Imitation is the Sincerest Form Of Learning

Imitators are often viewed as inferior, lacking in creativity. Not so fast. Good imitators are worthy in themselves, and imitation is usually prerequisite to good creativity. Imitate the masters and that becomes suffused into your creativity. Imitation is also a good way to learn the basics. I offer examples in my Psychology Today article today.

Productive Escapism

Do you feel trapped? Perhaps in your thinking? In your life? Do you worry about something you can do nothing about?  Or could you merely use a brief flight from mundanity?

Even the most practical, achievement-oriented person can benefit from brief escapes. They can not only rejuvenate but inspire to less conventional approaches to tasks, even enhance overall achievement. At minimum, such forays can expand us from the quotidian. The mind lives better when it makes room for more than our daily routine.

My Psychology Today article today offers a number of escapist opportunities.

How I've Come Up With a Topic to Write About for 932 Days in a Row

I've now posted an article on PsychologyToday.com for 932 days in a row. 
A friend asked me how I can keep coming up with topics.  I thought you might find the answer of value. After all, everyone has to keep coming up with topics: when you're with friends, romantic partners, roommates, coworkers, etc.

In my PsychologyToday.com article today, I list tactics that might apply to non-writers and writers alike.

My Last Lecture

A Carnegie Mellon professor, dying of cancer, gave this last lecture.

Here's the essence of what mine would be:

1. Get good at something and then work long hours at it. The extra work hours will be more rewarding to you and to the world than a round of golf, shopping with a friend, playing Monopoly with your family, or getting on a plane to go to your nephew's bar mitzvah.

2. Champion something that most people don't. I'm pro-choice, but so are zillions of other people. My efforts there would be a drop of water in an ocean. In contrast, today, no one seems to care about intellectually gifted kids, especially boys, in our public schools. When I champion their right to get an appropriate-leveled education I feel my efforts matter.

3. Do something very creative--as a hobby. Creative pursuits usually pay terribly. Doing your creative outlet as a hobby allows you to derive most of the pleasure without having to take a vow of poverty.

4. Be nice.

5. Never look back; always look forward. I asked my father why he never talks about the Holocaust. He said, "The Nazis took five years from my life. I won't give them one minute more. Martin, never look back; always look forward."