A few weeks ago I saw a very successful airline captain. In his own words – “I’m at the apex of my career.” He makes in excess of $200,000 annually and has the respect and admiration of everyone who knows him. Unfortunately, the stress of his position and the volatility of his industry are forcing him to consider some new options.
When we began to explore his interests, hobbies and community activities, he apologized for his lack of ideas. He struggled to explain how he had become so narrow and out of touch – his best description was that his own “success” had “neutered my creativity.”
Unfortunately, high levels of academic and positional success often narrow rather than expand our ability to see new opportunities. Physicians, attorneys, dentists, pastors and accountants are notorious for missing the changing options around them because they are so focused on doing their all-consuming work in the same repetitive way.
We must be open to new ideas and inspiration. The seeds of new opportunities abound as we just look around with new eyes. “The real act of discovery is not in finding new lands, but in seeing with new eyes.” — Marcel Proust
Here are some helpful ways to birth new ideas. I try to do all of these regularly:
- Take a cold shower
- Spend time in solitude
- Listen to great music
- Hear a joke and share it
- Spend time playing with children
- Just stop and observe nature
- Take a leisurely walk
- Pause for inner reflection
- Pay attention to your dreams
- Go see a movie
- Watch a sunset or sunrise
- Read a great book
- Talk with an elderly person
A couple of years ago I purchased the rights to an out-of-print book, The Little Book of Big Ideas. It’s a wonderful compilation of ways to stimulate our creativity. We’re going to update it and revive it for your enjoyment – stay tuned.
If your creativity has been “neutered” just commit to reversing that process. No surgery necessary – just change your thinking and activities.
Need some help putting your own creative ideas to work? Try reading No More Dreaded Mondays
Dan- I’m not sure if you heard Dave Ramsey’s recent interview with Seth Godin, but your words remind me of their conversation. So many people think that “If I just this or that, life will be perfect”. And when they get there, it’s empty because they didn’t have a purpose. The most important part, it seems, is grow and challenge yourself daily.
Vincent – I did indeed listen to Dave’s interview with Seth – always great stuff.
A good list, but most importantly, I agree with the change in thinking. Our thoughts set the sail, determining our course.
Over the last two months I’ve been doing a lot of running and walking. I’ve noticed my creativity seems to have increased during this time.
Dan, that post really hits home! I’m an attorney with 20+ years of experience. It’s hard to break out of that work cycle to try something new, partly because I have so much time and effort invested in my career. But I’m finding time to regain my creativity and consider new ideas.
I keep an “idea journal” that includes where I am and what I’m doing when I have new ideas. After several entries, I saw a pattern – when I get outside my office and in a place of natural beauty (a lake, river or mountain setting) I come up with my best ideas. I call this my “innovation environment”. I visit as often as I can, and visualize being in those locations when I can’t get there in person.
I’m looking forward to your updated book on ideas.
Steve – sounds like you’re giving yourself the opportunity to see things in new ways. That’s always an exciting process, especially when we recognize we’ve maybe created some ruts in our normal routine. Enjoy the journey!