CHALLENGE 1 | DAY 19 | 30 day challenges and learn about blogging.

22 january '14

Wordpress is not as easy as it looks like.

It's hard for me to get used to the interface of wordpress. I've been busy for an hour straight on themes, writing content etc. This will be a short message just a note about what I did. 

Sorry more to come next time!

CHALLENGE 1 | DAY 18 | 30 day challenges and learn to blog

21 january '14


The exploration of unknown territory: Wordpress, database and ftp client

I learned a lot today! But first I want to share with you the fact that I created my first wordpress site-to-build.
A big mouth and always shouting I can do it, but stuff with computers or IT? Never thought that would happen. When it starts with "www", my head starts spinning. But today I managed to:

1. download wordpress
2. download filezilla (didn't even know you needed this!)
3. uploaded the wordpress with filezilla to the server
4. configured my database
5. after one hour of puzzling I had a big smile looking at the dashboard for my first wordpress site

If I can do it! You can do it! Now it's time to build a nice appearance of my site which is called +www.extremelifestyledesign.com or XLD for short.

Keep you posted of course!! Now it's time to study creativity. I worked longer on this. Better to much information and a little less sleep. Tomorrow won't be a busy day. In the contrary of the last 3 weeks! In my enthusiasm and workaholic modus I slept an average of 5/6 hours a night.
Normally I do 9 hours so for me it's big! But going strong, feeling happy, inspired and healthy!

CHALLENGE 2 | DAY 17 | All about creativity

20 january '14

What do Albert Einstein, Steve Jobs and Richard Branson have in common?

The names are not random. Their ideas are not common. Why do I read about these people? Everybody knows Albert Einstein. Off course, why wouldn't you. Relativity etc. But did you know that he never wear socks? Or did you know that he failed is entrance exam for university? This is weird, that's what I think is interesting.

Everybody knows +Steve Jobs. But, and this is a shame, not everybody knows +Richard Branson . Fortunately almost everybody knows Virgin Atlantic or +Virgin *something*.

But did you know that all three guys share the same disability called: Dyslexia.

What is the link between dyslexia and creativity?

I'm going to research this tomorrow? Anyone who already knows the answer? Please comment below!

CHALLENGE 2 | DAY 16 | All about creativity

19 january '14

The research on creativity is not very creative!
But very interesting though....

If you start researching creativity. Most people tell the same story, only with different words and their own vantage point.


The secret to creativity by +Mike Dillon
You have to think inside box according to Mike Dillon, a former imagineer at Disney Studios. To be creative, to get new ideas, you have to fill your box with knowledge.
Experience new stuff! Do stuff you normally wouldn't do. With all the digital media there no longer is an excuse for not experiencing new stuff.

ASK QUESTIONS!!
WANDER!!
BE CURIOUS!!

Creativity and imagination by +Gregg Fraley
Ask the mind for images, text. Try to Relax, wander around, sit, sleep, do what works for you. Go for Mash Ups. Bring to concepts together.
Imagination is something you choose.

Ideas are meaningless unless you put them in to action!

ONE TIME CHALLENGE | Tango workshop

16 january '14

Charlie, Tango, Bravo

My first impulsive action of the year! I went fully out of my comfort zone today. On tuesday I went on a dinner with a colleague and friend. We had a great 'authentic' thai meal and spent the time with some great conversation topics. One of the topics was 'the Tango'. He told me a story about the beauty of this dance. Besides the beauty he described all the feelings and interactions, between human beings, while dancing this extraordinary dance!

So I was stoked and that same night I went for a research and found +www.tangogroningen.nl where they teach you all about the Argentinian Tango. The funny part is that the have lessens to try for free until thursday 16th, today! Without hesitation I mailed and today I had a workshop/lesson!

What a difficult but interesting way of dancing. Especially the feeling and interaction between the male and female. Learning to lead, learning to feel and learning all about your own posture and movement. A very uncomfortable situation for me. I had to touch strange women. I had to move in a way that I've never done before. I had to be social.

Patience, relaxation, feeling, listening, body language, focus, trying, failing, learning. So many words come to mind and all just after 1,5 hour of trying something I never tried before!

CHALLENGE 2 | DAY 12 | All about creativity

14 january '14

Teach what you preach and implement what you learn

My work today was all about teaching kids 'Free' 'Running'. And it is interesting to see that during this workshops more and more knowledge of 'creativity' is implemented. My workshop freerunning is all about the art of making a choice. Making a choice and taking response ability for your own actions and behavior.

We started with 10 minutes of free running. Own responsibility, own choice. You are the director, coach, trainer, first aid ;), motivator. Everything is possible as long as you respect your environment and your co students.

Next 5 minutes was all about individual creating. You take a certain situation and you try to make up as many options as possible to deal with the situation. Key words are focus, concentration, silence and no secret meetings or get-togethers. During this 5 minute exercise it is not allowed to speak.

Break time is about showing the different solutions you came up with. With each other we came up to at least 6 or 7 different, unique solutions for one given situation.

The exercise now is 10 minutes and you have to learn somebody else's solutions, you came up with. Learn from each other, communicate, respect. When one speaks the other listens. Explain the importance of this skill for example. And so on.

I came up with this idea because of the article I read. The article explained that creativity is a individual task and the group comes in the picture when decisions have to be made.


Today was a hard day of work! A hard but energetic day. My food is great, my energy level is perfect, I'm super stoked and focused. The kids have good energy and that resonates back to me.

CHALLENGE 1 | DAY 8 | 30 day challenges and learn to blog

9 january '14

Why?
This subject is on the list because I was a little bit afraid that I wouldn't start. Or that it would be difficult. But I really enjoy writing about my experience. It is still difficult, but that is because i'm a perfectionist. Especially creativity is not hard at all. But I find it really hard to write about learning to blog or shaping my 30 day challenges.

Shaping my challenges is not a difficult task I already have until september. Maybe some subjects will switch, but there are only a few that need serious planning.

Yesterday I decided that Singing is going to be a new challenge to put on the list. Another one which I want to do is create an E-book instead of just writing à book.
And this sounds a bit crazy but I always wanted to learn some basic Ballet.

Extra:
- Ballet
- Singing
- Write an E-book
- Adsense

I just made a Facebook page. I don't know if that's a good thing, but since I'm still a newby in business I listen to most people around. Everybody tells you, face book is a thing you need to do, especially when you're in business.

CHALLENGE 2 | DAY 6 | All about creativity

Creativiteit in 7 stappen +raphael diluzio 

1. Vorm een idee, vraag of probleem!

2. Ga op onderzoek uit. Wees nieuwsgierig!

3. Genoeg is genoeg. Weet wanneer je klaar bent. Je kan zoeken tot je dood en nog niet klaar zijn.

4. Maak een metafoor van het idee, vraag of probleem. Visualiseer.

5. Aha moment. Het moment van vertrouwen in het idee.

6. Aan de slag. Handel zonder angst, maak fouten! Deel de uitkomst.

7. Test, wees kritisch, deel het met de wereld.

CHALLENGE 2 | DAY 5 | All about creativity

6 januari '14

All about mind tools!

The concept fan
Steesd een stap terug zetten en je blikveld verbreden. Daar komt het simpelweg op neer. Je hebt een groot probleem. Uit welke onderdelen bestaat dit probleem?
Elke onderdeel kan weer uit verschillende onderdelen bestaan. Zo ga je door en kun je uiteindelijk tot hapklare brokken komen om aan te pakken!

De zes denkhoeden

Witte hoed	kale feiten en cijfers	Je gaat uit van objectieve informatie.
Rode hoed	gevoel en intuïtie	Je reageert emotioneel (zonder een reden te hoeven geven).
Zwarte hoed	negatief / pessimistisch	Je bent advocaat van de duivel.
Gele hoed	positief / optimistisch	Je bekijkt het van de zonnige kant en zoekt naar de voordelen.
Groene hoed	creatief	Je mag freewheelen in je manier van denken (vrij associëren, alternatieven bedenken).
Blauwe hoed	beschouwend, controlerend	Je houdt het proces in de gaten.

De zes denkhoeden van E. de Bono.

Bekijk en bespreek problemen letterlijk of figuurlijk, met een gekleurde hoed op. Deze methode creëert een gedwongen verandering van perspectief. Elke hoed geeft een voorzet in denkrichting.

Bronnen:
+www.mindtools.com
+www.toolkitforthinking.com

CHALLENGE 2 | DAY 1 | All about creativity

2 januari ’14 

Wauw, dit is leuk zeg ! Net een uur bezig geweest met alleen het onderwerp creativiteit. Wat kun je veel leren in een uur? Ik heb veel ontdekt en graag vertel ik je dit.

Voor creativeit zijn 5 ingredienten cruciaal (volgens John Cleese)

    1.  Ruimte            Ongestoord, eigen ruimte, Oase van stilte

    2.    Tijd                 Afgebakend, duidelijk start&stop, 1,5 uur | break | 1,5 uur

    3.   Tijd                 Benut de bedenktijd maximaal. Voor optimale originaliteit

    4.   Zelfvertrouwen Openheid tot alles wat kan gebeuren

    5.   Humor            Een essentieel onderdeel voor spontaniteit en “play”

Wees vooral nieuwsgierig! Wanneer je in groepen aan het werk gaat, zorg er altijd voor dat je dit doet met mensen die je leuk vindt maar vooral vertrouwt!

Closed mind vs. Open mind

Wanneer we in een werk modus zitten, met focus, doelgericht, vaak spanning, stress misschien zelfs. Iedereen kent het wel. Een modus van moeten die we kunnen bestempelen als de closed mindset. In deze mindset is geen ruimte voor creativiteit. Het is geen knopje wat je kan aanzetten.

Creativiteit onstaat in de open mindset en deze creeer je door mideel van de 5 gegeven factoren eerder.

- Creativiteit heeft niks met IQ te maken.

- Creativiteit is niet een talent maar een manier van werken.

- Creativiteit is niet mogelijk in de gesloten modus.

 Johan Huizinga:

“Play is distinct from ordinary life, both as to locality and duration. This is it’s main characteristic, it’s secludedness, it’s limitlesness. Play begins, and at a certain moment it is over. Otherwise it’s not play.”

Alan Watts:

“ You can’t be spontaneous within reason”

  

Bron