It feels a little like waking up from an extended sleep, but we’re back from the holiday break and back in the saddle again. [Cue the cowboy music] There’s a lot happening in AC world over the next few weeks, and we’ll be sharing more info as we can. The most exciting thing for us is the upcoming launch of our first product to help creative people structure thought and generate more (and better!) ideas. It’s based on the natural rhythms of the creative process and is designed to provide focused, effective personal (or team) ideation time. More to come in a few days.
Shortly before break I tweeted a few times about an interview that AC Collective member riCardo Crespo did with Jeni Herberger. It was a very thought-provoking session. The most interesting thing to me personally was riCardo’s advice that the role of a Creative Director is to get the right people in the right place working on the right thing, then get out of the way. That’s a difficult thing to do in today’s “hey! look at me!” climate, but I thought the advice was stellar. In some ways, it often seems that the role of a good creative leader is to work their way out of a job. Again, it’s a little difficult to think about a leadership role in this way, but taken to its logical end it seems to be the most effective way of operating. Set rails, re-direct as necessary, but do not obstruct.
This week’s AC Engage podcasts (formerly AC Premium) discuss the importance of pause in our life and establishing practices around breaks, ebb and flow. If we want to align ourselves with the natural rhythms of the creative process we must take into account the back and forth of intensity and rest, engagement and absence. I’d challenge you to think about how you are structuring rhythm into your life in 2010. (That's what I'm working on in new ways.) What would it look like for you to build periods of intense work and alternating rest into your daily/weekly/monthly life? How would you do it?
More than anything, I’m excited about what 2010 holds for the AC community and for all of the people and teams we serve. Thanks for hanging around. It’s great to be creating with you!
