In today’s fast paced world, we get bombarded with daily to-do’s, email overload and the latest fire drill. We run from flame to flame and don’t even realize that a real emergency often being overlooked is a CREATIVE one.
There is so much pressure to DO and DO IT QUICKLY that it is easy to fall into predictable patterns and business as usual, in the quest to push things forward. Yet, the world of creativity doesn’t thrive in this “Ready, Fire, Aim” approach. It requires fresh seeds of inspiration and creative tools that will enable individuals and teams to unleash and bring their full creativity to the challenge.
Recently we were inspired by something new ourselves. It was the book Zing: Five Steps and 101 Tips for Creativity on Demand by Sam Harrison. So we thought we would focus this blog on sprinkling a few creative seeds from his book along with some of our own Sparxx tips to help feed your creative spirit. It is our hope that you try out some of the creative challenges for yourself and that the seeds you plant in the process bloom into something extraordinary!
EXPLORE: Become a sponge and feed your mind
Harrison: To create poetic music for millions of die-hard fans, the Grateful Dead found teachers in unlikely places. From Italian composers, Indian drumming, bookstores and film houses, to the roots of jazz, T.S. Elliott and Hans Christian Anderson, each member of the band explored and learned from people beyond their world and art form to inspire their music.
Sparxx: One of our favorite ideation stimuli is REFRAMES. Prior to a session, team leaders or team participants are asked to identify success stories from outside of their own category . . . others that have successfully tackled a similar challenge, that have communicated a similar benefit, or have found a unique way to communicate. During the ideation session, we create activities to help participants transform these reframes into new ideas that are fresh and provocative.
Zing Challenge! List three sources of inspiration outside your discipline that could impact a challenge you are facing…and go explore.
FREEDOM: Open your mind and welcome lots of new ideas.
Harrison: Downhill racers once feared an 80-mph run was too fast. Yet when that barrier was broken skiers feared 80mph was too slow. Dr. David Hawkins uses “M-Fields” to describe changes in our field of consciousness – in which barriers are broken and new paradigms are defined. Roger Bannister created a new M-Field when he broke the 4 minute mile. The Wright Brothers did it with flight. MacIntosh created new M-fields with user friendly computers paving the way for other category- changing devices…I-Phone, I-Pad, Kindle etc.
Sparxx: Every idea is worthy and often what may seem at first to be the craziest, offers the most potential. Withhold all judgment when you are brainstorming . . . that includes not judging others, or yourself with the voice of the inner critic. Be bold and let it flow, let it flow, let it flow.
Zing Challenge! Where can you break down assumptions and barriers to create a new “M-Field” – a new playing field fertile with new opportunities?
PAUSE: Let Your Unconscious Lead the Way
Harrison: Black Mirrors for Your Mind: After working with intense colors, early Impressionistic painters soothed their eyes by gazing into black mirrors that mimicked dark pools. This pause gave their mind a break and let the subconscious clock-in. Artists returned to their canvas with rejuvenated eyes and fresh perspectives.
Sparxx: We mimic this process in our sessions by intentionally building in breaks and percolation time for people to absorb, digest and make fruitful connections that they often don’t even know they are making. Sometimes in the name of productivity this can be construed as “wasted” time. Yet, often it is when we let the subconscious take over, that the most exciting new pathways and possibilities emerge. Just turn it over to your subconscious and be amazed.
Zing Challenge! When you are in the midst of a big project or challenge, take some time to enjoy a walk, settle into a quiet place to daydream, play a game, listen to music – anything that removes you from the task at hand and lets your subconscious do its magic.
EMBRACE: Don’t let good enough get in the way of the best.
Harrison: In the process of creation, you will come up with all kinds of ideas. Some that are good and some that are bad. Some that are serious and some that are silly. Some that are well thought out and some that are just nuggets. At some point, you need to make choices . . . weeding out the obvious, killing those that don’t match the criteria . . . chip away until you have the best idea(s) to meet your needs and goals.
Sparxx: Be patient, letting the process run its course before jumping too quickly into decision making. We have found that often the best ideas are often ones that come up when you think that you don’t have any more…as this requires that you stretch beyond your usual patterns and modes of thinking to find a more creative solution. This is precisely why for ideation sessions we structure multiple rounds of creation using a variety of tools and stimulus to foster new connections and possibilities. Don’t stop when you think you have the idea . . . keep going!
Zing Challenge! Come up with three ideas to address a challenge you are facing. Now put those aside and let them go, and challenge yourself to come up with three more.
LIFE: Breathe life into your ideas, add flesh, bones and above all else Heart!
Harrison: Polish up the idea until it really shines. When you share your idea with others, be passionate . . . tell stories . . . explain how ideas meet objectives . . . show how the ideas will satisfy and delight consumers . . . consider potential questions and challenges and have your answers ready. Now get in there and sell like you’ve never sold before.
Sparxx: It “takes a village’” to for an idea to take hold from seed, to sprout to flower. To get these seedlings to live on, you must be able to engage others and get them as excited as you are about it. One way we recommend doing this is involving key stakeholders in the creation process as we find that nothing garners support like authorship. The collective team alignment and passion gained through the process is a fertilizing “miracle gro” as you bring your idea into the world.
Zing Challenge: Do what you can to spread the zing.
