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What's Your Biggest Problem?

Do you really understand your biggest problem? What are you doing to solve it? Who else can you ask for help? Understanding is a critical first step to solving difficult problems. Moving too fast can lead to solving the wrong problem and complicating (or even over-simplifying) your situation.  Take the time to understand your biggest problem, and then seek the help you need. What is your biggest problem? -- Doug Smith

No Permanent Solutions Hurt People

Problems are often solved temporarily. Permanent solutions are hard to find, because there are so many factors to consider. People, for instance. If you solve a problem, yet hurt some one in the process (physically, mentally, or financially) you haven't really solved the problem -- you've just pushed it to a more dangerous level. There are NO permanent solutions that hurt people. If it hurts someone, the solution is a problem in itself. Are you considering everyone in your problem solving? Are your solutions injury-free? --Doug Smith

Back In Time?

Do you ever daydream about the past? How you would have done some things differently? If you could go back in time would you be the same person you are today? Of course, we can't go back in time, but we can learn from it. Things that we would change point in directions we might want to consider for now. People we might have offended may still be waiting for our amends. Opportunities we may have squandered might still be there -- or might beckon us toward new opportunities we have been missing. We don't need to regret what we missed. There's so much good that's still ahead of us. What have you learned from your past experiences? -- Doug Smith

Goals Don't Respond to Excuses

Where would you be if it weren't for your excuses? Could it be that you would have achieved more? Could it be that some of those elusive goals would not have been so elusive? There's no sense in pointing fingers. I know I've dropped a few excuses when lifting the weight would have been more effective. Let's just agree not to make any more excuses, OK? Goals don't respond to excuses. It takes our actions. It takes our persistence. It takes our courage and creativity. But not excuses. We'll all go farther without those silly things, don't you think? -- Douglas Brent Smith

Creative Focus: Figure/Ground

A learning activity from the program "Developing Creativity" Purpose : Make a point by clearly creating a collage with a figure (point of focus) and a ground (background). Build a sense of artistic perspective. Practice shifting fields to create flexibility and possibilities. Arts concept : Figure/Ground Materials : Magazines, paper, glue, scissors, pictures. Process: In art, the concept of figure/ground refers to a way of looking at a piece so that part of the picture is the main focal point while the rest is the field or background. In some famous optical illusion pieces the figure andP field can shift creating the se nse of illusion. Here’s what to do: 1. Gather a set of collage materials. 2. Cut shapes and pictures as you think about a theme. (your theme could be your topic or part of your program/event topic, or the participants could select one such as building relationships, solving problems, leading effectively, staying positive, devel

Creative Problem Solving: Certainties

A creative problem solving activity. Purpose: Create deep conversations around perceived truths. Materials:  Talking stick or microphone. Seating:  Circle Process: As we travel thru life we learn a few things. Things we were once certain about change and feel less certain. Things we did not believe or know emerge as our new truth. Do you believe in lasting truth? Do you hold a few beliefs that you feel will stand the test of time? Follow the CLUES for Success guidelines and when it is your turn, share 3 to 5 beliefs that you think are certain. Options: To prime the pump, share some “certainties” from others in short phrases or quotes. Some  examples: (Doug’s list) • The truth will always bubble to the top. • God is love. • Everything is personal. • Nothing is ever off-the-record. Expand: A. Use recording equipment to create a visual record of people providing their wisdom. As a group, edit and produce a film. B. Play with figure/ground con

Improv Bootcamp Coming to Denver

No boots required! Join us for a fun filled, game driven, community building weekend of improvisation. You will work and play with an improv coach and a group of people ready to take your talent to the next level via improvisation. Build your acting skills, practice your creativity, and develop new ways of expressing yourself in group settings. Using a wide variety of improv games, expert coaching, and acting exercises you’ll be able to: §   Explore and practice improvisational basics §   Develop a “where” a “why” and a “who” inside a scene §   Build your self-confidence §   Improve how you work with other people §   Create fun and collaborative stage environments §   Develop believable characters §   Increase your on stage energy §   Learn the basic techniques of improvisation §   Stop going for the laugh and get more laughs §   Practice the art of instant drama Camp runs from 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm Friday, and 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Saturday. Light r