Idea Drunk

Lessons From Michael Jackson To Improve Your Creativity

Christian — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:58:48 +0000

It’s undeniable. Michael Jackson was a creative genius. And the mark of a true genius is the ability to inspire other people through their work. To push boundaries and show everyone that the impossible is indeed achievable. The passing of the King of Pop has prompted me to reflect on how MJ can still inspire us and our creativity.

There’s a lot of things that we can learn from his example, but here are the top 5:

1. It All Starts With THE MAN IN THE MIRROR.
Whenever you have an idea, a goal or a project, you have to remember that it all starts with you. If you see something wrong with your world, don’t complain about it. Fix it. Think about how you could change things to make it better. And then do it. Some of the best ideas are born out of the fact that people decide to fix a problem.

2. It Doesn’t Matter If You’re BLACK OR WHITE.
Or a high school dropout. Or an investment banker. Good ideas can come from anywhere. Don’t get caught up in the prejudices put on by stereotypes. Just because someone wears a suit and a tie to work doesn’t mean that they don’t have an artistically brilliant mind. Always be open to hearing what insights people can offer. Everyone has different life experiences, which lead to different ideas. One of them might be the right one for your brand.

3. If You Hit A Creative Wall, Just BEAT IT.
Run! Get out of there. The best thing to do if you get writer’s block or hit the “wall” is to change your surroundings. Don’t be afraid to call it quits on a creative area. Because to be creative, you have to be inspired. And you get inspired by experiencing different things. Most of those things aren’t in a boardroom, or an office. So, beat it. Get out to a park or a coffee shop, and try it again.

4. Stay The Hell Away From DIRTY DIANA.
There are people in all creative industries aren’t here to create. They are in it for the image. They saw Mad Men and want to hang out in advertising for the daytime drinking, sexual harassment and cocaine. Or they got into film to rub shoulders with celebrities and drive a Porsche. What they don’t do is help you creatively. They distract your focus from the work and the thinking to all of the frivolous perks. So ignore the Dirty Diana’s and concentrate on developing great ideas.

5. Whenever You Feel Lost, Remember That YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
People are friendly. They like to help. Don’t be afraid to ask for it. Often, the barrier between the success and failure of a pitch is that people are too nervous to ask for help. So whenever you are unsure of a strategy or looking for fresh perspectives, flex your network and involve as many smart people as possible.

And one final thought. Take the time to listen to these songs and hear the lyrics. They might be smarter than you may have originally thought.

Click here for The Man In The Mirror.
Click here for Black Or White.
Click here for Beat It.
Click here for Dirty Diana.
Click here for You Are Not Alone.

- Christian

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A Solution To Plastic Water Bottles

Christian — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:41:47 +0000

It’s so brilliant because it’s so simple. You still get the benefit of disposable water, but without the everlasting pollution that is plastic water bottles.

Check out more details here.

- Christian

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Rethinking The Modern Zoo

Christian — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:05:03 +0000

I stumbled across these pictures while reading Fast Company. They are from the Schönbrunn Zoo in Vienna. This summer its animals share their pens with an installation created by artists Christoph Steinbrener and Rainer Dempf that reflects the degradation of animal habitats.

It flies in the face of the conventional way that we view animal habitats. It will influence the children that come to visit the zoo. It serves as a startling argument for change.

I like it. It goes against the norm to deliver a message that breaks through. It’s a good educational tool, it’s great art, but it’s also great advertising.

- Christian

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Library

Christian — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:33:33 +0000

When was the last time you were in a library? It feels like when you’re in school you are there constantly. But that’s because you HAVE to study and you HAVE to learn. When was the last time that you were curious about something, so you went to the library? That you relied on a book instead of Google?

Just a thought.

- Christian

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The White Pebble

Christian — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:37:19 +0000

Religion often provides us with the greatest tools to teach people values, motivations, inspiration and (most importantly) about themselves. Through thousands of years of preaching, parables and teaching, you don’t have to believe everything … but you can always learn.

Courtesy of Hugh.

It’s not about believing or not believing. It’s not about what religion or god or set of beliefs that you identify with. But you have to admit, every religion has some pretty fascinating parables. And we could all learn something from them.

- Christian

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The Kanye Curriculum – 7 Ways To Be A Success

Christian — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 08:00:55 +0000

Originally found here. Please enjoy some pearls of wisdom from a guy I consider to be one of the most creative people in the world. They don’t always make sense, but whatever. It’s Kanye.

Know your worth. People always act like they’re doing more for you than you’re doing for them. Ask yourself this question, “Why would they do that?” Obviously, you bring something to the table for them to even do business with you.
I wonder … would you rather have 100% from an average person or 10% from someone who is outstanding?
Believe in your flyness. Conquer your shyness.
You can learn more from a critique than from a compliment.
If everybody thinks it’s right, you’re doing something wrong.
Love your haters. They’re your biggest fans.
I question anyone who annoys me … but I question myself all the time.

Number three is my favourite.

- Christian

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It’s Always Awkward …

Christian — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:05:20 +0000

When you think this guy is your target market:

But it’s actually this guy:

One word – awkward. And I’m not talking about the inappropriately short gym shorts and pasty white man-thighs. But we often forget that there is a big difference between who we think consumes our product and who actually does.

I’m not saying that it isn’t correct to have an aspirational target. I’m saying that you shouldn’t forget that the majority of Canada doesn’t live in the city where you’re making your advertising. The majority of Canada doesn’t frequent hipster bars on Ossington and shop at H&M. They drink beer at their campsites, shop at Wal-Mart and got to Boston Pizza for a nice meal. And sometimes, they have amazing handlebar mustaches.

- Christian

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TV Brainstorming – How To Do It

Christian — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:57:33 +0000

A couple of days ago, I posted an article that pointed out that you can find a hell of a lot more time to do productive things if you forgo some passive television watching. For the past week, I’ve been thinking about this.

On one hand, it’s easy to give up television right now. There are no good shows on. The NHL and NBA playoffs are almost over. What is there left to watch? Now is the perfect opportunity to kick the habit and do something more productive with your time.

On the other hand, I like the relaxed escape and imaginary environment that television creates. I can see the benefits in letting an alternate universe wash over you. It got me thinking – why not do both? Escape to TV-land, but remain productive.

And that’s how television brainstorming was born.

All you need is a problem, a notepad and a television. Here’s how to do it. As you are watching your program, pause during each of the commercial breaks to ask one of these three questions:

1. How would your favourite character on the show solve your problem?
2. How would your issue be different in their TV universe?
3. How would the bad guy on the show solve your problem?

By placing your problem in the universe that your television program has created, you bend your mind and look at the problems differently. You use your imagination to see potential solutions. You suspend the “rules” of your normal universe to take on those from an imaginary one. All of these things can lead to solutions in the real world.

The best thing about this technique is that it creates a time constraint. If you don’t think of anything during one commercial break, you’re back to your program. And in 5 minutes, you get another shot at brainstorming.

So, give it a shot. Let me know what you think.

- Christian

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Hammertime Ambush

Christian — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:27:31 +0000

Blatant ripoff of the T-mobile dance party?
Yes.

Obvious promo for A&E’s new show featuring MC Hammer?
Yes.

Is it still amazing?
Absolutely.

- Christian

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0.7%

Christian — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:00:14 +0000

This is my 200th post on Idea Drunk. That’s pretty awesome.

I’d like to take the opportunity to thank you for reading. It’s been a lot of fun to write, to brainstorm and (of course) to drink. And to know that fellow Idea Drunks come back again and again to read my ramblings is flattering.

If you like what you find here, tell a friend.
If you’re too lazy to come back every week, please subscribe.
If you have a question, email me.
If you live in Toronto, drop me a line and we’ll go for a drink.

Here’s an interesting fact: it is estimated that at any one time, 0.7% of the world’s population is drunk. That’s over 42 million people. It’s nice to know that you’re not alone.

- Christian

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