Andrew Zahn

Dream Job Day Job Dojo

What’s your dream job?

If you could do anything you wanted, what would it be?

What’s keeping you from fulfilling your dream job?

It’s seems all the rage to talk about day jobs and dream jobs.

It’s a great discussion and I’m so glad people are discovering passions, dreams, and purpose. I love the whole Quitter thing (read more about it here), the ‘chase your dream’ mantra, and working hard to achieve a goal.

But there’s something in the word ‘dream’ that might need clarification. Continue reading “Dream Job Day Job Dojo”

Your Creative Spirit

No Tie For Daddy: Creative Father’s Day Gifts

A Trooper in the air — Creative Father's Day Gifts

I bought the card.

I shopped online.

And still I think he’d be happy with a box of Little Debbie Nutty Bars after all is said and done. And yes, one year, that was his gift. And he loved it.

With Father’s Day just around the corner, I realize many of us want something different, something left-field, something beyond cologne, neckties, and renewals to Golf Digest.

Whilst shopping around online, I stumbled across some creative Father’s Day gifts that might help you shave a few minutes off your search.

Or just give you a laugh. Continue reading “No Tie For Daddy: Creative Father’s Day Gifts”

Ideation Marriage Vows: Brainstorming Tips You Can Use Now

ideation – īdēˈāSHən – noun

“The formation of ideas or concepts.”

[box options]In a post a few weeks ago I asked you, awesome readers, what post in my drafts folder you’d like to see materialize into a full blown post. You voted via your comments, and Why Men Make Breakfast got top honors.

A few runner-ups also peaked your interest along with a post originally titled “Ideation Marriage Vows.” So here she is, your requested post on ideas and marriage.[/box]

What is Ideation?

It’s the exciting part of creativity. You know what I’m talking about. It’s the part that is mostly fun, little work and gives you a rush.

Ideation is brainstorming.
Ideation is collaboration.
Ideation is free form creativity.

Everyone wants the idea. Few want to work it out.

I’m fascinated with ideas, creativity and the process of bringing an idea or concept into a tangible form. It’s intriguing that as I sit here, my brain has things it wants to say, it forms those ideas into words, and my fingers put in on the screen in front of me.

“But what if it’s a bad idea?” you might say.

To which I might respond: how do you know it’s a bad idea? Continue reading “Ideation Marriage Vows: Brainstorming Tips You Can Use Now”

Slay the Critic

I’ve been posting on this blog three times a week since September 2011. I’ve talked about artists with day jobs, creativity comfort zones, and lip syncing at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

But I often sit down and see all the white on this page…

Edit Post ‹ Creatives — WordPress — Daunting Blank Page

And that’s a bit scary.

Have you felt this way?

We get down to our creative work and we sometimes hear all this crap from ~~somewhere~~ someone inside us that says… Continue reading “Slay the Critic”

Your Creativity Matters Now

Jim Woods recently posted a short, thought-provoking post Is There Good Art and Bad Art.

It got me all riled up. Here’s how I responded to his post:

In a world of numb, art makes us feel and think. As to good or bad, it’s not a good question for art.

Art isn’t math. It’s not formulaic and simple.

It’s as complex as an emotion.

And are emotions good or bad?

It’s a discussion that could go on and on…

As creatives, we make people feel again.

We bring life to the lifeless.

We awaken thought to the thoughtless.

We kindle smoking embers in those who feel their dreams are dying.

Our efforts are good.

Your life, your creativity and your contributions matter. Continue reading “Your Creativity Matters Now”

Why You Need New Words Right Now

Rules help us with our creativity.

Does that sound like creativity heresy to have the word ‘rules’ and ‘creativity’ in the same sentence?

Earlier in the year my muse coughed up some commandments for creativity, which proved to be a popular post.

Yet I always balked at the word commandments even though it resonated with other creatives.

Embraced by Words — Robbert van der Steeg via Compfight

We need new words because we think in words.

Most of us, even visual learners, think in words.

Close your eyes. Listen to your thoughts. That self-talk is usually in words, not random images. Continue reading “Why You Need New Words Right Now”

Honor: Pass it On

Happy Memorial Day! We’ve so much to be thankful for, don’t we?

Granted, some of you are reading this post outside of the American boarders yet we all have one things in common: honor.

The following video was created by my pastor’s son Brandon Hess. He excellently communicates honor with pictures, music, and story. I know you’ll enjoy it. [box options]Share the honor by sharing this video by clicking one of the share options to the left. Happy Memorial Day![/box]

remembrance part 2: eternal thanks to those who served — Jack via Compfight

The Campaign for Real Life

[box options]You’re in for a treat today… from the UK! Today’s post is a guest post by Ayd Instone. Ayd is an international speaker, philosopher and entertainer on the subject of creativity. He’s the author of a number of books and writes regularly on his blog ‘Ding!’ When you’re done reading his post, head on over to his blog. [/box]

Instant coffee. Horrible and pointless. Someone has gone to a lot of trouble to make some coffee, boil off the water and freeze dry the gunk that’s left so you can pour hot water on it and have a horrible ‘instant’ cup of coffee.

‘Convenience’ they call it. Convenience foods – so you don’t have to cook, don’t have to chew (and with most, almost don’t even need to swallow). You don’t get any flavour, nutrients or vitamins but at least you didn’t have to do any work. God forbid you’d ever have to lift a finger.

For the past sixty years or so our society has been obsessed with convenience. We invented fast foods so you don’t have to wait and savour the anticipation. You can then eat in a rush, on the move, while you’re busy doing something else.

What exactly have you got to rush off and do? Everything has been made so convenient with all the enjoyment and experienced boiled and freeze dried out of life that there’s actually nothing worth rushing off for. Continue reading “The Campaign for Real Life”

All Grown Up – Seriously Creative

I have an awesome day job.

I still get to do acting gigs every couple months.

I’m a ‘responsible adult.’ But the words ‘responsible adult’ make my inner creative kiddo throw up in my mouth.

I don’t always feel grown up.

Remember watching The Dark Knight? The Batman movie starring the late Heath Ledger as The Joker in which he challenges a soon-to-be victim: “why so serious?” I’m taking the phrase of context, but I sometimes ask myself “why so serious, Andrew.” Or perhaps a better question might be “why so intense?” As an artist in an office, I still feel deeply. I’m still an artist even if I’m looking at an expense report, hosting a training class, or speaking with executives. Continue reading “All Grown Up – Seriously Creative”