Look close and you'll miss it

So often we get caught up trying to find a solution that we fail to see all the possibilities around us. In an attempt to find an outcome we narrow our focus, limit our vision and miss the golden opportunities. Creativity is about possibilities not adequate solutions.

I’m a big fan of creativity being a process BUT if that process is too rigid and is a ‘cookie cutter approach’ then it will only restrict and constrain your creativity. So the creative process must encourage courageous thinking, possibility hunting, and not just bang out ideas.

It’s being an explorer. Take Samuel Wallis for instance. In 1766 was commissioned to search for a large continent, believed to be south of South America, it didn’t exist of course. But what if he ignored everything else around him and only focused on that? He would have missed Tahiti. Shame really! His journey and discoveries were then stepping-stones to Cook’s expeditions.

Sometimes what we think is there, simply isn’t, and sometimes we find things that are greater.

Last time I spoke about Children being better at creativity tests. One of the reasons is that as children we were great explorers, we explored our environment, our world, and our minds constantly, we pushed the limits.

We wanted to know how tall our Lego tower would go before collapsing, how many different household surfaces we could draw on and we made up endless imaginary games and had an insatiable appetite to try and learn new things. It’s how we learnt and how we grew.

As adults we tend not to explore as much. We know what is right and wrong, we know what works and what doesn’t, we make assumptions and we tend to take the safe and familiar path of ideas and possibilities.

So when it comes to thinking creatively and generating ideas we need to start exploring again. We need to stop looking right in front of us and following the process to the 9th degree We need to step out on the proverbial ledge and see what is beyond. We need to test new waters and try new things. Otherwise we get stuck, and nothing new happens.

As a great Zen master once said, ‘to find the answer we must forget the problem’.

Creative lessons from my dog

Why children do better at creativity tests

Most people don’t actually believe they are very creative. Or you could say we unlearn to be creative as we go through life.

Let me introduce you to a gentleman by the man of George Land - an educator and author, who many years ago, did an experiment.

He managed to get hold of a creativity test from NASA, and gave the test to a bunch of five year old children. Of all the five year olds who did the test, an astounding 98% scored highly creative. Remarkable isn’t it.

But more remarkable is the fact that he then gave the test to the same children five years later. They are now ten and they’ve done the test before. This time only 30% scored highly creative! In the short space of five years the percentage dropped dramatically.

He then gave the test to a group of adults. Of a group of people roughly my age only 2% scored highly creative. Yes you read that right – 2%

So does this mean that as we grow older we get less creative? No I don’t believe it does. I believe it means that as we get older we just don’t believe we’re very creative because we don’t know how, we’re out of practice, or we’ve had it knocked out of us.

What this says is that we all have a natural ability to be creative which we lose as we move on in life. George Land himself concluded that ‘non-creative behaviour is learned’. Not the other way around.

Think about it. As we grow older we gain more life experience, make more assumptions, take less creative risks, and we tend to come up with ideas we think people want to hear rather than what we think they should hear. We play it safe and come up with adequate ideas but not truly creative ones.

Children tend to have fewer inhibitions, ask more questions, are far more inquisitive, they tend to be less afraid of ridicule, don't make as many assumptions, they play and explore more than us and they hang out in more stimulating and creative environments.

And there, by the way, lie many secrets to becoming more creative.

Am I saying we should become more childish in our creative endevours and thinking? No. I’m saying we should become more childlike and adopt the attributes children have in regards to creativity. Most importantly, we need to relearn how to be creative. To go with the creative flow, let our creative side do its thing, and dig it out of the pile of 'life' stuff we've buried it under.

Creativity & the art of motorcycle riding

Let me be upfront about this right from the start…I’m into motorcycles. That’s just the way it is. I’m not a ‘hoon’ or a ‘rev head’, or belong to a gang I just like riding bikes. I’ve heard people say that you’re either a bike person or your not. And I am.

Why? I find it very meditative to be riding through the country on an open road. It’s the ultimate in mindfulness because there simply isn’t any thing else to concern yourself with. It’s just you and a bike and a road. It clears the mind, empties the head and it’s like hitting a big ‘reset’ button.

I also love the fact that riding a bike immerses you entirely into your environment. You’re completely open to the elements, and rather than observing the world around you through a windscreen, you’re in the thick of it, you’re part of it. It’s a very different experience than driving a car.

I also love the community. When you ride a bike you can be on your own anywhere and you’re never alone. Pull up somewhere and someone will chat. Bikers and non-bikers simply open up conversations. It’s like being part of an unsaid club where there’s a huge sense of belonging.

I also love creativity and all things and people creative. I love seeing people tap into their creative sides, using creative thinking to find practical business ideas and strategies, and I love helping people draw their creative sides out of themselves.

And maybe that’s why I also love bikes so much. There are many correlations.

Creatively we need to to focus and get into that mindful state. We also need to see the world differently and totally immerse ourselves in our projects and ideas. And finally, especially in the business world, we need to feel we belong and that’s it’s okay to be creative and put ideas on the table without fear of ridicule.

Last week I got to meet one of my heroes - Charley Boorman. We also need heroes and we all need people to look up to and to mentor us. It’s much harder on your own.

The myth of nowhere to go!

Eurovision - The art of Confidence

So once again Eurovision has finished for the year and has been the hot topic of conversation for millions around the world, in fact it’s estimated 100 million watched it on TV.

What’s interesting is the myriad of opinions and attitudes towards Eurovision, from dedicated fans who love and adore it, to those who mock and criticize it. My opinion?...well...As a creativity fest it’s a bonanza and we were once again treated to a myriad of ideas and artistic creations. Love the artistry or hate it there’re a few things that should be said about Eurovision from a purely creative point of view.

Firstly, it goes to show that art is often in the eyes of the beholder. We need to remember that everyone has a unique perspective on the world, and that not only makes things interesting but exposes us to ideas and creations we may never have seen through our own eyes. When it comes to generating ideas and finding strategic outcomes, differing perspectives are absolute gold.

But what I really took away from Eurovision was the art of confidence. The fact that the contestants gave it their all and believed wholeheartedly in their abilities, talents and artistic integrity. They took the stage with gusto and a show of self-belief and bravado.

There’s a great lesson there - confidence is everything!

When it comes to thinking creativity confidence plays a big part. The ability to back ourselves and pursue ‘out-there’, seemingly crazy ideas is vital. Lack of confidence has caused many to give up or abandon a great idea. So having confidence is a major attribute of the creative mindset - confidence in your ability, confidence in your idea, and confidence to sell it on.

Surviving the Storm - Creativity is Vital for Strategy

Getting through the Global recession is a bit like being on a boat in the middle of the ocean during a storm.

As the storm rolls in the first thing you do is batten down the hatches and secure any loose items. The ship needs to be as ready as it can for the rough seas ahead.

So you trim budgets, streamline your processes and ensure your business is as watertight as possible. Then you start jettisoning anything overboard that you don’t need, unfortunately that often includes some of your people.

But then what happens?  You wouldn’t sit idle in the middle of the ocean waiting for the storm to pass because you’ll be tossed about and completely at the mercy of the waves, wind and storm itself. You’d be in great danger of capsizing or even sinking.

The best plan of attack in this financial storm is to take action, start the engines, trim the sails and navigate your way through it. Try and find the best or smoothest course to take, or face the waves, drive head-on and take control.

What’s your recession plan of attack?
Are you sitting idle waiting for the recession to pass or are you taking action? Do you have a plan of attack? Many companies have now battened down the hatches and secured their businesses as best they can, but now action has to be taken. We have to take charge and navigate a way through. More - download the full article

The Empty Box

Ever watched a child play with a large empty box? To a child a box is not a box – it’s anything but. A box becomes a spaceship to explore new worlds, the fastest racecar ever, a horse stable, or a secret cave to hide treasure in. You name it and that box can be it.

Kids have this amazing ability to let their imaginations run wild. They see things, not for what they are, but for what they can be. They explore, seek endless possibilities, and try new things without fear of ridicule or failure. In short they have an innate capacity to PLAY.

Sadly as we grow older, we loose that capacity and tend to play less. But creatively it’s very important. Creatively we need to explore, to investigate, to dream, and to try and fail without being wounded.

So perhaps each of us should imagine having, or physically placing, a large empty box in our office, boardroom or thinking space to remind us of the value of PLAY.