Archive for the ‘Creativity’ Category

The Fun Way to Approach Bridal Shower Decorating

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

It’s always fun when family and friends can come together, particularly for an occasion like a bridal shower. After all, it’s to celebrate the bride, her life, and her upcoming wedding. So it’s not unusual for a lot of preparation to take place before the event to ensure that everything goes well, the shower is fun and lively, and attracts all of those who are close and special to the bride.

Bridal shower decorating is vital if a bride wishes that she and her guests have fond memories of that day. Most people opt to base their bridal shower decorating with colors like white or pink to convey elegance, but it is important to have a clue about the preferences of the bride before selecting a color theme. It is perfectly legal to use bright colors or other objects like imitation palm tree leaves, stained glass, flowers or even exotic fruits for bridal shower decorating.

You can begin by pasting colored ribbons along the ceiling, hanging nicely from window and door frames and covering bulbs to give a dim colored illumination. If the bridal shower is to be held outdoors, there is still no limit to the use of ribbons. They can be strewn decoratively along the hedges and fences, hanging from trees and ceilings and around pillars.

Use your bridal shower decorating theme to select table cloths that can add beauty and color to the room. One of the first things your guests will see when arriving is the tables, so make sure your tables are catchy, colorful and attractive.

Keep in mind the age and background of your guests when choosing your bridal shower decorating approach since decorations that are “suggestive” may be offensive to an older crowd, even if it is meant in fun. Using items like flowers, fruits, baskets and bowls is always a safe approach to take. Guests also enjoy seeing photos of the bride, so consider having photo albums available that can be viewed throughout the party. Photos can often be an ice breaker that encourages conversation between those who are not already acquainted.

Balloons are another can’t-miss decorating option. Inside or out, they’re a flexible, fun way to add life and color to your shower. Use colors that match your shower’s theme and consider having some custom balloons made with writings about the bride or that include special messages to the bride from some of your guests.

Last, be sure your bridal shower centerpiece ties into the theme or your shower and the personality of the bride. The bridal shower cake can be used as a centerpiece, or alternatively have a smaller version of the cake on each table as a centerpiece. All of these ideas, with a little creativity, can make your bridal shower decorating efforts a fun and memorable contribution in celebrating the bride-to-be.

Planning a bridal shower soon? Get more tips from Ellen and our other blog writers (like the bridal shower decorating tips here) at bridalshowermoments.com.

First Aid Kits? Who Needs Them? Wacky Alternatives.

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Yeah, seriously — don’t worry about it. Your business doesn’t really need to deal with first aid kits or any kind of special preventative care at the office, because we’ve put together these handy, not-at-all-fake reasons why you can simply go without.

#5: No one ever gets injured.

Come on, injuries? Do they really even happen? Frankly, I’m starting to think this whole “injuries” racket is just that — a bunch of BS! Do you know anyone who’s ever been injured? Come on, I bet you all probably said “no” right there. Wait, what’s that? You do? Oh. Well, moving on….

#4: The human body can heal itself.

This seems to work in comics and various superhero films, and I’m really starting to think that it works in real life, too. I mean we see it all the time when we cut ourselves or something — the body just heals itself right up! Who needs all this first aid crap, anyway?

#3: All that junk…

Ah, all that gauze and those crazy acids and disinfectants and all that crap — who needs it? I talked to a paramedic the other day (it was strange though, as he was living on the street and didn’t have an ambulance, just a shopping cart) and he told me it’s all just a big scam, those first aid kits. Speaking the truth!

#2: You can find simple and “safe” replacements for anything in a first aid kit!

Let’s say you have a little “mishap” at the office — why reach for that dusty, boring old first aid kit when you can use a little creativity (with a capital C, of course) to bandage up that open fracture with a bit of duct tape and printer toner? Try it out, and then let me know how it goes! Well, actually, don’t let me know.

#1: A stitch in time doesn’t always save nine, does it?

I mean yeah, using a first aid kit might save your business a ridiculous amount of money by treating an injury quickly before it gets out of control, avoiding lengthy hospital stays and other such joys, but who can really say, either way? Why not just risk it?

If you are still convinced that first aid kits, fire safety products and all that staff is useful - go on and equip your office and home. You can do it even online nowadays, so you can enjoy a home delivery and a very reasonable pricing.

Be The Brightest Shining Star In The Universe

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

Stars shining brighter than the rest of the galaxy is all about getting ahead, and out performing colleagues as well as the people we compete with in any venture. This specific topic really needs to be of interest if you desire to be on top and develop individually as well as professionally. The heading is ideally a modern day metaphor as well as a brand new look at producing great ideas and the thinking skills necessary to execute at a high degree of performance.

Like it or not, most of us are now living in an extremely competitive universe, known as a galaxy of stars. These kinds of stars signify a person’s business network, your subordinates, your team, even ones manager. Many of us compete with our own special methods while trying to succeed, in the personal universe most of us reside in.

A person’s galaxy exists in a couple of different universes. Your universe includes your job, the company in general, social clubs, as well as other professional activities and social networks. Your galaxy would also include your business.

So how does one pull themselves out of the pile of current talents, stars, fast trackers and wannabe’s, which reside in your own personal galaxies? What is at the core, and what exactly is the catalyst behind stars that burn brighter? Here’s how Jack Welch responded to, what could be described in his book as truly a career defining question; how do you separate yourself and get out of the pile? “Ninety-nine percent of all employees are in the pile because they don’t think. The first thing that you must understand is the importance of getting out of ‘the pile’. The hero is the one with ideas.” -Jack Welch.

Better thinking and ideas are key approaches that will serve as the driver for insuring your future personal or small business successes. Great thinking and ideas are the keys to setting an individual apart from the pack. “Excellent thinkers are always in demand. A person who knows how may often still have a job, but a person who is aware of the reason why, will always be their manager.” -John Maxwell.

Ever speculate why some people are prosperous in their positions, at the office or running a business, while others are not? People who have good idea are more successful overall and have greater achievements and income. That’s a fact. Schooling or lack of it does not separate great thinkers with great ideas from mediocre thinkers and ho hum ideas. Nor will being smart or not being smart. Great thinkers use different skill sets, and just think differently than unsuccessful individuals, and that’s shown in the degree of the ideas they could create.

“The fight for control and leadership of the world happens to be fought most effectively at the idea level.” -The American Covenenant. If struggle for control and leadership around the globe is waged at the idea level, doesn’t it seem sensible that good thinking and ideas in small business, at work or in life is an effective strategy, that makes you sparkle brighter than the other stars?

Businesses pay for thinkers and great ideas. Great thinkers are excellent problem solvers, and they always provide ideas which help develop an organization. These types of competencies are not taught through our school systems, so it’s not a matter of saying I don’t have a higher education, or a diploma that lets me be competitive on an even field with other people’s great ideas.

Truth be told, companies aren’t willing to pay for mediocrity. Would you? If you were a business owner or high level executive, you wouldn’t pay top dollar for the middle of the pile, when you can pay top dollar for the top of the pack! This is why you should never be happy being in the middle of the pile!!!

The art of producing great ideas and great thinking are skill sets which are specific techniques, tools and core competencies. These skill sets do not stand alone to cause you to effective. The creativity skill set drives the motor of great ideas and great thinkers.

At the core of generating great ideas and great thinking is creativity. You can’t be very creative without this skill set and tools. Collectively, they broaden the Body of Knowledge (BOK) that makes up creativity, as well as enhancing the tools and skill sets that in the final analysis turn out great ideas and improve your thinking.

The essence of creativity is much larger than the skill set it really includes, which is why some people don’t see themselves as the creative type, even after they learn about the art of creativity. It’s one more reason why those who think they are not creative say they can rarely come up with a good idea, let alone a great idea. The strings of great thinking, great ideas and creativity are bundled up with each other.

The best news concerning the art of creativity, great thinking and great ideas, is that all people can learn these skill sets. Very quickly, it is possible to become extremely effective using these tools, strategies and resources every day.

In the end, discover the skill sets associated with creativity, great thinking and generating great ideas. You will no longer be a dim light on the horizon, but a glimmering beacon, and most importantly, you will be able to separate from your pack, and become the shining star in your own galaxies.

Want to find out more about being the brightest star, then visit the website to find the best thinking, creativity and idea skill sets you need for top performance.