In response to another post idea I had (coming up soon) I received a response from Dr. Susan Biali. Part of her answer interested me, she briefly mentioned that she quit her “normal” job in order to pursue the “I’ve always wanted to do this” ache in the back of her mind. We exchanged some emails and now we have this post. Dr. Biali’s story is one of encouragement and challenge but most of all can be applied by you no matter what your creative idea is -even if it is not art oriented.

Dr. Biali: If you’d asked me, when I was eight years old, what I was going to be when I grew up, I would have answered instantly, and confidently: “I’m going to be dancing on TV one day- as a Solid Gold Dancer!”.  I also would have told you that I’d probably have a day job as a writer or reporter.  I was obsessed with dance, music, and other creative pursuits as a child and “practiced” incessantly until, from about the age of ten onwards, the adults around me (parents and teachers) made it clear that creative endeavours weren’t practical, and that I should focus the majority of my efforts on my academic/intellectual gifts, following the traditional path towards “success”.  I abandoned my dreams of becoming a performing artist and writer, and eventually became a doctor,  instead.  A profoundly unhappy doctor.

In the second year of my Emergency Medicine residency, my depression became so profound that I couldn’t function anymore, and I considered ending my life.  Nothing about my life inspired or fulfilled me, so I simply couldn’t see why I should go on.  My superiors noticed how much trouble I was having, and offered me a stress leave.  I went by myself to Cuba, and one night, as I watched a spectacular Cuban salsa dance team performing on stage, I suddenly remembered who I really was.  While in Cuba, I also was shocked to find myself writing in my journal: “I want to be a writer”.  I didn’t know where that impulse had come from, or how it would be possible, but I knew it to be true.

I was terrified by the changes that I felt coming in my life, and it took an enormous amount of courage to step down from the prestigious residency training position that I’d worked so hard to “win”.  Yet, I knew that I had to either create a life that meant something to me, or lose my life entirely.

I resigned from my residency, and signed up for my first salsa dance lesson.  Over the next few years, I kept amping up my commitment to my life as an artist (dancer, writer and photographer).  I became a professional salsa dancer, professional flamenco dancer, and a professional freelance writer and photographer.  Eventually I moved to Mexico to be able to pursue these almost full-time (while I’d been developing my artistic self, I’d been working part-time in medical clinics, as my “day job”).

People approved of me signing up for dance classes (”how fun!”), but the more serious I got about my non-medical pursuits, the more everyone around me worried and told me that I was making a major mistake.  When I first moved to Mexico to dance, I would fly up every 6 weeks to Canada for a couple of weeks, staying in a suite at my parent’s house,to make some extra money in the clinics.   When my parents realized that this new career in the arts wasn’t just a “phase”, they decided to cut me off, and said I couldn’t stay in their house anymore.  It seemed that every time I committed more to my creative life, it required more and more courage in the face of others’ doubts, and the changes and challenges that resulted in my life.  Yet the sacrifices, sweat and tears were always worth it in the end.

Note by Gary: I find interesting that Dr. Biali doesn’t mention her doubts, but other peoples doubts. As I get older I realize how much of my life is not paid for by others opinions on how I should live.

Gary: I’m also interested in your dividing medicine as not a “creative” outlet. Can you tell me more about how you see the differences.

Dr. Biali: “Creative” to me means freedom and beauty - dancing, music, freedom of  expression, joy, miracles, fulfillment.  As a doctor, I’m limited by standard “approved” diagnostic and treatment protocols, and having to approach problems from a rational, logical perspective.  When I’m pursuing my artistic passions, anything is possible and everything goes.  I’m free to be me, without risk of judgment or penalty.  Medical doctors are expected to follow a strict code of conduct and practice.

There are potentially creative ways of interacting with patients (for example, I like to talk about mind-body causes of illness, and the way that the body uses symptoms and disease to tell us if we’re off our path in life).  However, as a creative being I feel severely limited within the constraints of government-regulated, traditional medicine.

Also, my creative gifts are clearly within the arts - dancing, writing, singing, storytelling, photography. There are some physicians who may be creatively gifted within medicine - coming up with innovative new treatments or theories, creating new surgical techniques, performing the artistry of plastic surgery, etc.  Such physicians may well feel creatively fulfilled within the practice of medicine.

When I practice traditional medicine, I literally feel like the creative soul that is my lifeblood is dying.  I’m clearly meant to do other things.  When I follow my creative impulses and joys, everything works.  When I try to be a traditional doctor, I feel flat and frustrated, and get physically sick.

Note from Gary: I can relate to feeling sick about a job. I’m almost always willing to try things but I’ve had jobs that literally made me sick and depressed. I think the reason for many illness’ today is due to people not following their dreams. Take heed to Dr. Biali’s story, life has a whole different look when you chase that Idea Ache in the back of your head …who cares if it is not the next million dollar idea!

You can reach Dr. Biali at:

Dr. Susan Biali, B.Sc. (Dietetics), M.D.
Health & Wellness Expert, Life Coach, Speaker & Flamenco Dancer
www.susanbiali.com

http://bit.ly/upIZ
I was reading about Amazon’s press release that they’ve had their best day ever. They did not clarify what that meant. But it got me to thinking. Almost every other retailer out there is whining about sales.

• Is this Amazon’s way of putting on a bold face against the bad News mantra of the media?

• Is Amazon simply selling a $1.00 for ¢.99 and claiming victory on “revenue?”

• If Amazon really did have a profitable holiday, what does this mean for marketing for the coming year? -will we see more push from brick and mortar stores for us to go online? And will that mean more store closings?

• I’m an author http://tinyurl.com/Unger-Amazon can I claim the reason for Amazon’s good news? -Just kidding. But Amazon was built on books. Does this mean more people are making their entertainment dollar stretch by staying home and reading, so product marketers will have to reach into the home even more …like online marketing and email?

How creative will marketers have to get?

Top Ten Ways to Get a Job -by Gary Unger

1. Submit your resume blindly like everyone else.
2. Fill out the application just like everyone else.
3. A little beyond-belief-over-exaggeration never hurt anyone.
4. Take no for an answer.
5. Believe the interviewer really wants you to get the job.
6. Pass up opportunities to network.
7. Jargon sells ‘em every time.
8. Double spacing on your resume replaces effort.
9. Fax, email, mail and hand deliver your same resume
   to get noticed.
10. If you don’t understand sarcasm, repeat items 1 through 9.

I’m in the process of writing a couple of upcoming blog posts and in between gathering the info and actually writing them I’ve signed up with some lesser known social networking sites. Maybe it’s just me, but does anyone else have a hard time trying to figure out how to navigate some of these sites. I was on one that I couldn’t find the “home” button. Seriously kids, it wasn’t on any of the pages after I signed up and uploaded the profile. It had a button to add people but when I went to their profile to add them I couldn’t navigate home with a single click.

Another site literally just dropped me in the middle of the site and pretty much said “figure it out yourself.” Its like the people who create these sites assume their mind can be read. No wonder so many of these sites die off quickly. It’s not because other sites were more popular or “cooler,” its likely because people could navigate the site. Now I understand that sometimes things get looked over, but come on. Imagine you are traveling and decide to stay in a non-scheduled hotel for the night. You go in, the clerk takes your name and information and then leaves. No room key, no directions to a room, no bell hop to carry your bags, no one to explain how things work. Or even a where or why of the hotel. How long would you stay there?

Anyway, just a rant while I’m doing the fun stuff of being a writer, blogger, TV host……

Publicity is always great to get, and having great reviews is always a good ego booster. Sometimes accolades come from out of the blue. Those are the ones I really like, especially when they were not sought out. Here’s one that I’m more than happy to share with you (ok, I’m happy to share any good review). I sent Scott a book with the intention of doing some business together and after a bit I had asked him what he thought of the book …even though the book is widely praised, it still makes me nervous. A day or two later, he sent me this email and he agreed to let me share it with you:

Hi Gary,

“How to be a Creative Genius” is like a fine wine such that one does not absorb all of the flavors and aromas in one sip. In order to fully appreciate the value and subtleties of the book, one should read it more than one time to discover the different layers of insights, and to allow oneself time for reflection. There is something to offer for anyone regardless of where they are on the spectrum of thinking creatively.

For those who already exhibit typical creative traits, they will discover 2 aspects to reflect on. One aspect is new concepts for stretching the ways one thinks creatively as the book is a stimulus for trying out new ways of being creative. The second aspect is found in the wisdom from the DeFactos, and the realism that creativity just doesn’t happen. It takes effort and even a certain type of discipline.

For those whose creativity is constrained and needs to be unleashed, they too will find value and even an optimistic perspective that they too can think creatively. The book provides many humorous and practical insights into how anyone can think creatively, should they choose to. If one is looking for a breakthrough in thinking more creatively, than this is a great book to accelerate that transformation.

The first time through for me I was laughing at the sarcasm and humor. I think it would be a hoot to read parts of this with a group of people over some drinks. Kind of like rehashing funny lines from a favorite sitcom with friends. I also found myself relating to many of the checklist items and either saying, “Yea, I do that”, or “No, I don’t do that, and maybe I should be.” That’s where some self-reflection comes into play.

The second time through, I was “looking” for more practical value, and that’s when the DeFactos jumped out at me much more so than the first read. The wisdom of the DeFactos are both fundamental and profound at the same time, and it would behoove any creative thinking person to adopt these guiding principles. I also paid more attention to some of the other profound statements declared in the checklist items, and I took more time to reflect on them for some self discovery.

The bottom line is that I enjoyed the book, and I envision picking it up to read again in the future to reinforce components and to discover even more insights.

…
Best regards,
Scott

So there you have it. Reader experience. …and you have bought your book too?

Sometimes you don’t know what to do, people send you all these great ideas, inventions, games and more for your TV show, but you can’t feature all of them in one show. And so far as I can tell the future, I’ve only got one shot at a pilot and I’ve got to be exceedingly ruthless in deciding what to feature. The fine people over at Dance-opoly sent me their game for potential feature on my show, and I’m disappointed in having to not choose them. I had to pass on them, not because it is a bad product or idea, but mostly because they are too far out of my area to bring them in (I’d have to pay the bill), plus I’d have more than likely wanted to talk forever on merging the familiar game of Monopoly with the Dance industry. I’m always for merging ideas together to not only get started but to potentially start a whole new genre that no one else considered.

Before some of my readers object to the Dance-opoly game not being fully original, I’d say you did not read my book. Creativity is not about “being original” all the time every time. Besides that… well, you’ll just have to get the book. So hold your disdain and listen. Dance-opoly stood on the foundations of another idea/game and transformed it to relate to a market that they love -Dance. Game flow wise this was a good idea, it gave them a starting place to invent their own. Their whole idea was to take as many aspects of dance, dance genre’s and dance business and have fun. My two young girls are not into dancing but they love the game. They have fun. So Dance-opoly accomplished its goal. The game creator did an excellent job at putting her own twist on everything about this game from the graphics to the cards, play pieces and the board. Great job all around. With this much energy and thought, the next game or idea that Steve and Dana Notario comes up with will likely have even more depth and creative devices. -If you have a “dancer” in your family, I recommend you get this game its not only fun it teaches too.

Elizabeth Barry, the Marketing Director tells me that for 2008 and 2009 there are 1,000 Golden Tickets (Willy Wonka style) inside special game boxes with special prizes and offers from major sponsors. There will be 35 Grand Prize Winners for the Golden Ticket promotion, see their site for more of those details.  … It’s Christmas and more for the same price or less is even better.

You can get the game or contact them here:
www.danceopoly.com
www.DanceWorldGotGame.com

Had a great time with Mike on this interview.