We often get caught up trying to be like others, emulating their success and following in their footsteps.
But the true path to standing out is to double down on what makes you unique.
The nuthatch, highlighted in the pic above, is a tiny, unassuming bird. But it has an amazing superpower. It’s the only bird species in North America that can walk head first down a tree trunk. This enables the nuthatch to find niches that other birds miss.
It’s all about perspective.
This unique talent isn’t something nuthatches learned – it’s simply how they are.
The greatest businesses and leaders don’t succeed by simply copying others, but by leaning into their own experiences, talents and perspectives-their genius!
Apple didn’t go toe-to-toe with Microsoft by making a better Windows, but by blazing its own trail. The most successful find their individual superpower and wield it unapologetically.
Learn from the nuthatch.
Best practices are those superpowers that are unique to you and/or your team.
Identify your special skills and strengths, and leverage them in new and innovative ways.
From the moment a fish breaks out of its egg, it is swimming.
It doesn’t ask itself it can swim, it just does.
It can swim by nature.
Humans are creative by nature.
We don’t have to ask, we just are.
We live this truth with gusto as children but then we start listening to the opinions of others. We compare ourselves to others, and little by little the light of creative boldness dims.
But we can reclaim our creative identity.
When you are doubting your creative nature, think of a fish immersed in its natural environment – it simply exists in that state without questioning or complicating it.
As a helpful reminder of how to embrace this creative identity, I’ve developed the IMMERSE acronym for you to reflect upon:
I – Innate: Creativity is innate to our human nature. M – Mindful: We don’t need to overthink it; creativity comes from being present and mindful. M – Mindset: Creativity is a way of approaching life with an open and curious mindset. E – Effortless: Like a fish swimming, creativity flows effortlessly when we are in our element. . R – Realized: Creativity is realized through thought and birth of that thought in action. S – Spontaneous: Creativity often arises spontaneously. Embrace your creative promptings. E – Expressed: Creativity is reward in itself. Expression of creativity emboldens the self and gives permission to others. Just start, and then share your creativity.
But how does one start?
If you are stuck, even though you want to re-engage your creativity, do this: close your eyes, take a deep breath, and picture yourself being creative with no expectations, no judgement. Feel the bliss , the freedom- like a fish glides through water. Hold on to the creative energy. That’s you. That’s yours. Gently open your eyes and see the world with childlike wonder and curiosity.
We’ve all experienced that feeling of being creatively stuck, with no idea where to start. Total freedom can ironically make it harder to be creative.
One way to get the creative dynamo spinning is to, counterintuitively, create our own constraints.
Research shows that limitations, pre-existing or self-imposed, can activate our problem-solving skills and stimulate unconventional thinking. When we have all the time, resources, and options in the world, it’s easy to keep deferring decisions or go in circles. Limitations force us to prioritize and make choices.
The key is finding the right balance.
Too many constraints, too much limitation, too much pressure, will increase stress and backfire.
What are some examples of artificial constraints that spur innovation?
Budget Limitations – Inspires resourcefulness and simplicity. How would you reinvent something to be 97% cheaper?
Materials Restriction – Minimizes options and stimulates unconventional uses of mundane items. Think of new uses for household items or tools.
Make New Requirements – Use size, weight, colors, sounds, tastes as starting points to channels thoughts down non-obvious paths. If something fits on your lap, think of it your hand. Weight and size drove NASA’s Apollo team to “think small” in a big way.
Tight Deadlines – This one is easiest to impose, super poweful and also the most dangerous. Be wary of the anxiety-inducing ticking clock effect.(ask any chef in a cooking competition!) If you are self imposing this constraint, play with it and be kind to yourself when the buzzer sounds and you’re not done. Use it to motivate, not punish.
Switch’em up! – Shifting between constraints squeezes multiple rounds of fresh perspectives out of yourself or your team.
Remember, when you’re imposing your own constraints, you want them tight enough to motivate and engage, but not so tight you’re getting frustrated and flustered.
But what if you’re still spinning your wheels with new constraints?
Don’t create ruts by staying in the same place. Switch up the constraints- consciously play instead of focusing on accomplishment.
The key is to move.
If you must focus on accomplishment, make smaller goals and take smaller steps so they can become inspiration for the next steps.
Then make a new goal.
Limited options should ignite glowing embers of creativity, not douse them with a heavy wet blanket.
Light, joy, creative flow, are already within you. Impose limitations mindfully and purposefully, letting the pressure gently pull creativity out of you rather than pushing (and perhaps crushing) you. Before you know it, you’ll find yourself drinking from the refreshing, deep well of creativity that lies within.
It knows the paths of least resistance, it carves mountains, quenches thirst. One moment a river, another a cloud, another a snowflake and yet another bouncing off the petal of a rose and seeping into the Earth, percolating through to underground rivers flowing to the ocean…
Expansive…
Our thoughts ripple on the surface of depths deeper than the Seas
so much deeper …
But the bars, all we see are the bars – Real yet without substance
We focus on the absence of light –
Shadows!
Grab a shadow, clutch it, embrace it and tell me if you feel a warm caress in return
Yet those shadows are enough for us to forget that our shimmering creative essence is unbounded, that we are waters that refresh, mountain eroding power, abundance,
We are Life…
~~~
The above is a reflection upon the picture that I took, a spillway of water gushing between concrete walls, a shadow of a nearby fence creating prison bars over the window- an external window and yet the space between our ears.
What shadows intimidate you?
Acknowledge those shadows for the absence that they are! They do not impart their essence upon your greatness. Remember that and be light, be water, be life!
The mystery of the whole becoming greater than the sum of its parts, and the parts being all they can be.
It’s also one of my favorite videos of all time. I cannot watch it without getting chills, tears, or both.
It’s a wonderful example of how the passion of one person ignite’s a whole room of individuals and those in turn fan the original flame to create this wonderful synergy of joy and light.
Watch the other people who are singing and playing in the background. They literally are being lifted off their feet by the energy in that room.
So how does something like this happen?
According to researchers, these are some of the conditions for achieving group flow:
– A clear goal: Group members should have a shared understanding of what they are trying to achieve. – A high challenge: The group task should be sufficiently difficult/complex to require the full attention and skills of the group members. – A balance of skills: Group members should have complementary abilities and expertise that match the demands of the task. – Immediate feedback: The group should receive timely and accurate information about their performance and the outcomes of their actions. – Close listening: Group members pay attention to each other’s contributions, and build on them in a constructive way. – “Yes, and”: The group should adopt a positive and supportive attitude, avoiding criticism and negativity, and instead saying “yes, and” to each other’s suggestions. – Complete concentration: The group should be fully immersed and focused on the task, avoiding distractions and interruptions. – Being in control: The group should feel a sense of autonomy and agency over their actions and decisions, without being micromanaged or pressured by external factors. – Blending egos: Individuals strive to transcend their individual identities and roles, and foster a sense of unity and belonging with the group. – Equal participation: The group should ensure that everyone has an opportunity to contribute, and that no one dominates or withdraws from the task at hand.
While the group functions as one unit , it is still made up of individuals – people who need to feel appreciated and part of the team.
At a fundamental level, the success of the group depends upon each member unapologetically embracing who they are, being allowed and encouraged to stand proud and say at the top of their lungs,”This is me!” And then bringing that ‘me’ into the team.
Creativity and innovation are not just buzzwords, they are essential for success in today’s world. It’s important to constantly challenge yourself, grow your creativity and explore new possibilities.
Contact me today and let’s unleash your creative potential!
The world needs creative solutions, courageous people.
Like a virus, creativity is contagious. People get bold when they see others stepping out of their comfort zones to create, and they get creative as well.
I wanted to create something to share my thoughts about the importance of being a person that starts the spread of creativity: To be Patient Zero for Creativity!
But I felt that in order to do that effectively, I needed to stretch out of my own comfort zone.
What started out as a Robert Frost style poem morphed into the soliloquy with Shakespearean overtones you see here. Please join me in being ‘patient zero for creativity.’
Share your creativity so that others can be inspired and share theirs, and together, let’s create a better world. I’ve got your back!
What if discovering your creative genius was simpler than you thought? New research reveals an unexpected factor that unlocks innovation better than anything else.
Just like big artists like Taylor Swift and Herb Alpert, staying creative requires being open to trying new approaches, styles, mediums, and techniques.
Variety energizes and inspires!
Changing things up keeps both the artist and audience engaged. It’s also a great way to get out of ruts and comfort zones.
Even small tweaks to routines can freshen perspectives. The fruits of experimentation aren’t guaranteed, but the process of exploration is rewarding.
Curiosity and flexibility fuel innovation.
Know that there are always new rhythms to find if you’re willing to alter the beat.
I’ve been asked if I offer group coaching or masterminds on creativity and innovation. I don’t currently, but I’m interested in gauging interest for starting something. This would involve small group gatherings on zoom every couple of weeks for education, collaboration, and sharing ideas. With my network, I could bring in experts from different industries to give new perspectives on creativity. We could even discuss how AI impacts innovation. If a mastermind focused on growing creativity and using ideas to positively change the world sounds interesting to you, let me know! I’m eager to hear your thoughts on potentially being part of something like this. Please reach out if you’d like to explore this concept further.
A chance encounter with a hovering, darting hummingbird reveals valuable lessons for boosting our creativity.
Like these nimble birds, we can learn to shift perspectives, adapt in the moment, and feed our minds with diverse sources of information. By emulating the hummingbird’s agile and curious nature, we can see problems in new ways, make unexpected connections, and find innovative solutions.
So next time you see a hummingbird, observe how it explores, hovers and pivots, taking note of how you too can add more creative agility into your life.
Transcript Below:
I came face to face with this beautiful female red throated hummingbird .
ZenStorming 