Recently, I attended a fabulous Birthday Party. The Celebration wove it's festive strands throughout the grounds of the lovely home. The deck & gazebo were festooned with brightly colored streamers and guests could catch the strains of the jazz band playing whimsical sets below. A large tent was the setting for the buffet stations which featured traditional favorites from Europe, North America, North & West Africa, Asia and the Caribbean.

As I meandered through the grounds, savoring the visual artistry with which items were arranged, I was struck by some playful and elegant twists. Lo Mein noodles were being served on the Asian display; the stir-fry was ladled and dispensed into miniature take-a-way containers. The dessert table featured crepes which had been prepped in advance and were seared on a skillet and then filled with a colorful garni bouquet of fresh, tropical fruits.

From the African table, the succulent scent of savory meats & fish wafted into the air. A sizzling burner nearby was deep frying a hot pastry style puff served with a delicious shrimp paste. The display featured tropical fruits and flowers against a backdrop of authentic African masks!

Now, No party would be complete without burgers...yet the twist on the traditional American burger was miniature buns and burgers served with regular sized chicken wings complimented with an assortment of dipping sauces! An artful display of fruit and cheese encircled the Brie on the European table where guests could also enjoy Polish specialities like perogies and kielbasa. All the dishes were traditional favorites but the presentation was artfully staged!

Later that evening, I had an opportunity to speak with the chef. He has recently retired after two decades of service with the Hyatt Regency and is exploring several options which include setting up his own catering business and a restaurant. I was fascinated as he described his vision...for which he used the term "FUSION"...a blending of flavors & traditional regional specialties in flavorful and interesting combinations which allows diners to experience something NEW within the context of a familiar menu item.

For instance, the Lo Mein noodles are served in Chinese restaurants every day, but most party goers don't expect to be able to watch them prepared fresh and then served to them in miniature take away containers. Creative Presentation is a skill set which has many applications in business.

Often, it's the little unexpected twist which can deliver the most bang for the buck. It can also create raving fans from a 'ho hum seen it all before audience." At a time where cynicism about the real estate transaction is at an all time high, the door is wide open to incorporate a New Twist in the ways we serve our clients. Making real estate fun and engaging is something that every professional in the industry can do with just a little effort, creativity and imagination.

A few years ago, our team went to the dollar store. We had about $250 dollars to spend. We bought laundry baskets, several yards of inexpensive gauze netting, and everything that we could think of which a new home owner might not be able to find during the first few days of their move...paper plates & cups, napkins, utensils, toilet paper, tissue, detergent, dish soap, screw driver, extension cord, pencil and paper, flashlight, cleaners, small broom set etc. We arranged these items in the laundry basket and delivered this to our client at the closing. This gift continues to give rave reviews...clients still refer to it and refer others to us because they remember it. A simple twist on what could be considered the mundane and dull aspects of moving.

Another meaningful gift that I have given over the years is a Brand New copy of a book which I've read and enjoyed. Giving someone a book in which you highlight specific areas which have been meaningful to you with a brief note in the book cover transforms this gift into a special memento. I have been surprised by how this simple gift has been so deeply appreciated. A handwritten note, a call of appreciation or encouragement...these simple touches are the elements which elevate a routine transaction into an experience that people remember and cherish. I'm curious...I'd love to hear some of the simple ways in which you are elevating the Ordinary into the Extraordinary.

Copyright 2007 Audu Real Estate All Rights Reserved

Click Here to Read More about Grand Rapids, Michigan

I had a number of errands to run today.  It's one of my rare office days when my schedule is my own to do with as I please - within the boundaries of getting my work done of course.  The day is gorgeous in Grand Rapids, so my youngest son and I take off in the car to enjoy being together and being outdoors.  He's immersed in a new book, so I pop in a Tony Robbins CD from his "Get The Edge Series."  He momentarily perks up to listen and then decides his book is more interesting.  I settle down. We're together...teenager & Mom...and this is a good thing... and it is enough. 

I've received the series as a gift several days ago.  As Tony begins to talk, I drift in and out of my private thoughts.  Then something he says arrests my attention.  He is asking a question...Did you have a Great Thought Interrupt Your Day today? 

It's a rhetorical question...the point being made that great thoughts rarely interrupt our days...they come during moments of contemplation, relaxation or fun.  Seemingly from nowhere, ideas arise, solutions emerge and opportunities all of a sudden become visible.  But how...

You have to make time to Create!  Creation is an artistic discipline which must be nourished to thrive.  Creativity needs the spacious landscape of downtime...relaxation...to enable its effervescence to bubble to the surface.  As I listened to the CD, there were several insights that emerged. 

1.  Creativity must be Nourished & Protected.

For many years, I have devoted the first hour of my day to quiet contemplation and devotional reading. It is at these moments, when my mind is freshest and my thoughts have not yet begun to race unabated, that inspiration has aroused fresh passion within my soul.  Most of my teaching on spiritual life has been written during these times.  While my level of mental and spiritual stimulation is not always on "high alert", I have always been refreshed and more relaxed in starting my day this way.  The days when this time has been rushed or omitted have left a slight disjointed unsettling feel to life's activities.  Consequently, these moments must be treasured and protected. 

2.  Creativity Requires Time to Flourish.

A big mistake which I have often made or been tempted to make when I have an inspired idea is to talk about it...to anyone and everyone.  Experience has taught me that not every receiver of information is tuned in to give helpful or wise counsel and support.  Creative ideas are seeds.  They do need to be planted and worked into the soil. Inappropriate exposure will kill an emerging seedling of an idea.  Criticism, skepticism, scorn and misunderstanding are poisons that will effectively cut off its young life.

3.  Creativity Thrives on Expectation.

The 1989 Movie, "Field of Dreams"  the character Terrence Man (played by James Earl Jones) encourages Ray (played by Kevin Costner) with this famous quote "If you build it, they will come" famous.  In a similar way, creative instinct also forces you out on a limb with reference to expectations. Expecting to be inspired has a way of creating opportunities for inspiration and creativity.  It's a matter of perspective. 

The fact is that inspiration is all around us.  We usually don't see it because we are walking around with our "eyes wide shut."  Creativity abounds within the peculiarities of nature.  It dances with delight in the mischievous smile of a child.  It mesmerizes within the dramatic flair of artistic expression.  Creativity jives with the beat of the drums or glides on the strains of the violin.  If you live in expectation...Creativity will come!

4.  Creativity is Invigorated by a Sabbath Rest.

I realized, only recently, that my understanding of the Sabbath was very shallow and misguided.  Earlier this year,  I picked up a fascinating book by a Jewish Rabbi, Rabbi Daniel Lapin called "Thou Shalt Prosper.  Ten Commandments for Making Money." 

In one section of the book,Rabbi Lapin writes about Consecrating Time for Forecasting and the power of being able to understand the soft, subtle signals that coming events send into the future.  According to Lapin, the reason we miss these signals is because we have neglected the necessary quiet time to take note of them.  To hear these muted messages, we must be willing to block out noise.  Only then will we be able to hear the soft and quick tread of rapidly approaching trends. 

Lapin writes: "the practice of Sabbath...a day of rest may seem to be governed by primitive rules, but its effect is to "create a tranquil oasis" in time and space from which the future can be effectively contemplated.  For 25 hours each week, Jews are required to put aside all work-related objects and activities ....It is a regular weekly period of time during which their beings are set on "receive mode" rather than "transmit mode."

When I think about the frenzy that characterizes so much of the real estate experience, I wonder if we'd be much more effective if we worked in ways that enhanced rather than depleted creative momentum.  The average Realtor prides him/herself in being easily and continually accessible.  Downtime is often spent under the dull spell of a droning television set.  Open Houses are routinely scheduled for weekends and vacations are preceded by a whirlwind of activity to wrap things up before we leave. A flurry of appointments and emergencies are scheduled for when we return.  

May this be one reason that as an industry, we've missed some important messages that the market sent us and have found ourselves scrambling to react to trends rather than leading the way to creative solutions?  Perhaps, we have been so busy being busy that we've neglected the vitally important discipline of being quiet enough to observe, understand and then respond appropriately. 

Perhaps in failing to listen and quiet our collective heart and spirit, we have forged ahead without the strength of vision which only comes when you catch your breath, stand still and absorb the messages being transmitted to you.  You might think ...We can't possibly afford to do this...things are moving way too fast.  I challenge you with what me seem to be an absurdity...Perhaps there is too much at stake not to! 

*Editorial note:  This blog post was started some time ago...my day today was far more hectic. :)

*photographs of dandelions are courtesy of Dawn Endico on flickr

Copyright 2007 Audu Real Estate  All Rights Reserved