random tots

…… Of The Creative Hero/Heroine

ONE: “Have faith in your own creativity”
Having faith even when others think you are unrealistic. However, there is a point when practicality must be observed. Faith can only be justified if research has been done so that one has clear understanding of his/her options and consequences.
I know of someone who was constantly going to his relatives for money to fund his next big thing. But sadly, none of the next big things ever played out and instead of reviewing the failures, he would turn around to accuse the relatives of not supporting him with enough funds.

TWO: “Suspend negative judgement”
Negative judgement kills creativity, whether it is negative judgement of others or oneself. That doesn’t mean that judgement can be left in the back room because ‘penetrating questions’ (see Tool Four) can only be asked with an analytical mind. However emphasis must be placed on avoiding negative judgement.

THREE: “Practice precise observation”
Be constantly observant because observations can be accumulated to provide linkages and provide inspiration. Even observing mundane things with fresh eyes can bring about a creative outburst.
The creator of 3M PostIts was walking around the office and noticed that all the secretaries had paper nailed to a corkboard. He recalled that they had a sticky product that was not working well on tape so he linked that idea with this situation and Voila! he came up with PostIts.

FOUR: “Ask penetrating questions”
Ask questions that are based on clear analytical thought. Questions that may challenge or bring about a new perspective of the idea, without putting it down and discouraging the presenter.
According to Right Management Consultants, the No. 1 skill companies seek in managers is the ‘ability to motivate and engage others’…. a close second is ability to communicate. The new managerial style for running a company is someone who asks probing questions that force the team to think and find the right answers.

source:
1. Michael Ray and Rochelle Myers, Creativity in Business
2. Geoffrey Colvin, “Catch a Rising Star”, Fortune vol. 153 no. 2 February 6 2006, p50

ONE: PREPARATION
When an idea is just beginning to germinate with the where, what and when. One seems to have an initial boundless confidence and passion in the new idea.

TWO: FRUSTRATION
When some information is available and a catch, an unexpected set of roadblocks, in the creative process is revealed. This stage challenges one to seek alternatives and even consider quitting.

THREE: INCUBATION
When there is a pause, a creative sigh, because persistence in the idea may instead produce something substandard. The idea should be left to simmer over slow heat while attention is turned to something totally unrelated.

FOUR: STRATEGIZING
When a number of new objectives and strategies are developed or brainstormed after the idea has been allowed to simmer.

FIVE: ILLUMINATION
When one of the strategies stand out and things that seemed problematic before suddenly seem obvious. The Eureka!

SIX: VERIFICATION
When the idea is presented to the audience for feedback and critique. At this stage, one must have the courage to accept criticism and be prepared to return to the Frustration or Incubation phases to restrategize if necessary.

Some people feel obliged to hammer through the idea or even give up at phase two. However, going away to doing something even as mundane as household chores, can really help to open up the creative channels again. Personally, I am probably guilty of both options because I tend to be very impatient about seeing results. I need to learn when to take a step backwards to incubate the idea and have the dourage to accept criticism at the verification phase.

One personal experience comes to mind.

I took on the project of simultaneously redeveloping the company’s website and updating the product catalogue (over 3,000 SKUs) at my previous job. They were exciting projects because the older versions had so much to improve on. Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before I reached the frustration stage.

At this point, the best thing to do would have been to turn my attention to something else. And I did try to but I was still too agitated about not meeting the deadlines that the ’something else’ failed to take away that feeling of dread in the back of my mind. On top of that, I had the added pressure/desire to prove myself because this was my largest project.

Finally, I broke down when my boss talked to me and after some advise on his part, I realized that all I needed to do was to ask him for help because my coworkers needed to know from him that they could redirect their limited time/energies to my projects and would not be penalized for setting aside their regular work. I failed to identify the root of the problem because I was too absorbed in trying to prove myself in the family business.

source: Creativity in Business, Michael Ray & Rochelle Myers