. It’s a big part of the creative process in being an artist, a creative. LOVE fuels great work. Passion fuels great works of art. Feeling LOVE always touches an audience, reaches the hearts of your viewers, your listeners.” ~ Brenda Johima ~

Creativity is all about Courage. The courage to stand alone, when nobody else is there.
~ Brenda Johima ~ 

And … right now, I am standing there all alone with a *NEW* Creativity FaceBook page. LOL : )

Are you looking for a public speaker on the topic of Creativity? How about the Creative Process? Or … Creativity for Business? I’m accepting bookings for 2012. I’m also booking half-day and full-day Creativity workshops right now. Please join me on  my new Creative Nudge FaceBook page. What do you do when you have ZERO followers on your new FaceBook page? Well, I’m about to find out right now. Stand alone, with your creativity and courage, and trust that others will follow in time. Let’s connect and create!

It’s an easy page to remember : http://facebook.com/CreativeNudge

~ Brenda Johima ~

Dear Apple,

Please invent an underwater iPhone so that we can boogie-board and surf while Tweeting in Tofino on Vancouver Island as well as at other totally cool places all around the world.

Oh yes, being a swimmer, can you please add lap counting to that order also, so that when I do my pool swim workout I can log my laps without thinking?

Oh yes, one more thing please, a 12MP underwater camera should do the trick. I think with your technology you can squeeze at least a 12MP into an underwater camera for us photographers who love the water?

Thank You so much,

~ Brenda Johima ~

With tough economic times, I think that the fear of competition in business gets even more intense, and business owners go to even greater depths to avoid it, keep an eye on it, and sadly, try to squash it by using unethical tactics like gossip and back-stabbing. (this is even more intense in small communities where people are dependent on local business, yet where there is a smaller local customer base)

So I thought I would post a few of my quotes and thoughts on creativity and competition in business. Maybe this will take the edge off a little? … Or at least be a reminder of what really is important.

I have run out of space on my Creativity Quotes page, so I’m writing this instead, as a new post. Maybe I will become the Creativity Quote Queen? I do seem to like writing them

I have been speaking and sharing and dreaming about collaboration vs. competition for so many, many years, and always felt alone in my quest to have this happen, especially in smaller communities where there can be more gossip (or at least it seems more intense) and I do believe that FINALLY, we are experiencing a SHIFT and people are beginning (ever so slowly) to understand the damage done by gossip in business (which is not all that different than the bullying that children might experience) and the value of collaboration and spreading word only via good gossip.

And if you really look at those who you view as your competition … I mean really look at them, their business, what they do, who they are … Let’s be honest … isn’t there something cool you can find about them to focus on? We are afterall, just humans, all here together, all trying to have a great, successful and happy life, doing what we love most.

I dare you to compliment your “**competition” on a success they have had. It feels good, plus removes stress (yours), shows courage and honesty on your part. If you are not ready to do it face to face or via telephone, then use Social Media. It’s a super great way to spread kindness and  build  community (especially in tough times when we all need it most) … So swallow your pride, and just do it! Give them a RT on Twitter or a Good For You! … or Congratulations! Trust Me, You Will Thank Me. (If in doubt, read anything by Dale Carnegie)

(** … and with this post, to those of you who are wondering, nope, I am not naive, there are some bad apples out there, and I am not speaking about that minority of business owners out there, who do not want to get this lesson, who refuse to embrace this as a possibility, and who never will … for those folks, I say run away far and high into the hills and never look back and for goodness sakes, don’t do business with toxic people)

All of these I have Tweeted and posted via Twitter previously, over the last year and a half or so, but here’s a re-cap of a few:

The more you fear competition, the more you will find.
~ Brenda Johima ~

You really don’t have any competition if you truly are being yourself.
~ Brenda Johima ~

Fear of Competition in your Business? Good News? There is None! Nobody is you, can do what you do, in just the way you do it.
~ Brenda Johima ~

In every industry, people train professionals/colleagues, who will one day, rise above them. Relax. You can’t control the Universe.
~ Brenda Johima ~

Do you collaborate or compete in your business?
~ Brenda Johima ~

Competition? What Competition? A focus on collaboration, caring 150% and helping removes it all.
~ Brenda Johima ~

Fear of Competition in your Business? Here’s the real news: You don’t get to choose. Your customers/clients choose who they hire, not you.
~ Brenda Johima ~

Fear of Competition in your Business? What can you do better without even thinking of your competitors? Focus on what you do better, and focus on doing THAT better.
~ Brenda Johima ~

Competition? What competition? Nobody told me I have competitors in business. How is that possible if I am my authentic self? It’s not.
~ Brenda Johima ~

Business is about life, it’s about people and relationships. If you forget that, you have no business and creativity goes down the tubes as well. As the saying goes “what goes around comes around” and even though we are all adults in business, gossip does hurt feelings for some sensitive folks (and yes, I just do happen to be one of those HSP) in business. And what’s the point of that? It is only a reflection of who you are, not them.

So please, let’s STOP the gossip, stop competing, and just BE WHO YOU ARE. That’s what we all really want from you. THAT is what will make me want to purchase your products and services. YOU! Your authentic self.

Think about it. As a consumer, when I view your products and services, in that very moment, I really don’t are about your competition, I am wondering what you can do for me, and WIFM? … the old “what’s in it for me?” Afterall, when I think of a purchase, I am on YOUR website, in front of YOU, on the phone with YOU, in YOUR store right now, not that of your competition. So sell me on YOUR creativity and what YOU are really good at. Remember? You went into business because you had a dream, a passion. Show THAT to me … and your competition has disappeared from my mind completely and Ka-Ching $$.

I hope this has been helpful, or at least interesting and thought provoking or emotion producing. As those things, all spark creativity, and that’s what I am here to do, to give you … the Creative NUDGE!

With much love and wishes for huge success,

~ Brenda Johima ~

** P.S. Oh, and BTW … Ooops, I almost forgot. Did You Know that I am Speaking at Social Media Camp? In just a few days, October 3rd, 2010. Come and join in and Say Hello!

Brenda Johima is Speaking at Social Media Camp!

I’m speaking at Social Media Camp in Victoria, B.C., on October 3rd. You’ll have to get up bright and early, as I’m one of the first on, right at 9 a.m. on Sunday morning.

My Topic? Small Towns, BIG Ideas.

It’s all very exciting. Do you live in a small community? Are you using social media to market your products and services? Do you want to learn how? Are you already marketing online but want to learn more? This is an event not to be missed! It looks to me like there is something for everyone.

Whether you live and work for a company in a large city centre, or are working as a solo entrepreneur from a rural home office, there is everything from big name speakers in social media like Scott Stratten of Un-Marketing, Julien Smith, author of Trust Agents, Megan Berry of Klout, Dave Olson of HooteSuite Media Inc., Justyn Howard of Sprout Social Inc., just to name a few … and loads more Take a look at the Speaker Lineup! …

And then of course me! … all the way from Ships Point (Fanny Bay) on Vancouver Island. How many people live in Fanny Bay? According to 2006 Census … 766 people.

My session will have a good mix of Vancouver Islanders as presenters … as the Comox Valley representation, I’ll also be sharing the hour and a panel Q&A with Don Power from Nanaimo and Janis Lacouvee from Victoria.

Organizers Paul Holmes of IdeaZone.ca and Chris Burdge of bWEST Interactive have done an amazing job of designing and implementing a SOLD OUT conference (that is, sold out, until they got permission to add some more seats so you can attend! after reaching the cap of 400 people in ticket sales, the did a little magic in order to add another 100 seats. so if you are reading this right now, you still may be able to get in)

If you have been having a long snooze, are in the arts, creativity and innovation, and if you haven’t noticed, creativity has gone online! Of course you know this, or you would not be reading this blog post. However, I am not sure that artists and those who create in traditional media realize yet, realize the full power of social media, and how in time (and I think it is already that time) will be crucial to your success as an artist.

No longer can we stay only with pen and paper  as a writer, or hide in our studio as an artist, with paintbrush and canvas. No longer can musicians only perform live. A HUGE part of marketing the arts now is online, and social media is the biggest, fastest, and most affordable way at this time, for you to spread the word about your creative adventure, and go viral.

So if you can get to Victoria on October 3rd, do it! It’s a really affordable conference for what I believe, will offer a huge return on your investment, not only by making more connections, but in learning from those who are at the leading edge in the world of social media, and best thing? It’s right here in Paradise, on Vancouver Island.

~ Brenda Johima ~

We are here to help others. Creativity is a gift I have been given. Actually, you all have it. I simply have chosen to take a life path which allows me to use my creative talents all day, every day. I must in order to be happy. It’s who I am.

And once you have lived life as a creative process, ever-unfolding, for so many years as I have done, I have come to realize, sadly, that just not everybody thinks like me. (*shocked. LOL) When I started my Creative NUDGE business and concept, ohh, so long go, I found it sad to hear people say “I’m not creative…I can’t sing…I can’t dance…Or you fill in the blanks. Everyone, without exception, is creative.

Now, more than ever before, creativity is crucial to success in the workplace, in looking for employment, and of course business, now more than ever before, rewards and works hard to recruit and retain, creative talent.

Years ago I got a call from a Visual Artist in Montreal who wanted Creativity Coaching. I sensed she was really just scoping me out, and my business, in order to do the same thing I was doing. I wanted to share, but of course, wanted to be paid for my time and talents like a good business owner must do. On that day, I did not help her.

And I will never forget her email response: “So just when did creativity become a business?” … basically she was pissed off, hurt, upset, as she had hoped I would share openly and freely of my creative talents, knowledge and wisdom that I had spent years developing, thousands of dollars in education to learn everything I had studied, and she wanted something on the phone for free? I blew it. Not a beating myself up type of “blew it” but today I can see, that I could have made a difference that day. Or did I blow it?

Every day in business I can make a difference. It is a matter of choice and attitude in every single moment.

Looking back now, of course I did not blow it. I did what I believed at that time, and I learned from that phone call, and I feel so strongly that right now, in business and in life, that we need creativity more than ever before. We need creative thinking, we need to live as if in the midst of a creative process. People are desperate for help right now, financial help, career help, help with saving their businesses. I can give  thing … my knowledge.

If you want a Creative Boost for your business, or if you are an artist-creative-type who is stuck, or you have a creative block. From Creativity Retreats, Creativity Workshops, Creativity Speaking Engagements and Creative Business Consulting I know that you can find and use the creative talent you have right under your nose in your huge corporation, or in your own home-based business. It’s there.

So please, call me, email me, look me up, I’m all over the internet online, and let’s connect, and you might just Get the Creative NUDGE!

- Brenda Johima -
YOUR Creativity Consultant

My blog flew the coop.

Actually, I opened the door and asked it to jump out the door and off the cliff.

Yes, I deleted my old website and blog. I chose to right now, manually input certain blog posts only, from the past. Most developers would say I am nuts.

However, I have done this for many reasons, and the purge feels fantastic! And, my childhood love of pink and purple websites, and the one I had for 8 years, has moved to a more minimalistic, black, white and gray, as you can see, and I am loving this new direction.

Short blurb for now, finish up later.

- Brenda -

As many of you know, I took the courageous step to delete many years of blog posts and my old website, which had been very highly ranked in multiple categories, for many, many years.

I have been experimenting with a new look, new colors, a new brand, and whether to go with a full WordPress CMS site, or what I had before, which was a static main site, with a blog attached.

Now that my research is complete (for now), I will be doing a review of all of the premium WordPress themes that I have purchased, tried, and evaluated.

I am pretty techie and creative, and, what I have learned through the premium WordPress theme maze, is that the developers are extremely good sales copy writers! Your average person, without the web design training that many of us have, might have difficulty implementing premium themes, as they promote them to be used.

The end result with premium WordPress themes can be fantastic and a time saver, however, in the development and customizing phase, it is not as easy as they make it out to sound.

So, bottom line, there are some fantastic (paid) WordPress themes and content management systems that I now believe in, and so look forward to my writings and recommendations shortly.

- Brenda Johima -

Gutsy. Courageous. Happy. Talented. Smart. Brilliant. Kind. Biomimic. Wanted. Loved. Attractive. Bend-Over-Backwards-Helpful. Courageous. Can Do It. Not The Norm. Business Not As Usual. Creative. Artistic. Dynamo-In-Waiting. Grateful. Intuitive. Deep Down Can’t Be Fooled. Deep Knowingness. Positively Positive.

What’s Your List?

- brenda johima -