First she sang a song from a commercial about how there is no wrong way to eat a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. Then she opened a loaf of Wonder Bread, and made one into a sandwich. Next, she brought out a mallet and pounded it. And finally, she added ketchup...
Welcome to Friday Night Improv.
It was quite an experience. In addition to the aforementioned culinary demonstration, we were treated to Rumi poetry, Latin dance, play readings, other spoken word artists, and some wonderful singers.
For me, it was a nice chance to be on the other side of the stage, just relax and take it all in. It was exactly what I needed. I woke up the next day with my creative energy recharged, filled with great ideas, and the desire to implement them.
I went through a similar experience when I was down in Key West, writing the Prosperity book series. I basically channeled the books, sometimes writing 15 hours a day. By the third night, I was sitting in front of the keyboard, but nothing was coming. So I headed off to my favorite hangout in Key West—Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville club.
It’s the only smoky, dark and crowded space you will ever see me enter of my own free will. Jimmy always has great live entertainment, and that night was no exception. There was a group called the Nace Brothers who were playing rocking covers of Van Morrison, the Stones, and some funky original stuff.
The place was elbow-to-elbow, and the noise was deafening, just the kind of scene I avoid like the plague. But I relished in it. The louder the band cranked it, the happier I got.
Of course I ordered a cheeseburger, prepared just like the song says. I know many of you are vegetarians, but if you ever go off the wagon, this is the place to do it.
Because this was such a different scene than I’m used to, all my senses were on fire. I could feel my energy rising with every new song. I headed back to my hotel and polished off the next book.
And as you know, I just returned from a Mediterranean cruise. I slept about ten hours a day, watched a bunch of World Cup games, enjoyed the spa, read some books and visited some amazing ports of call. Now I’m back refreshed and recharged, ready to rock.
So what about you?
It’s important that you give yourself creative stimulation, away from your usual environment. Do you give yourself downtime when you need it? Where do you go when you want to interact with people who think radically different than you do? What do you do when you need to turn off your business mind and relax?
If you’re relying on TV or movies, you’re getting a withering dose of negativity in exchange for your escape. Successful people find ways to unwind that build them up, not tear them down. So what will you do this week to recharge your creative genius?
-RG
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Randy,
I went on the Mediterranean Cruise you did from Barcelona 2 years ago. We started in Barcelona and we had a relaxing 7 days. The bed was king size and I didn't want to go on these excursions. European excursions were all day and wonderful to see Rome etc. THe day at sea was greatly appreciated.
I came back charged up and ready to go. TV doesn't relax me as I am too involved and sometimes walk away more annoyed than anything.
Glad you are back.
JIM
I am going to the USA - how in God's name did this ever happen? How did the home of the free & land of the brave become such a land of negativity!!!
Escape to Panama -
PANAMA -RICH Novak
Alrighty then!
I'm a vino and foodie guy, love the combination... had a ball yesterday at a tasting... love talking to chefs, they're so into it... and I love the passion... picked up a copy of Travel and Leisure yesterday... read a great article about Sonoma and got stoked about moving there soon and dig right into that vino and food scene there...
Not even a real, full vacation...an afternoon at a museum and lunch with Mom, or a gallery opening, or a Saturday plein-air painting class, or curling up with a fantastic book. And there is no time...NONE...as well spent as a lazy trail ride with good friends and good horses.
Hey Randy-
I needed to read this one today. For me being at a potters wheel is the most refreshing creative activity I do to feed my soul these days.
It's a fairly new discovery and a challenging art to learn, but I love it like nothing I have ever done before. Being at the wheel is a completely zen experience and gives me time to become settled and quiet inside. It's instant joy when I put a hunk of clay onto the wheel and watch it start to spin! I can hardly describe the experience. Then to actually form it into something beautiful is amazing to me.
As an extrovert I usually love being around people, and going places, so almost opposite from you, this time of getting away from conversation, gives me the quite time to hear my own inner source and find my gifts again.
NOT interacting in any way with other people is so refreshing and outright joyful. It's like coming home to the place I trust in myself the most. A place where I don't need to be any certain way or please anyone but me.
The odd thing is, (which is why I am glad to have read this post today) that even though I love this time so deeply, I still often feel guilty fitting studio time it into my week.
Anyway, tomorrow I will be in the studio from 9am-noon, quietly getting covered in mud and hopefully moving forward to creating a masterpiece and being really happy for three hours straight:)
Good night and welcome home.
Jeanne
I had a similar experience last week Randy.
I attended a conference for speakers. I was able to sit back, relax and learn from some of the best in the business. I saw the legend http://www.HarveyMackay.com and had an opportunity to have dinner sitting between Harvey and http://www.BillBartmann.com.
I met an up-and-comer http://www.ChetHolmes.com who is partnered with http://www.AnthonyRobbins.com .
I learned all about information marketing from some incredibly bright young entrepreneurs.
Check out the site http://www.SANGEvents.com it would be great to see you at the next SANG Randy, you'd love it.
Ooops, and I am going to the movies tonight...:)
Well, I´d better find out something else to do my next time away from my ordinary day. Thank´s for pointing this out!
Randy -
Couldn't agree more! One of my favorite quotes from the book "Power of full engagement" says - “…the richer and deeper the source of emotional recovery, the more we refill our reserves and the more resilient we become.”
That's why I'm into the extreme stuff and totally unique experiences - but it doesn't have to the same for everyone. You just need to getaway and for heaven's sake - DON'T check your email that day.
-Yanik
Hey dude,
Nice to see you stopping by here!
-RG
When I want to unwind I go and dance salsa. I love it when I step into the room, the music is playing, and people are enjoying themselves. It is a place to be present and connect with others without worrying about what happened during the day. The remedy is always the same, if you get laid off, dance... You have a hang nail, dance.... I love it!!!
This totally defines the saying, "Walk away from the project & regroup."
My "therapy" is landscaping & becoming one with the worms. Or....remodeling. There is nothing like knocking out walls, tearing out the old & creating something awesome. Also...the smell of paint & plaster is a "high." Sick I know...but anytime I smell paint I want to create! (My ex was a homebuilder / contractor so those things are prob ingrained!)
This time of the year I love the beach or poolside. Hearing kids laugh, creating games as they go, the splash of the waves, is my escape to, not from reality. I envision places I want to visit & with whom, conversations I want to have, foods I want to sample,etc. It engages all my senses. Of course the power naps are great until the ice cream truck man comes around!
Thanks RG,
g
oohhhh how did I forget my fav things....motorcycles & sail boats. I was thinking about the paint fumes! LOL!
Snorkeling & swimming around islands from sun-up till sun-down, exploring new cities with a camera, writing poetry/ reading at sidewalk cafes, jumping on to a plane without knowing (or caring) where I'm going or why, riding old steam trains overnight to another city hours away > need to do all this alone to really recharge...no laptop, no phone, no internet, and nobody else.
As for this week, I'm just gonna get enough sleep. 🙂
"It’s important that you give yourself creative stimulation, away from your usual environment. Do you give yourself downtime when you need it? "
I have a tendency to work work work through the night or even through the day without any sleep. This is not anything really to be proud of but to be avoided, really, I always worked hard long hours, when I worked in the IT field (I was much younger then), and I still live in the same lifestyle without taking a break unless I consciously push myself and tell myself 'STOP! Stop working!' I don't know how and where I got this trait. A few years back, I decided to spend three months in England to take a break, for the purpose of recuperating myself from endless hard work, when I didn't know anyone in the country. 🙂 It was fun! It was such an eye opening experience for me. I found people whom I literally ran into so overwhelmingly friendly and kind, and both women and men literally came and started a conversation with me, wherever I went, simply because they knew that I was a tourist, perhpas interestingly enough with a heavy American accent (for a Japanese girl) that I had picked up by having lived here for such a long time It is a country consisting of people who prefer living in their particular British ways and people who are liberalized in their thinking, and love the US. I had such a great time and found myself being totally recuperated from all the stress that I had when I came back to California.
That was when I came to realize how wonderful/thrilling it would be to be able to travel freely whenever I want to and do whatever I want to, instead of being glued to work, even if the money that I'm making is great. I spent three months in England, and then two months in Japan right after I returned to California which meant that I worked only another half of the year that year. As you (Randy) speak of where you are now and where will be next, sounding like you're having such a great time really makes me jealous of your lifestyle which in turn motivates me to keep on believing and working at my goals. Next time, like I stayed in England for three months, when I want to escape from this noisy world and take a breakt, I would like to visit Barcelona where you were, Italy, and down to Jerusalem on my next major long trip.
I envy you and your freedom, Randy! No. I respect your hardship, never-giving up belief, and adore you, your success, and freedom. Thanks, RG. Big Hugs from me:: Sa.
I recharge by going door to door passing out brochures from my company in very nice neighborhoods and look at the houses and yards.
Prosperity TV
Randy,
I went on the Mediterranean Cruise you did from Barcelona 2 years ago. We started in Barcelona and we had a relaxing 7 days. The bed was king size and I didn't want to go on these excursions. European excursions were all day and wonderful to see Rome etc. THe day at sea was greatly appreciated.
I came back charged up and ready to go. TV doesn't relax me as I am too involved and sometimes walk away more annoyed than anything.
Glad you are back.
JIM
I am going to the USA - how in God's name did this ever happen? How did the home of the free & land of the brave become such a land of negativity!!!
Escape to Panama -
PANAMA -RICH Novak
Alrighty then!
I'm a vino and foodie guy, love the combination... had a ball yesterday at a tasting... love talking to chefs, they're so into it... and I love the passion... picked up a copy of Travel and Leisure yesterday... read a great article about Sonoma and got stoked about moving there soon and dig right into that vino and food scene there...
Not even a real, full vacation...an afternoon at a museum and lunch with Mom, or a gallery opening, or a Saturday plein-air painting class, or curling up with a fantastic book. And there is no time...NONE...as well spent as a lazy trail ride with good friends and good horses.
Hey Randy-
I needed to read this one today. For me being at a potters wheel is the most refreshing creative activity I do to feed my soul these days.
It's a fairly new discovery and a challenging art to learn, but I love it like nothing I have ever done before. Being at the wheel is a completely zen experience and gives me time to become settled and quiet inside. It's instant joy when I put a hunk of clay onto the wheel and watch it start to spin! I can hardly describe the experience. Then to actually form it into something beautiful is amazing to me.
As an extrovert I usually love being around people, and going places, so almost opposite from you, this time of getting away from conversation, gives me the quite time to hear my own inner source and find my gifts again.
NOT interacting in any way with other people is so refreshing and outright joyful. It's like coming home to the place I trust in myself the most. A place where I don't need to be any certain way or please anyone but me.
The odd thing is, (which is why I am glad to have read this post today) that even though I love this time so deeply, I still often feel guilty fitting studio time it into my week.
Anyway, tomorrow I will be in the studio from 9am-noon, quietly getting covered in mud and hopefully moving forward to creating a masterpiece and being really happy for three hours straight:)
Good night and welcome home.
Jeanne
I had a similar experience last week Randy.
I attended a conference for speakers. I was able to sit back, relax and learn from some of the best in the business. I saw the legend http://www.HarveyMackay.com and had an opportunity to have dinner sitting between Harvey and http://www.BillBartmann.com.
I met an up-and-comer http://www.ChetHolmes.com who is partnered with http://www.AnthonyRobbins.com .
I learned all about information marketing from some incredibly bright young entrepreneurs.
Check out the site http://www.SANGEvents.com it would be great to see you at the next SANG Randy, you'd love it.
Ooops, and I am going to the movies tonight...:)
Well, I´d better find out something else to do my next time away from my ordinary day. Thank´s for pointing this out!
Randy -
Couldn't agree more! One of my favorite quotes from the book "Power of full engagement" says - “…the richer and deeper the source of emotional recovery, the more we refill our reserves and the more resilient we become.”
That's why I'm into the extreme stuff and totally unique experiences - but it doesn't have to the same for everyone. You just need to getaway and for heaven's sake - DON'T check your email that day.
-Yanik
Hey dude,
Nice to see you stopping by here!
-RG
When I want to unwind I go and dance salsa. I love it when I step into the room, the music is playing, and people are enjoying themselves. It is a place to be present and connect with others without worrying about what happened during the day. The remedy is always the same, if you get laid off, dance... You have a hang nail, dance.... I love it!!!
This totally defines the saying, "Walk away from the project & regroup."
My "therapy" is landscaping & becoming one with the worms. Or....remodeling. There is nothing like knocking out walls, tearing out the old & creating something awesome. Also...the smell of paint & plaster is a "high." Sick I know...but anytime I smell paint I want to create! (My ex was a homebuilder / contractor so those things are prob ingrained!)
This time of the year I love the beach or poolside. Hearing kids laugh, creating games as they go, the splash of the waves, is my escape to, not from reality. I envision places I want to visit & with whom, conversations I want to have, foods I want to sample,etc. It engages all my senses. Of course the power naps are great until the ice cream truck man comes around!
Thanks RG,
g
oohhhh how did I forget my fav things....motorcycles & sail boats. I was thinking about the paint fumes! LOL!
Snorkeling & swimming around islands from sun-up till sun-down, exploring new cities with a camera, writing poetry/ reading at sidewalk cafes, jumping on to a plane without knowing (or caring) where I'm going or why, riding old steam trains overnight to another city hours away > need to do all this alone to really recharge...no laptop, no phone, no internet, and nobody else.
As for this week, I'm just gonna get enough sleep. 🙂
"It’s important that you give yourself creative stimulation, away from your usual environment. Do you give yourself downtime when you need it? "
I have a tendency to work work work through the night or even through the day without any sleep. This is not anything really to be proud of but to be avoided, really, I always worked hard long hours, when I worked in the IT field (I was much younger then), and I still live in the same lifestyle without taking a break unless I consciously push myself and tell myself 'STOP! Stop working!' I don't know how and where I got this trait. A few years back, I decided to spend three months in England to take a break, for the purpose of recuperating myself from endless hard work, when I didn't know anyone in the country. 🙂 It was fun! It was such an eye opening experience for me. I found people whom I literally ran into so overwhelmingly friendly and kind, and both women and men literally came and started a conversation with me, wherever I went, simply because they knew that I was a tourist, perhpas interestingly enough with a heavy American accent (for a Japanese girl) that I had picked up by having lived here for such a long time It is a country consisting of people who prefer living in their particular British ways and people who are liberalized in their thinking, and love the US. I had such a great time and found myself being totally recuperated from all the stress that I had when I came back to California.
That was when I came to realize how wonderful/thrilling it would be to be able to travel freely whenever I want to and do whatever I want to, instead of being glued to work, even if the money that I'm making is great. I spent three months in England, and then two months in Japan right after I returned to California which meant that I worked only another half of the year that year. As you (Randy) speak of where you are now and where will be next, sounding like you're having such a great time really makes me jealous of your lifestyle which in turn motivates me to keep on believing and working at my goals. Next time, like I stayed in England for three months, when I want to escape from this noisy world and take a breakt, I would like to visit Barcelona where you were, Italy, and down to Jerusalem on my next major long trip.
I envy you and your freedom, Randy! No. I respect your hardship, never-giving up belief, and adore you, your success, and freedom. Thanks, RG. Big Hugs from me:: Sa.
I recharge by going door to door passing out brochures from my company in very nice neighborhoods and look at the houses and yards.