Eclectic is good
Last month I attended a TEDxYYC TED talk at the Jubilee Auditorium here in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
I have always wanted to attend a TED (Technology, Education and Design) Talk so I jumped at the chance and subtly (flat out requested) that tickets would make a great birthday gift.
I went by myself (more thoughts on my solo adventures later) and I was not disappointed.
In addition to the eclectic and most interesting line up of speakers, the people in attendance, the venue, the buzz in the lobby were also equally interesting.
Art made me think
Take, for example this art, acrylic on books, by Charles Rae in 1985 entitled “Love God.” It was in the lobby and I couldn’t pass it without getting up close and examining it.
It made me think and that was just what I needed.
I had been feeling a little tapped out of ideas, the words just weren’t flowing, inspiration was fleeting at best and it felt like ‘same-old, same-old.’
The rut had snuck up on me.
Four ideas to run that rut out of town
So upon reflection here are some things that work for me:
1) Solo exploration: getting out to an event on your own, preferably where there are other people, forces you to get out of your comfort zone. This is a good thing. You just never know who you will meet, what you will see, or the conversations that will happen.
2) Forget about it: back away from the task at hand. Yes, that’s right, throw in the towel. At least for a few hours, maybe a whole day. Do something totally unrelated. Approach it with fresh eyes.
3) Go analog: read a book, not on a screen mind you, put pen to paper to write a letter, doodle, journal, all those things we don’t do so much anymore.
4) Get dirty: leave the office, the house and get outside. Try a hike, a bike ride, dabble in your garden or sit on your deck. Just be outside.
Have you ever gone to events by yourself? What holds you back?
P.S. Thanks mom and sisters for the tickets to TEDxYYC. Best gift ever!