Test Preparation Rituals....

Although I found humor in actually writing my test preparation rituals out, I swear they work for me. I usually wake up extra early (5:00am)... it might shock some but I am what you would call a "morning person." Once I am awake I make a cup of green tea to get myself going. Even though I cant listen to music while studying I do listen to HGTV at a low volume. It works for me because #1. its boring #2. no one ever yells on HGTV, the monotone voices are easy on the ears and #3. they never show anything shocking that might catch my eye. I  also like to light a candle because its calms me. I like Febreeze's Lavender Vanilla scented candle the most, it smells like peace. And finally, I like to write in a black Pilot .05 pen. It rolls so nicely on the paper and makes my hand writing look pretty and clean. Yes these rituals sound a bit odd, but they are proven to work... for me. And I'm not planning on changing them anytime soon.

How I am investing in myself....

There are many small ways that i feel i am making an investment in myself that will hopefully benefit me in the future. Since my career path is toward the creative side of advertising, i feel that its important to grasp as many different forms of creativity and views of creativity to create an open mind. So, this last year i picked up photography as a class/hobby. Not anything like taking a picture on my phone and using Instagram kind of photography, but a black and white 35mm film camera photography. At first i found it challenging to depict emotions or feelings through a lens when I'm so used to drawing but it has really pushed me to see different things, even such ordinary things in a different light. I think it really has expanded my knowledge and appreciation for different forms of creativity. Starting this new hobby has given me that extra push to get out and try new things that i wouldn't have even tried before. It showed me how important it is to always keep expanding and growing... you never know what you actually like until you try it.

Something forgotten and recently discovered...

Recently (meaning the past year) I have rediscovered my love/hate for journaling. When i was younger keeping a journal was tough, due to the fact that i was not good with writing daily entries. I wasnt and still am not a fan of writing. My sister has novels of her childhood years where as i have random entries... notes... and doodles. With this discouraging comparison i gave up journaling for good, until recently. I realized I didnt have to write novels and use it purely for "journaling" my life. Instead i have been keeping a journal filled with drawings, lyrics, inspiring quotes... this puts way less pressure on me for making daily entries and spelling every word correctly. Instead anytime I'm feeling inspired i can put it down on paper. Here are a few of the doodles: 

Is brainstorming becoming the new groupthink?

     I believe that brainstorming can become the new groupthink if its continues the way it is being used today. I think the most important aspect of brainstorming is balance. Balance of diversity, balance of people, balance of opinions, and most importantly balance of individual time. Its all about the balance. I agree that individuals can create great work on their own in a private setting, but i also think that group brainstorming sessions can be a huge benefit to enhance those ideas created individually. I understand how being put into groups of people and given a topic to brainstorm without any individual attention can inhibit peoples true ability to be creative, but if done correctly, i think that brainstorming can enhance ideas and create great things. And again its just all about the balance. But balancing a brainstorming group in a way that will be a benefit rather than a hinderance takes time and thought, and I'm sure not all the school teachers in America who are using brainstorming as their main method of teaching have the time to perfectly balance each group out. So with that said i believe brainstorming can become what is known as the new groupthink in time if we don't start using it properly. But i do not believe it can hurt everyone's creative ability. 

After taking the "Multiple Intelligences Test" i was not too surprised with the findings of my top threes intelligences. My highest scoring intelligence category was the "Spatial/Visual." I definitely do not disagree with this since I am a very visual person. I see pictures/scenes in my head with most everything I do from drawings, to music, to interior design. Basically anything and everything. My second highest scoring category was "Musical." Although I can only play one instrument and i dont even play it on a regular basis anymore I still consider myself very musically inclined. Music is a huge part of my life. It inspires me. If i actually had a life with large amounts of free time. I would run away and teach myself guitar. And my third highest scoring category is "Interpersonal." This again I was not surprised about. I am very intune with others around me and how they are feeling. At times this can be good but also bad. For now its definitely a positive thing. I think interaction and knowing/caring about how others feel is so important to daily life.