Tag Archives: COVID-19

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 7:54 pm on April 26, 2020
Tags: COVID-19, , , school,   

COVID-19, Youth Development, and Creativity

This past week, I’ve been reflecting upon the COVID-19 health crisis in regard to youth development. I’ve been thinking about the online schooling all kids are now doing, and thinking about how that is a fit for some, and yet not for all. Regardless, it is so important that youth have access to their education during this health crisis. Knowledge acquisition is part and parcel to creativity. New knowledge equates to the generation of new ideas and possibilities.

Youth also need the space to do other things. Space to step away from the computer screen, and get in touch with other aspects of their being. However, that is difficult if the brain, and body for that matter, are constantly stimulated.

For instance, today I had this wonderful insight about a blog topic for today, yet due to a busier day than normal, that insight went away. Now, I know it will be back, and spend time purposefully away from sensual stimulation to create space for those types of insights to return.

Youth need downtime. Time they can use to get in touch with their creative self, and just be, free from the constraints of constant stimulation. It does not have to be hours each day. To start, it can be 10 or 20 minutes a day. Taking a walk around the block, sitting outside in the sun, and doing yard work, or gardening are just a few ideas.

Anything, while adhering to local social distancing policies, to create space so they can be with their ideas, and think about themselves in different ways, not always connected to someone or something.

If you are interested in youth development, take a look at this site, which my son and I created this past year.

Until next time…

#covid-19, #creativity, #knowledge, #school, #youth-development

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 1:49 pm on April 25, 2020
Tags: , , concept, COVID-19, , , , , idea,   

Fear of the Unknown

This past week, I created a message about fear of the unknown in a Friday Message to the team of folks I work and collaborate with.

Here is that message

This week I’ve been noticing, and reflecting upon fear. Fear that comes with not knowing. And, the byproducts of fear of the unknown, like being nervous and or anxious. I notice them first within myself. The only way one can notice them in others is to first notice them in oneself. 


There is also a knowing in all of this unknown, however, which is that fear and fear’s byproducts are a normal part of the human experience. You are not alone in your fear. If someone tells you they have no fear, they are simply not aware of the fear within themselves, or refuse to accept it.


I was talking to my mom this week, who lives in CA, where the restrictions on shelter-in-place and social distancing are much more rigorous than here locally. We were talking about my mom’s fear about the future, and the realization that this is a normal process of understanding. 

I believe that to understand what is possible, and to create new future realities, we must acknowledge all aspects of our being, our shared humanity. When we do so, we open up a creative space within ourselves and the space to share ourselves with others experiencing the same emotions and fears.


By recognizing our fears as a part of the normal human experience we also create acceptance within ourselves of our fears, and likewise then create the space to accept others and their fears. 

This is called compassion. Compassion for ourselves, our neighbors, our friends, family, team, our local community, and the greater world.

I share this with you as a creation that stemmed from the COVID-19 health crisis. To often, I think, people get caught up in thinking they are not creative, which can actually inhibit creativity, and is simply not true. Creativity lives inside each of us, and can be defined in a myriad of ways, from an idea, to a fully operating business.

One of the distinctions about creativity, is that in order for a creative idea or business model to live in the world, action must be taken. Otherwise the creative idea or business model remains a concept in language. So, take action today, and go execute on your conceptual creativity.

Until next time…

#action, #business, #concept, #covid-19, #creativity, #execution, #fear, #human-development, #idea, #unknown

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 8:08 pm on April 23, 2020
Tags: , , COVID-19, , ,   

Creativity this week

I’ve been writing again, since the COVID-19 outbreak. The writing is one of the things that has “come back” with the extra time. It is interesting to examine human nature. We work very hard to stay as busy as possible, and yet inside of business, there is little space for creativity. Yes, you can be creative while leading a busy life. Yet, you can be even more creative when you stop to pause, ponder, and wonder.

So, then, this is the companion blog that I created this week as an outlet for the writing. No idea if it will go anywhere. And, really, the writing is not about it going somewhere. It is about taking that creative action, realizing that outlet, or manifesting that output. However you say it, matters less than taking those steps to do something different. Or, do something that you’ve not done in some time.

For instance, last week I played golf, while of course adhering to the social distancing order, for the first time in 3 or 4 years. That felt good. I played really bad. Again, that is not the point. The point, for me anyway, was taking the action, doing something.

Well, that is it from me for now. Before I go a question for you.

What did you create this week?

And, if you didn’t create anything, which I know you did, even if you don’t consider it a creation, what will you create next week?

Reply and let the world know.

Until next time…

#action, #blog, #covid-19, #creativity, #human-nature, #writing

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 12:29 pm on April 18, 2020
Tags: , COVID-19, , , , ,   

Creativity During COVID-19

The past month we’ve seen unprecedented changes, across the world, country, and here locally. I’ve been thinking about all of these changes, and the fact that post-COVID-19, if there is such a thing, will be a whole new normal. Life as it once was is over.

I’ve also been thinking, and doing more creative things this past month. Writing more. Visioning more. And, overall, experiencing more creativity. With work hours, if you are lucky and are working, less than pre-COVID 19, there is more time. More time to think, and ponder, yes, and to also do, and be.

Question for you:

What have you created since the onset of COVID-19?

#change, #covid-19, #creativity, #experience, #life, #vision, #work