Creativity at its best! chapter 2 review on Presentationzen

Chapter 2 in presentationzen talks a lot about preparation, limitations and creativity.  It’s a fact many people don’t think of themselves as a creative person, I personally have an artsy side, and still my creativity comes to halt at some point or another.  The publication presentation Zen brings out an interesting point that the idea to be creative requires a whole mind – meaning that both the right and left side of the brain needs to be utilized. Okay so now the question where to start? To begin Presentation Zen suggest to start with a beginners mind also referred to as a child’s mind.  This allows for new and fresh ideas. Most children have a huge imagination and are not afraid to express their creative side. As adults we sometimes get cold feet and shun away from things that may become a great idea or are unwilling to share, because we may be too scared of rejection or judgment. ß No!

Presentations are a way to differentiate your information and introduce it in a storytelling manner. The story is important to you, so you would want to surpass expectations, and do it in a lively manner without limitations and barriers. Don’t hold back and definitely don’t limit your skills because of fear!

 Brenda Ueland was an inspiring writer with a popular and well known publication titled “If you Want to Write “basically the point of this reference, was to heed her thought to teach every person that you can “free your thoughts and the genius that is in you. “It was important to teach writers to let their imaginations stretch its wings.  (J. Friedlander 2010) Brenda has written a host of publications, and although this blog is geared towards improving your presentation and power point techniques, we must also open up our mind and become diverse in our thinking becoming a free spirit, and Brenda does an awesome job teaching this. How to do this:

·         Spend time away from direct challenges, whether it’s from work or home or other daily pressures.

·         Take breaks,  to go even further take a long walk on the beach or go jogging

·         Provide enthusiasm – meaning put love, passion, imagination and spirit behind your works.

Times are changing and getting yourself in tune to your audience is most important. There are many different aspects to presenting, being able to figure out what direction or approach to take is endless.

PechaKucha is another modern way and approach to presenting a power point, using a 20/20 rule basically the images are streaming through the screen as you talk along the images. A gentleman by the name of Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham are the creators of this particular format. This approach also came along, to nip in the bud long boring and horrible presentations. A very common problem and issue in the business realm. On the PechaKucha site, you will find vibrant and colorful slides which are the samples entered from the public. Go to www.pechakucha.org  it’s a great site to get some ideas and check out the 20 images in 20 seconds  which is a total of  6 minutes and 30seconds. Two highlighted points that advised against are to: Avoid clutter and Bulk. What suggestions to use simplicity, clarity, focus, balance and most importantly purpose!

Learning is key, I hope you have found some takeaways from my blog, I hope your day is awesome and find happiness in your own works and lifestyles. Thanks for stopping by!  MeleG

Reference

 (Friedlander, J. (2010). Book review article, if you want to write In U. Brenda (Ed.), If you Want to Write www.goodreads.com