It's a Wonderful Life

These days I'm in rehearsals for a musical version of "It's a Wonderful Life".

The story of George Bailey touches many people and has a great deal to say for those interested in personal improvement and development, and for those who wish to make changes in their lives.

Too much focus is given to the rich and famous. George's story is about an ordinary person. He wishes to travel and is never able to. He sees friends like Sam Wainwright grow rich and move away. His own brother is a celebrated war hero. Yet, George is still in Bedford Falls running his family's Savings and Loan.

A crises dispirits George but then an epiphany helps him see he actually has a rich and wonderful life.

One must appreciate what one has even if striving for something more, something different. Use the gifts you have and work toward what you desire.

Halloween Creativity

Halloween brings out the creativity in people. Amazing is the only word to describe what some people come up with for costumes and decorations.

Do you suppose the organizations these folks work for, or volunteer for, tap into their creativity?

Most of the time the answer would be no.

People are motivated to work most successfully and intensely on undertakings they choose themselves. How many organizations authorize that?

The answer? The very best and most creative organizations.

It isn't just big-C creativity that suffers. Getting better at anything involves a certain amount of creativity. Let's call it little-c creativity.

Creativity is one component of improvement. You need coaching, support, and deep practice as well. How well does you organization support these practices? How well do you do them yourself?

Channel the spirit of Halloween. It's not so scary.

Do Something Different!

What Happens to You When Everything Changes

This is a time of transition.

Just look around.

In my area newspapers are only delivered three days a week now and are maybe one-third their previous size.

Will your employer continue to provide health insurance?

Will you even have an employer?

It seems everything today is subject to change. Previous results are no guarantee of future results. Do you play it safe? Well, in a changing world what is safe? Somehow I don't think doing what worked yesterday will get you better results, or even the same results, the day after tomorrow.

Now is a great time to explore. Now is a great time to start to do something different.