5 Cool Things: great work, a ta-da list, idea paint, wild remixes, & planners to flourish by

Today just has that feel about it. I can tell it’s going to be a cool one, so why not add to the coolness with another round of 5 Cool Things?

Cool Thing #1: 7 Ways to Do Great Work

Michael Bungay Stanier, creator of the popular 8 Principles of Fun video, has done it once again. He’s opened up his Box of Crayons and colored outside the lines in order to help us think differently about the work we do.

Stanier says there are three types of work: bad work, good work, and great work. Of course, it’s the latter he thinks we should be focusing on, and he’s put together a nice presentation of 7 ways to do so, most of them counterintuitive.

Check them out and start thinking about your work in great new ways.

The Presentation: 7 Ways to Do Great Work
The Presenter: Michael Bungay Stanier

Cool Thing #2: The Ta-Da List

Lisa Sonora Beam, author of the fabulous book, The Creative Entrepreneur, is a most colorful guru when it comes to getting unstuck. Recently, she posted a gem on her blog about the importance of giving ourselves credit for what we’ve accomplished.

We have a tendency to look at our to-do lists and note all the things we’ve yet to check off. Lisa’s asking us to turn that upside down and put together what she calls a Ta-Da List, a proud record of all the things we’ve started, finished, and put out into the world.

Read more about this terrific idea and give yourself a well earned pat on the back.

The Exercise: The Ta-Da List
The Inventor: Lisa Sonora Beam

Cool Thing #3: Idea Paint

A coworker once told me about a rather creative study technique his father used in law school. He wrote all his notes on the walls of his room.

The night before an exam, he would simply pace around and let the walls speak to him. Afterwards, he would paint over his notes and start anew.

That idea always captured my imagination, but the lazy man in me hates that kind of painting, never mind the repainting.

Then someone told me about Idea Paint. Basically, it turns any surface into a white board, which means you can write and draw on it, then erase it when you’re ready to start over.

It’s a little pricey, but not that bad when you consider the fact that one coat will do ya. I plan to order some soon, and I’ll show you how I’m using it once I do.

Take a look for yourself.

The Product: Idea Paint
The Inventors: John Goscha, Jeff Avallon and Morgan Newman

Cool Thing #4: Avalanches of Fun with Old LPs

The members of The Avalanches, an Australian electronic music group, stumbled upon stacks of old LPs while searching for musical instruments in junk stores.

Then an idea was born. They started sampling and remixing the audio from those old recordings to create something completely new.

The results are hip, fun, and entertaining. Here’s one of their most popular creations, Frontier Psychiatrist. Enjoy.

The Album: Since I Left You
The Band: The Avalanches

Cool Thing #5: Charlie and the Planner Factory

When I began this journey, time simply wasn’t a factor. I was wandering, meandering, and exploring. It was delicious.

But now I’m entering an equally delicious phase, one where I have some real objectives. I’m ready to take what I’ve discovered and do something with it.

It’s time for time management. Luckily for me, I’ve befriended Charlie Gilkey, the mastermind behind ProductiveFlourishing.com.

Charlie is a creative person’s kind of productivity expert, and he’s put together some amazingly easy-to-use planners that he offers on his website. I’m currently trying out the free ones and finding them most helpful. I’m sure it won’t be long before I pony up for the premium versions.

You might like them too.

The Planners: Productive Flourishing Planners
The Man Behind Them: Charlie Gilkey

Cool.

You stay cool now, ya hear?

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