The Coaching Toys Blog

Collage Making Software - Cool!

 I found a great way to make collages on your computer with images you have on file.

It's called Picture Collage Maker and you will find it at www.picturecollagesoftware.com

The simple collage on the left was created with the free version  however the fee based versions have a LOT more tools and options to play with. There are a ton of templates, you can put picture frames around your images, choose from a varity of masks, play with color, backgrounds and shapes and add text or clip art.You can print your collage, email it and convert it to a jpeg.

There are so many ways to use Picture Collage Maker - here are a few:

1. Use for creating a vision board

2. Create a collage for each value that you want to honor (works for goals too).

3. Create a collection of images from an event to use on a thankyou card or newsletter follow-up

5. Create a customized calendar (there are some cool calendar templates)

6. Create a collage image for a blog post or maybe an ebook cover

7, Use for scrapbooking or greeting cards (templates for this too).

A creative outlet and great way to create coaching structures and reminders. It's fun and they offer a free 15 day trial on the fee based versions - FYI - you do get a watermark on the free trial version.

Cool event for right-brainers

Are you a right-brainer? I know I am.

Another right-brainer, coach Jennifer Lee is launching a summit just for us! It's not like all the other tele-summit out there - it has a VISUAL component - Yeah!

It's called the Right-Brainers in Business Video Summit and it starts Monday Feb. 28 - I know, Thats tomorrow, sorry for the short notice and the good news is - it runs through March 11. There will be a session a day from 10-10:45am - Pacific time

She created it to introduce her new book;The Right-Brain Business Plan: A Creative, Visual Map for Success. She has a great line-up of creative entrepreneurs who will each speak to a chapter in the book.

What a great idea! And it looks like it will be a blast - I know I'm signing up! I think it's all part of a right-brainer revolution.  Go here to learn more and sign up; Right-Brainers in Business Vido Summit

I'd love to hear what you think!

 

Metaphors - the possibilities are endless

Metaphors are a great way to engage groups or individuals in a reflective process. Whether used as an introductory icebreaker or for debriefing an activity, metaphors can take the conversation in new directions, add fun and very often create a deeper connection to the learning. Having images, words or objects on hand as prompts can make it really easy. Here's where it gets fun - prompts for metaphors are everywhere.

Here are a few ideas for your tool box

1. Look in your kitchen cabinet and pull out your spices.
You don't have to take the actual spice jars to your event, although you could.  Get pictures of them or create a set of spice index cards - one spice per card; pepper, salt, garlic, parsley, paprika, sage etc.

Sample instructions to participants;
Choose a spice represents a strength you bring to your work.
Choose a spice that represents something you would like to add to your marketing plan

Once each person chooses the conversation unfolds as they describe the meaning of their chosen spice.

2. Find pictures in magazines of common objects that show up in a broad variety of styles. It doesn't matter if it's chairs or shoes or cars or flowers, collect as many as possible with as broad a range as possible. Use them with icebreaker kinds of questions, or reflective debriefing questions. 

Sample questions
Choose the shoe that reflects something unique about you.
Pick a chair that represents your experience of the exercise.

3. There are lots of great places to look - your kids toy box might be a fun option. You can also buy ready made tools that act as metaphor prompts to elicit responses. Card deck types of products can often work well

Want to play?  Which chair best reflects your intention for today?

Share your thoughts and your favorite metaphor prompts.

Response to a recent poll on goals

I ran across a poll recently at www.theartrepreneur.com asking artists if they had a plan and goals for their art career. A whopping 73% at last count did not have a clue where they were going next. I don't think artists are alone in this. What is it about the whole idea of planning that has people run in the other direction. Even in the face of conventional wisdom and scientific studies that point to a greater chance of success with goals. Is it a resistance to a linear structure? A fear of success? Lack of faith in the ability to follow through? Not knowing how to create good goals?

Do you have a vision for yourself? Do you have goals?
Why or why not? I'd love to hear your thoughts on the subject.

The poll inspired me to write an article - It's posted on my coaching web site

 Up a Creek Without a Vision  by Marcy Nelson-Garrison
Is goal setting and creating a vision for your life and work difficult for you? If so you are not alone. In a recent poll of 1086 artists - only 7% had goals that were written down - most of them had no idea what was next for them..... Read the full article here Up a Creek Without a Vision

 

Coaching with visual images

I am very excited about a new product/process called Art Guidance Coaching. It was created by Karin Bauer and I just posted my interview with her on the Coaching Toys site.

Karin has turned her tangible product – Art Guidance Cards into an online visual coaching program that allows a coach and a client to see and work with the same image while on a call.  The use of imagery in coaching and counseling is near and dear to my heart. In fact, I once started down the path to become an art therapist (that’s a story for another time). What I know about the power of using imagery is that it bypasses internal censorship and takes you to a different and sometimes deeper place of knowing and meaning.

Part of the reason I’m excited about this is that I use an imagery process with my in person clients now. The Art Guidance Coaching system will allow me to offer a similar process to clients anywhere. Karin’s images are abstract paintings which are rich and layered enough to allow for a broad range of responses.

Rather than fully describe how the process works I’ll point you to the interview. In it, I allowed myself to be the subject of a coaching demo. The process easily opened up new perspectives. I found it valuable and we only did a 15 minute session.

This product provides a way for you to offer something really unique and powerful to your clients. Karin recommends a full hour for an art guidance session so you could use it as a stand alone offering, an addition to a group program or even a regular part of your one on one coaching. I've already signed up myself and can hardly wait to try it.

I will probably be raving about Art Guidance Coaching for awhile.

FYI - Art Guidance Coaching is now available in the Coaching Toys store.