The Idea Midwife

Have a Wonder-filled Christmas!

Catching snowflakes on your tongue. Flopping into a drift and creating a perfect snow angel. Seeing how long you enjoy a candy cane, without biting. Decorating cookies for Santa and putting out carrots for the reindeer. Hot cocoa with marshmallow's melted just right. Total trust in the power of love and belief (remember Charlie Brown's Christmas Tree? And the Grinch’s expanding heart? And the toys rescued from the Island of Misfit Toys because of Rudolph's "non-conformity.")

This holiday season, I wish for you the gift of seeing again with the eyes of a child. What if...you shifted from being busy, with so much to do and were instead compelled by wonder. Today forget what you know and let yourself navigate by your curiosity. Let go of expectations and give yourself the freedom to play and discover. Expect miracles. Snuggle up for story time. Delight in anticipation. Create new worlds. Giggle. Giggle some more. If you've forgotten how, put your heart in the hands of a small child. They will lead the way. Clap your hands if you believe... What's that? On the rooftop! Do you hear it?

Why You Shouldn't Leave the Cat in Charge of Your Marketing - Part 2

In Part 1, I explored one cat's approach to marketing (attracting sustenance). Now in Part 2, we'll consider how Kramer, my other furry guru, manages his approach to getting what he needs; and once again there are lots of parallels to marketing strategies.

As a reminder, for this exploration, consider food and attention (sustenance) as the equivalent of sales/income (sustenance). Kramer's actions and antics are his marketing strategy and tactics. I am the Customer because I have the sustenance and Kramer wants some. He really wants some. 

Unlike his buddy, Norton, Kramer tends toward a more sleek and sophisticated style, but he is not af raid to flaunt his quirks. He can be a kind of "outside the box" guy (literally, but we don't need to go there.) And even more so then Norton, Kramer is perfectly content to ignore the Customer until he needs sustenance. In fact, he sets a whole new standard on what it means to ignore the Customer.

The foundation of Kramer's marketing strategy is quid pro quo...I'll do something for you, you give me food. And he has two categories of "something" that he gives in order to gain: entertainment and gifts with intention.  Here's how it starts...

I Don't Want To And You Can't Make Me!

My inner 5 year old is pitching a fit. You see, we made a writing playdate with a treasured colleague, because we want to write. A lot. Regularly. Because we've got a lot to say. And we think, with some humility, that maybe some of it will be valuable for others (maybe even you) to read. And we truly hate to deprive you of anything. 'Cuz we really like you.

 And now, my ornery inner kid is working up to a temper tantrum because, while she loves to do many, many things, she hates to "have to" do anything. (She is completely done with being a "good girl"). And it seems that once something gets on the calendar and begins to approximate a "practice" or (gasp) a "discipline," (No, not that! Anything but that!) she wants no part of it. Even if it is something she loves more than a freshly opened box of Crayola^tm crayons. (Exasperated sigh).

So today I give in to the truth that "I don't want to and you can't make me!" and meet it with curiosity rather than force or denial.