The Nature of Creativity — Third Thought — Page 2 Third Thought

Baby Bricolage

24th of January ~

Here is a whimsical example of using the materials at hand. Take your baby, some things from around the house and add imagination.

Adele Enersen tries to imagine her baby Mila’s dreams. While some may call it ‘babyploitation’, I call it charming.  Bravo Mom!

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A Clog in the Creative Flow

16th of November ~

Lately, I’ve been investing in some excellent education for myself.  I’m learning how to Make Money in My Jammies and Fast Tracking to success with the National Speakers Association.  Last week I upgraded my mac (the old one was over 4 years old) and expanded my network storage.  I’ve been filming some interviews (thanks Sara and Scotty!) and I am poised to start the new year with a roar.

So, what’s stopping me?

In a word: Tamoxifen.  I am not getting a nanobit of estrogen and it’s making me….well, not my happy-go-lucky self.

The reality is that the technical conversions have been beyond frustrating.  I don’t have the energy to make money in my jammies because I’m spending the day in my jammies wishing I felt better.  This morning I walked to the library to pick up a book they are holding for me  and it was closed for another hour.

I’ve been Maggie McWeepie the past few weeks but the CLOSED sign just made me chuckle.

OK.  I get it.  It’s just not happening for me right now.  There is a clog in my creative flow.

That’s my story at this time.

Maybe you have your own story.  Whether it’s illness, family obligations or the gods on Mt. Olympus having some sport, sometimes you just can’t build momentum.

And that’s a good time to step away from what you’re doing.  Take a rest.  Reconsider the urgency.

Creative flow will come back.

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The Art of the Slow Hunch

13th of October ~

One of the myths of the creative process is the Eureka Moment.  The lone genius, working away in the lab, is gifted with a sudden insight. 

Eureka!  I have found it!

Steven Johnson, in Where Good Ideas Come From, The Natural History of Innovation, examined innovations throughout history to discern patterns.  Previously, Mr. Johnson has written in depth about the discovery process in The Invention of Air and The Ghost Map.   I had the chance to hear him speak last week and found him thoroughly engaging.  He is well steeped in the body of knowledge and its relevance to the innovation today.  Among Johnson’s insights:

The Art of the Slow Hunch

Innovations rarely come from the Eureka Moment.  Instead, significant breakthroughs are preceded by years of thought.  Johnson describes the slow hunch that is pondered and researched  over time.

The Value of Collaboration

Significant breakthroughs are often attached to a single name.  Yet, as Johnson poked about for the deeper story he found most Lone Inventors had a collaborator.  Joesph Priestly, the scientist who discovered oxygen, had Ben Franklin (yes, the Founding Father Franklin) as a collaborator.

Here’s an excellent summary from his publisher.

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May I Suggest Something Lovely?

8th of October ~

This is LOVELY.

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A Sensory Stroll

22nd of September ~

Today or tomorrow… slow…down.
Practice focusing on what you are doing this very moment.

Give yourself 30 minutes to take an excursion while completely tuned to your senses.

To begin:

Formulate a question you want answered and then close your eyes.  Allow yourself 60 seconds of total relaxation and let the answer rise up.  Write down whatever comes–a feeling, an image, or a simple phrase.

Now, Take a walk.  Walking is a wonderful way to become centered, focused and calm.  Stop periodically to tune into your senses.  Here are your prompts:

Look. When a scene becomes too familiar you may stop seeing your surroundings.  Find another way to look.  Choose a view and let your eyes go soft.  Search for directional lines.  Seek out a certain color.  Observe how the light strikes a surface.  Look only at the shadows or negative space.

Smell. Your sense of smell has close connections with the parts of the brain that process emotion and make associations.  For that reason is is the most evocative of the senses–a mainline to memories.  Seek out the scents that have associated memories for you: the smell of cinnamon,  Mom’s perfume, play-doh.  Or breathe deeply and identify the scents of your current surroundings.

Listen. We tune out sounds to keep our sanity.  Yet, wherever you are, you are surrounded by sound.  What do you hear?

Touch.  Feel the nub of your sweater and the roughness of the concrete.  Sweep your hand over a smooth table.  Pet a dog or a cat and relish the soft, warm fur.  Close your eyes and attune to your sense of touch.

When you have completed your Sensory Stroll you might want to go back to your original question.  Now that you have had a chance to relax and allowed your brain to feast on new stimui you might have some new insights.

Or, you could just take a nap.

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