(via 37signals.com)

Fascinating talk from the legendary John Cleese. One point that hit home with me was that ideas and creativity do not come from a laptop. Admittedly I’ve sat with the laptop waiting and hoping for some great idea to be born. As Cleese pointed out, most good ideas are born away from the laptop. Stimulating conversation or, as Cleese says, sleeping on it or meditating, are much better ways to create and solve issues.

Momentum is another factor that Cleese didn’t mention. When you’re away from creating for a time it’s challenging to just start generating ideas. However, once you do start again it’s much like riding a bike. Another sub-text in Cleese’s speech is that of discipline, which also interfaces with momentum. He talks about working through the obstacles he faced in creativity. That requires discipline.

Check out the speech. What do you think?

You know that I started a new project this year, WorkingInMusic.com. From now on all music related posts will be there. Please add that site to your reader.

Here on JamSmooth.com I plan to continue focusing on dating, relationships and other JamSmooth adventures, but also exercise. In 2005 after the distribution company I worked for relocated, I decided to become a personal trainer. I got certified by the American Council on Exercise. I trained over 50 clients of all ages that year. It was a very rewarding job.

Fitness, health, nutrition and exercise are some of my greatest passions in life. So I am going to share that passion and enthusiasm for you. Who knows, maybe we can create a community who gets fit together, sharing our victories and encouraging each other? I think so.

Never one to run from a challenge, JamSmooth has officially signed up for NaNoWriMo. NaNoWriMo is National Novel Writing Month. The challenge is to write a 50,000 word, 175 page novel in one month. Last year there were over 100,000 participants and 15,000 finished.

Thankfully my good buddy over at The Arc Of Time has joined the challenge as well. We’ll be able to encourage each other.

The timing is perfect. I recently began thinking about an idea for a screenplay. This will force me to write it. I’m excited about this challenge. When the novel is done (and edited) I’ll put it somewhere you can read it.

Wish us luck! We start in 4 days.