bachelorette should use her work skills when weeding through the candidates!

The social media-savvy Bachelorette Ali Fedotowsky should follow her brain as well as her heart when weeding through the potential husband candidates. The way I look at it, it’s a similar process as finding the perfect new employee or client.

You have to force yourself be keenly judgmental, observant, and analytical, but above all, be true to yourself and your instincts.

1. How do they speak about previous relationships? You wouldn’t hire someone who spoke harshly about their previous employer without taking any blame; why would you want to be around someone who talks negatively about previous love interests? It shows immaturity, lack of responsibility or a love of gossip. Either way, move on, Ali!

2. Enthusiasm and passion. You have FIFTY guys in the house. It’s time to go big or go home. To prove they are here for you, they need to be assertive and not afraid to politely ask to speak with you in private to get one-on-one time. The ones who get kicked off and complain like whiny babies because they “didn’t get enough time” are just using their time unwisely or being a pushover to more eager-to-meet-Ali guys.

3. Just because someone looks great on paper doesn’t mean they will work in the long-term. If there is something about them that irks you, don’t wait to second-guess yourself, get them outta there! (It could be something as telling as their career choice, or as trivial as their lack of eye contact or annoying laugh.)

4. On the same note, have you ever met someone, thought you knew them, but then met their friends and were completely shocked at how much you must have misjudged them? Friends and contacts of a person can explain a lot about a person’s lifestyle and interests. Ali is a social butterfly in real life and needs a man who can keep up and get along great with other guys. She should steer clear of drama-causers and attention-getters who care more about TV appearances than quality time. And when she hits hometowns, she should specifically ask to meet their group of friends to see if she can envision a life in that circle of friends.

5. Communication skills are a must! While they may be a good match on dates in exotic faraway lands, Ali needs to evaluate whether each potential husband shares her values and holds her interest on a boring night at home. I know the show would drop ratings if they had do more “normal people” things like grocery shopping, cooking at home or working out, but these are situations that tell a lot about a person’s compatibility and character. If it’s raining, does he drop you off and then park the car? Does he like to cook or order take-out every night? Is he a remote control hog and/or a weekends-dedicated-to-sports-only kind of guy? And if so, does that bother her? What does he REALLY like to do in his free time? (Or is he a workaholic like her?)

These are just a few quick things off the top of my head. I was rooting for Ali last season, but I think she played her cards right for a [strategic] second chance at love. It’s always more fun to be in the driver’s seat.

The competition is fierce out there, no matter what your industry.

From designing an illustrious billboard or scripting a masterpiece of a press release, to innovatively cutting [the right] corners so you stay “in the black” this quarter… one thing remains certain: creativity is a must-have these days, not a luxury.

Creativity block?

Ever leave a brainstorming meeting in the morning, only to have your mind flooded with great ideas later that day, when you are cruising with the windows down and music blasting? It’s just as inevitable as thinking of the perfect ‘comeback’ to a bully an hour after he leaves. Sometimes, it’s unavoidable. But other times, you may be able to tinker with fate by psyching yourself out long enough to plan a preemptive “creativity block” attack.

Try this:

When a client or supervisor requests a brainstorming appointment, request a meeting agenda prior to discussing the project at least three days in advance. Think about the basic project goals for a few minutes, stew over the concepts, and then force it out of your mind. Chances are, random yet relevant ideas will creep their way into your head a day or two later. Whether you were triggered by a song on the radio, the latest reddit post, or a snide comment your barista spewed this a.m., you’ll still have plenty of time to structure your thoughts and prep for the meeting.

While I want to save some good stuff for later, it’s been way too long since I made a lovely list. And I love lists. So, below are a few classic creative quickies:

- Poem journals
- Dream notebooks
- Visual storyboards – Joe Duffy-style http://www.duffy.com/
- Making a home made gift for someone you love (extra points if you have never attempted that particular item before.) I am trying a blanket right now, and so far it’s me: zero, needles: 57. But it will be worth it.  And also recently, created my first YouTube-esque video that is a spoof of a favorite spoof. Just think of the thing that person is very excited about at the moment, pop culture or otherwise, and see how you can “make it your own.”
- Balderdash or Scattergories. These games get your mind going like no other. Don’t knock ‘em til you’ve tried ‘em.
- Reading Shock Therapy. If you typically swoon over Nicholas Sparks romance novels, try to get a thirst for Twilight. If you usually dig humor books like Stephen Colbert, see how quickly you can solve a mystery novel. Switch it up as often as you switch shampoos, and you may be pleased with your shiny new ideas
- Attend those cocktail hours or movie nights that are slightly out of your inner circle. Before declining, ask yourself “why not?” You can learn something new and inspiring every day, if you pay attention. Often in the least likely of people.
- Take a mini notebook attached with a pen with you everywhere. I mean, everywhere. Recently, I captured an idea while cycling at the gym. Had I not recorded it then and there, it may have escaped entirely, since we tend to second guess ourselves about what is “worth” saving or repeating. If you keep your random ideas in this little notebook, you can refer back to it from time to time.

Intimidated that you won’t be able to top your last victory? Thanks to Zen Habits, I found this insightful video on Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love. The last half is my favorite:
Elizbeth Gilbert on Nurturing Creativity on TED, Zen Habits

Ironically, a little bit of insomnia and this post topic inspired the concept of a regular AMUSEing Fridays ~ Weekly Creativity Ideas piece. Here’s to hoping it’s a good omen!

I have pages, doodles and post-its filled with creativity musings, but please feel free to share your own comments, thoughts and musings on the subject.