What's the next best thing to a notepad at the side of your bed to write down some half baked dream of a home inspection marketing plan gone bad? A chalk board in the shower of course. Honestly, I get some of my best flashes of insight about the time my finger tips start turning white.

Unfortunately, it's much like the dream state; in that if I don't get the thought or idea down ten minutes later, or about the time I get my pants on, I'm wondering just what it was that had me excited.

Of course the idea is only half the battle. You might, as most do, say this in an off hand manner, as if this was the easy part. We all convince ourselves of this type of nonsense, because of the suddenness in which the idea or thought comes to us. Let me ask you this, since when is being half done a minor accomplishment? How many times have you thought of some product or service, forgot about it... only to see someone else get rich by following through on it.

I always feel like they stole my idea but the truth of the matter is - I lost it, they found it, wrote it down and acted on it. As the old Chinese saying goes; for want of a nail (piece of chalk)... the war was lost.

I highly recommend that you do not use a dry erase marker on your shower enclosure; it will stain when left on for any length of time, just ask Gayle. That's why this time, I choose to use the caulk board- wipes clean every time. No muse, no fuss. The board I'm using is about 12x16 at the frame and is just big enough to cover the prior stains, err, I mean - get down the core elements of what to remember.

Charlie "Tremendous" Jones is quoted as saying: "Five years from today, you will be the same ... except for the people that you meet, and the books that you read".

I believe that he's only half right. I believe that "five years from today, you will be the same ... except for the people that you meet, the books that you read, and the things that you write". Here's the reason. The things that you write have focused energy, and when acted on, bring you closer to your "realization" of that focus. The things that you write are akin to the rudder of a ship. So, Captain my Captain, "CARPE DIEM"- Sieze the Day, write a lick or two about where you're going. Maybe I'll see you there five years from now.

since when is being half done, a minor accomplishment?. -- Bob Kille

Getting back to some substance, why is it that many people find inspiration (In Spirit), in the shower? I believe it's because during a long shower we let ourselves be in the moment, feeling good with no distractions, letting ourselves have a playful, wakeful dream. And in this moment, our unconscious mind, the smarter one, breaks through and throws us a bone.

Lately, I've been reading up on the unconscious mind... The book title is Blink, as in blink of an eye. That's just how fast it works; and when it throws you a bone, nail it down - so you can sit awhile an chew on it. Your work, at least the creative part, may indeed be half over.

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