There was a nice write-up in the Kansas City Business Journal about the first annual AAF-KC Gas Can Creative Conference held June 20. That even was such a mind-boom! I plan on going next year, whether I speak or not! Such good takeaways and good juju!

My favorites included 

• John January's talk about finding your gift and sharing it. Walking, talking, sharing good juju!
  
• Jenné Fromm, who told us to just stop comparing ourselves to others—no good can come of it.
• Eric "Mean" Melin, 2013 World Air Guitar Champion, who not only lifted the curtain to the practice and competition of air guitar, but who wrapped it perfectly into creative take-aways I can start on now.
• Stephanie Voss, who showed what it looks like to embody "grace under pressure." And just EFIT.
• Garrett Fusilier's visuals were so far away of what I experience at work—what amazing eye candy! His child-like enthusiasm is so contagious! Be in a "sponge state."
• Stefan Mumaw's willingness to give and give and give. He's got a big heart to match his height.  ;-)

That big scribble there on the screen behind me is just that. I made several points with it. First, that making a giant scribble on your page means that you've stepped away from your electronic devices. Second, it defeats the tyranny of the blank page, which is a real thing. Third, it gets you moving and thinking and creating, and once in motion, you're much more likely to stay that way. Fourth, take a look at what you just scribbled. What do you see? In my scribble (which I drew with my left hand, along with my entire presentation), I see a skier in mid-jump, a Chinese character, an anarchy A, and a dancer. Perhaps one of the things you see in your scribble will connect with the thing you're working on. Fifth (five already?!), it releases you from the pressure of being perfect. The world does not need you to be perfect! It needs you to be authentic. If authentic involves scribbling, then do it! Sixth, and finally, it just might help you make your point a little clearer.

Thanks for reading,
Cami  =)

p.s. Thanks for the photo and the nice words Leslie—you're a peach! And I hope you can keep writing to your hearts content!

I know people will disagree with me when I say that creativity isn't something you're born with. It isn't an all-or-nothing, either-you-have-it-or-you-don't thing. Most people who don't work in a creative field feel that creativity is about drawing pictures or, like what I do, work on the computer to make things look pretty.* "Oh, I can't draw even a stick figure," say some people (ahem, Mom—you can too!). 

It's a muscle that needs flexing, stretching, and practice. My pal Stefan Mumaw knows all about that, and is a pro at helping others learn to produce brilliant ideas by getting stupid. From yesterday's Kansas City Business Journal article about getting stupid:

     Everyone is creative, even certified public accountants.

     Stefan Mumaw would argue that CPAs are just as creative as anybody else.

     "We don't usually look at creativity as something we can improve at; we look at it as something we either have or don't have,
      which isn't the case," said Mumaw, creative director at Lawrence-based marketing agency Callahan Creek.

Read the rest of the article here.

Thanks for reading, and hopefully, I'll see you this Friday!
Cami  =)

*Don't get me started. This is a topic for another post altogether.

I am SO very excited to be a spark in this event! Twelve inspiring speakers covering a range of creative topics. Four hands-on workshops training everything from brainstorming to idea selling. One desperately needed day remembering why we fell in love with this industry in the first place. Regardless of your department or expertise, there was a time when all that mattered was the work, a time when ideas came freely and problems were easily solved. You were going to change the world, remember? You were a gas can full of accelerant, daring the embers of passing fires to burn close. It only takes one strike for the boom to come. You bring the match, we’ll bring the boom.

Come for the morning session, the afternoon session, or stay all day—this is an event like no other AAF-KC has ever hosted! It’s not just for agency creative; if your job requires you to solve problems creatively and drive innovation, this will be a day you won’t want to miss.

Yes! Sign up today!   
I'll see you there!
Cami  =)