(Click here if you can’t see the Clangers video.)

If you grew up in the UK from the late 60s onwards, The Clangers will need no introduction.

These charming knitted creatures who lived on the moon, in caves covered by saucepan lids, were probably some of your most beloved childhood companions. Even now, I bet you can’t listen to the sound of a Swanee whistle without hearing the voice of a Clanger.

The Clangers’ voices were perhaps their most endearing characteristic — while they never uttered a word, as you listened to the rise and fall of the Swanee whistle, you were absolutely convinced you could understand everything they said. The Clangers were so animated, they seemed so intent on what they were saying, that the sense of a real conversation was utterly convincing.

The illusion was so powerful that children from different countries all said the same thing — they could hear the clangers talking to them in their own language.

Truly, the Clangers had the gift of tongues. [click to continue…]

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Guest Articles for The 99% and MyCake

December 4, 2009

I’ve recently written a couple of guest articles on other blogs that you might enjoy.
RSS Creativity – Routines, Systems, Spontaneity

A summary of my recent thinking about how to manage creative workflow without stifling your inspiration.
The 99% is an online magazine for creative professsionals – if you like Wishful Thinking you should feel very much [...]

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The Lateral Action Creative Entrepreneur Course Is Now Live

November 22, 2009

Image by Hugh MacLeod
UPDATE: We’ve now sold out. Thank you and welcome to all our charter members!
We’ll be running a second progamme early in 2010 – if you’d like to hear about it when we open up again, you can sign up on this page to join the e-mail notification list.
We’ve now started taking enrolments [...]

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Free Report: How to Become a Creative Entrepreneur

November 18, 2009

If you’re remotely interested in making a living from your creativity, I suggest you download a copy of the free report The Lateral Action Guide to Becoming a Creative Entrepreneur.
Written by Brian Clark, one of my partners at Lateral Action, it tells the story of Brian’s unconventional route to success, via Law, screenwriting, real estate [...]

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Are You Ready for Sixth Sense Technology?

November 16, 2009

Photo by Broma
Imagine walking down the street and seeing a poster for a new film at your local cinema. It looks interesting, so you stop.
With a wave of your hand, you conjure an image of a web browser, projected onto the poster from a camera you’re wearing as an earpiece. You snap your fingers, [...]

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Two New Wishful Thinkers!

November 9, 2009

Photo by Tambako the Jaguar
Firstly, sorry Wishful Thinking has been a bit quiet recently. I’ve got some new articles lined up shortly, and I’m working on a brand-new free e-book for you — watch this space.
Secondly, I don’t write much about my personal life on this blog, but I hope you will indulge me for [...]

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Is Burnout Inevitable in the Creative Industries?

October 19, 2009

Photo by J R Guillaumin
How would you like to work 15-20 hours unpaid overtime a week?
What about doing it for weeks on end because of unrealistic schedules?
How about a 65% chance of damaging your health from the stress of overtime?
And what if someone told you these were just occupational hazards, to be expected [...]

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Video Interview: Mark McGuinness Talks to Philip Patston

September 29, 2009

cm 27 Mark McGuiness Interview from Creative Momentum on Vimeo.
I recently recorded this video interview with Philip Patston, an entrepreneur, consultant and comedian from New Zealand.
Philip did a great job of drawing out my thoughts, and we covered a lot of ground in the 30-minute conversation. Here’s Philip’s summary:
we caught up with Mark via [...]

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Free E-book – ‘Defiant! Practical Tips to Thrive in Tough Times’

August 31, 2009

If you’re feeling daunted by the challenges of the recession – or if you could simply do with some inspirational and practical advice, then I suggest you download Defiant: Practical Tips to Thrive in Tough Times.
It’s a new e-book from Rajesh Setty, successful entrepreneur, respected author, columnist for Lateral Action – and a thoroughly [...]

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Meanwhile…

June 19, 2009

Photo by edastrauch
If you like Wishful Thinking, you might be interested in some of my other projects — here’s a sample of my recent online activities.
Lateral Action
This is the site I co-create with Brian Clark and Tony Clark, about creativity, productivity and creative entrepreneurship.
Here are some of my recent articles:

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