Idea Resources

Although the goal of making as much money as possible is tempting (especially considering my impoverished upbringing), it’s not the goal I’m after. I want to increase creativity, diversity and the proliferation of ideas. I want to help people move in brave new directions, but I always want to help people learn to create new directions for themselves — and so a resource page seemed like a grand idea. Here are the resources I have loved and cherished over the last few years that have been instrumental in getting me to where I am; I expect them to continue to prove essential in getting me to where I want to be!

Exercise Your Idea Muscles!

Lumosity Brain Games
I discovered Lumosity ages ago. When I started building That Idea Blueprint Girl, it was one of the first things I thought of. Brain games are incredibly valuable to me, because everything I do (writing, design, all of it) really just comes down to being able to think and create. Any method I can find of effectively exercising those muscles means rejuvenation for the skills that keep me in business, and Lumosity is it. They’ve improved light years since I first discovered them, and they have an unbelievable number of brain games set up. The cost of a subscription is nothing compared to the exercise and good feeling I get out of using the site. When I spend time here, I feel like I’m engaging in productive relaxation. I love productive relaxation. If you feel like you want to improve everything about the way your brain works, this site is it.

Shiva Nata (Dance of Shiva)
Shiva Nata is another of my favorite ways to exercise my brain. It feels to me a lot like Tai Chi or Yoga, except with a big twist. The more I do this, the more unexpected inspiration pops into my head — I know it sounds crazy, but it’s true (and anyone else who practices Shiva Nata will back me up). If you want to take a look at Shiva Nata and find out more about, take a look at Havi Brooks’ Shiva Nata information page.

More games — can you tell I love games?
A wonderful friend introduced me to a game called SET where you have to find unorthodox patterns in shapes, colors, and varieties of shading. You can pick it up on Amazon here and it’s simply fantastic. And hard! (For me, anyway — until I get better at it!) It was so exciting to stumble on a great brain game completely by accident!

Creative Inspiration (and Implementation)

Seth Godin
Seth Godin’s work is absolutely one of the big reasons I do what I do. Reading his blog and published books has been the impetus and inspiration many of my craziest ideas and most determined projects, That Idea Blueprint Girl included. After all, when I got chosen to interview for Seth’s Alternative MBA program in New York — but didn’t make the final cut — I had to do something spectacular. This website is a very small part of that something. ;}

Charlie Gilkey’s Productive Flourishing
Charlie Gilkey of Productive Flourishing is this insane bastion of productivity fu. I don’t know where this guy gets his mojo, but it is good stuff. If you’re creating and you need crazyass advice, insight, encouragement and/or ongoing asskickery, Charlie is it. You can read about hiring him here.

Naomi Dunford’s IttyBiz Resources
I have been pretty thoroughly impressed with everything Naomi Dunford’s released into the wild. That includes but is not limited to Ninja SEO School, Online Business School, and especially the IttyBiz Speakeasy. (That last is closed as of May, which is very sad, but all the more reason you should buy some of her other shit while you still have time.)

Pace & Kyeli Smith
I’ve known Pace and Kyeli for a long time (in internet years) and I am constantly impressed with their very unique ways of looking at problems. Pace can think her way around a problem the size of a football field in 2.8 seconds (probably less) and Kyeli brings an incredible level of compassion and understanding to the situations she encounters. These gals are the driving force behind the Freak Revolution, and in that we seem to have common priorities: Connection, Diversity, and Change. I definitely recommend their blog at Freak Revolution, and their original book on communication techniques, The Usual Error. Their mission is to build a safe community for freaky people everywhere and create real change in the world by teaching personal growth, communication and empowerment — it’s good stuff. You can read more about getting their help right here.

Supportive Environments for Change

Seth Godin’s Triiibes
I credit Triiibes with being one of the great motivating elements of my life in the last few years — and I have to say, there’s nothing quite like it. It, too, is closed (though I highly, highly suggest picking up a copy of the book — it will blow your mind. It totally blew mine. (And if I were you, I’d read Seth’s blog, too.)

Todd McCaffrey’s BigEep
Todd McCaffrey recently started a community for big ideas called BigEep. As of this addition it’s still a young project, but it looks very promising and exciting, especially if you’re science-minded. If you’re looking for a supportive community who loves getting excited about great ideas, you might give this one a try.

The Freak Revolution Coffee House
The Coffee House is also a relatively new addition to the change-osphere, but it has tremendous potential for getting crazy-thinkin’ people of all stripes talking to each other and making things happen. The vibe is very friendly and full of good mojo, and it’s a great place to challenge yourself and open your mind to new ideas. You have to apply for membership, but if you think you’re freak enough to give it a try, here’s more information on how to apply. (Don’t underestimate yourself, either!)

Books, Blogs & Reading Material

Bob Poole
If you’re looking for good hearts and creative brains, it’s really hard to top Bob Poole. He wrote a fantastic book called Listen First – Sell Later (that I edited, by the way, so it’s got to be good) and he updates his blog at Poole’s Water Cooler Hangout just about every day. I’ve written about him a bunch of times because his motivation in life is so appealing to me — Real People, trust in business and personal relationships, actually listening to those you interact with and connection as a prevailing principle. He is a truly Good Guy ™ and I highly recommend everything he writes.

Charlie Gilkey
As mentioned before — and worth mentioning again — Charlie keeps a great blog at Productive Flourishing about creative productivity across the board. He also may or may not be writing an ebook, so I’d keep an eye out for that. Read Charlie’s work for ways to organize and motivate yourself towards acting on ideas that make a difference.

Benjamin & Rosamund Zander
The Zanders wrote an amazing book called The Art of Possibility — and I think it’s one of those books that everyone should read at least once (or twice, or more).

Angela Lussier’s Anti-Resume Revolution
Angela Lussier has put together an amazing book on building yourself a truly remarkable career, no matter where you’re starting. Her book is super down-to-earth and very accessible, and you don’t have to worry about how much experience you have, or whether or not you have a plan — Angela will help you. Even better? She tells you exactly how she put it together. Check out The Anti-Resume Revolution right here.

Got an idea? Something we haven't thought of? Whatever you're thinking, we want to hear it. Please feel free to leave comments or email Megan M. by clicking here.