We are in week three of this 5-part series on the creative process! Yay! If you haven't yet listened to parts one and two, go ahead and do that first so this all makes more sense.

Today's Mini Moved Me is all about how we can REFRAME our work.

In other words, are we open to seeing our work in a different way? Exploring the possibilities? Stretching the approaches? Often, the tools in our tool belt - i.e., all the research we are continuously doing - makes it possible to see our work in a different light.

Creating something "new" is really about seeing the old in new ways, and making it your own.

[Tweet "As #speakers - reframing is important if we are to bring new insight to old ideas (and they're all old ideas). "]

Some ideas from Andy in terms of how we can "reframe" as we're creating something new:

-What Works Matrix by Jack Welch - identifying people, companies, organizations that are doing it well (not exactly like you - but something you aspire to)

-Expect and plan on trying and failing. There is so much to learn as we try and find the new!

-If we want to be able to reframe we need to literally step away, retreat, slow down and NOT think about what we're focused on. Our brain makes connections in the unconscious - so sleep, quiet, reflection - even zoning out in the shower - are essential to the creative process.

Tune in for next week's continuation of this conversation - focusing on the "AHA Moment" - what Andy calls REALIZE!

We are in week two of diving into the Creative Process! Last week's episode laid the foundation for this series - so if you haven't listened to it yet, go back and listen to that one now as it will help this all make a little more sense!

Today's Mini Moved Me is all about RESEARCH.

"Research" means feeding your brain with good stuff. Podcasts, audio books, music, YouTube videos, Lynda courses, UdeMe, reading books, taking online courses, talking to experts, talking to friends. Even scrolling Facebook could be considered "research." (Or, at least, that's my excuse for the wormhole of time I spend on there sometimes...)  It can be specifically about your topic - or, it can be seemingly un-related.

Of course, we all know that things are connected in ways we can't always see initially.

We feed our brains as a part of the process  so when an opportunity arises to CREATE, we have all this juice in our nogins that makes our creations rich, connected, vibrant, interesting, thoughtful...

Sometimes, this "research" becomes the basis for the analogies/metaphors/experiences that can make our work powerful.

But let's be real: all this research can also be overwhelming. Andy (today's guest, and my husband) - is a productivity expert, so he shares with us some of his favorite "hacks" for capturing all of what the world is throwing at us (and that we are picking up).

Here are some of the "hacks" to capture all of the "research" that abounds:

• Pocket
• Evernote
• Elizabeth Gilbert's Big Magic

Tune in for next week's continuation of this conversation - focusing on REFRAMING!

Have you heard of the Women’s Speaker’s Association? The WSA has been a great source of support and resource for me – and it’s also where I’ve made some great connections, including today’s guest. Christy Primmer is a speaker, author, coach, counselor – even spelling bee champion! - and she is a pro. She brings her sassy self to the stage, mastering the art of taking about tough subjects with finesse and care.

How many of you have gotten STUCK before?! Struggled with making the new?!  Felt at a creative loss?! Felt tired, bored, uninspired, alone!?

Ugh, yes. Me too.

A few months ago, I got a wonderful question from my friend (well, I like to think we're "friends" - do Twitter-friends count?) Grant,  who asked how he, as a pastor and frequent speaker with a demanding schedule, stays inspired, energized, creative.

My first reaction to Gavin was to share with him this framework for the creative process that I've learned from my hubs, Andy. So, I did a Mini Moved Me and blog post - and talked through the essential creative process when we're making something new, hoping that within this framework would be something helpful for Gavin.

But there is so much more to dig into here - because it applies to ALL of us. If we're creating ANYTHING, we are in the various stages of this framework several times a day, many times over. And there are things we can do to get better at creating.

Today’s guest – Ann Imig – blogger (Ann’s Rants), humorist, performer and the creator of the Listen To Your Mother events (and author of the book of the same name) – is living out the idea of sharing our stories. LTYM, a live event that brings voice to people’s experiences with motherhood. And this has grown tremendously in the past 6 years, with shows in 41 cities throughout North America. Ann is funny, insightful, determined – and bringing her mission of live storytelling to life.

Sometimes the biggest hurdle we face when rehearsing is actually standing up and jumping in.  As a coach, I know all the signs... prolonged chit-chat, sudden stories of our kids, last-minute bathroom visits, extra goofing off, changes of subject... I know, I know - it's a challenging moment, when you have to stand up and say out loud these ideas that you've been playing with. It's the first time you are really putting yourself out there. And we put a lot of pressure on ourselves.

But what if we took off some of the pressure?  What if, instead of thinking of it as a rehearsal, we thought of it as a "stumble-through"?  

Enjoy!