Creative Alert: Obsessively Detailed People Will Kill You
“Anal Retentive” – bear with me here, and just check the dictionary or Wikipedia. It’s a person who’s attention to detail becomes obsessive. Trust me, you’ll encounter these people sooner or later in your work. It’s the person who is a slave to policy. He’d rather the organization fail, than actually bend the rules. I’ve met hundreds of them, and they’re the people who speak up after you’ve produced a successful project to “remind” you that Read the full article »
EPISODE 58 IS YOUR MESSAGE CUSTOMIZED FOR INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCES?
Download episode 58 Is Your Message Customized for International Audiences? (13MB)
What Phil learned from publishing “Jolt!” in China and how that experience can help you understand the importance of being culturally sensitive with your message.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Media People: Stop Using “Compilation” Reels to Showcase Your Work
OK – producers, directors, editors, camera people, and everyone else in the film, TV, or media business. Stop producing demo reels of compiled shots of your work edited to a hip, cool song. I’m not impressed, and here’s why: Read the full article »
A Saved Turkey is Still a Turkey
When people have a dramatic salvation experience and step into the Christian faith, we often expect an immediate, corresponding dramatic change in behavior. After all, according to scripture, they’re “new creatures” right? But time after time, we don’t see that immediate change, and as a result, get frustrated and often just give up on them – or worse, Read the full article »
Is Your Office Inspiring?
You spend at least a third of your life there. You’re there for most waking hours. It’s where you work most closely with other people. And yet, it looks plain, uninspiring, and probably outright depressing. Your surroundings have more of an impact on your creativity and productivity than you may think. That’s why you need to be more intentional about your Read the full article »
Uncreative People Can Be Extremists
First of all, I believe all people are capable of being creative. Don’t believe me? Just check out a kindergarten class. Who’s not creative in that bunch? We’re all born creative, but somewhere along the line, some people choose to follow a different path. Which is why I believe you’re either a person who doesn’t realize how creative you could be, or a person who chooses to be uncreative. And in some cases, some choose to be Read the full article »
Great Ideas Don’t Happen Without Controversy
Trust me on this – in the vast majority of cases, the minute you come up with a great idea, someone will try to shoot it down. Maybe it’s a “devil’s advocate” who tries to look like a hero for punching holes in your concept. Or maybe it’s just a jerk who realizes that the only way to get noticed is to criticize someone else’s idea. Either way – if your idea is really good, it will Read the full article »
Stop Listening to the “Devil’s Advocate”
In every creative or leadership meeting there’s a “devil’s advocate.” No matter how great your idea, there’s always someone who pops in with “Let me just play the devil’s advocate for a minute…” And then proceeds to trash your concept. This will be a short blog, because here’s your answer: Read the full article »
What’s The Future of Television for Sharing the Christian Message?
Recently I was interviewed by Charisma magazine on the relevance of using television as a tool for sharing the Christian message. In a world where most churches, ministries, and nonprofits are moving to the Internet, why think about TV anymore? I thought you might be interested in my answers. Let me know what you think: Read the full article »
Stop Blaming Everyone Else. Your Future is In Your Hands
I worry that we live in a culture today where growing numbers of people look outside themselves for success. And when they fail, it’s always someone else’s fault. But the government, your parents, your education, and your job aren’t the key to your success – you are. Whenever I feel my dreams losing steam, I always think of Booker T. Washington. Born a slave in 1858, his childhood years were anything but pleasant. The family’s farm cabin had no glass windows, and any opening to let in light also let in the freezing wind in the winter. The floor of the cabin was dirt. The life of slave was Read the full article »
