Empowering Manager News June 2006
leadership through partnership
In this issue
Creativity and the Optimism of Squirrels
Alison's Three Top Tips for getting Creative
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Creativity and the Optimism of Squirrels
Earlier this year I hired a local gardener to clear out the garden beds that had got out of control. When Simon took away all that overgrown vegetation, he didn’t only make space for the plants. I felt I could breathe again. I was amazed at just how much the clutter in the garden had been affecting me. Asking for some help also inspired me to get back to working hard in the garden, caring for the plants, creating beautiful arrangements that please me, and removing junk. When I go into the garden now, instead of seeing a great burden of tasks I haven’t done, there is pleasure and inspiration from the natural beauty, and satisfaction at what I have created.
Taking advantage of a quieter time for work in May, as well as doing physical work in the garden, I spent some time loafing about ‘doing nothing’. At first it took some effort to drop the guilt and let myself really do nothing, even for a couple of hours. However, I did persevere. The glorious result is that my natural creativity is now bursting forth. I’m developing new ideas and projects at an almost alarming rate. Watch this space.
Which brings me to the squirrel. As I ate breakfast this morning in the sitting room, a squirrel scampered in through the open patio door. Before I go any further, you need to know that I have never seen a squirrel in my garden before. After a brief pause for the few seconds it took us both to realise what had happened, he turned tail and ran out into the garden. The surprise left me laughing with delight and in a great optimistic mood to begin my day. How could a squirrel have such an effect on my optimism? When something really unexpected happens, it reminds me of the billions and billions of possibilities in the world, and yes, anything really is possible. My brain gets the message that it’s very much OK to dream the impossible and set course to realise my biggest ideas.
Are there times when you want your creative juices to flow? Maybe for a brainstorm, a team meeting dealing with difficult issue, as an icebreaker, or just to break out of feeling stuck. Try my Three Top Tips for getting creative.
That’s all for now, I’m off to the garden again to enjoy the sunshine – will you join me?
Alison Smith CPCC
Empowering Manager
leadership through partnership
Alison’s Three Top Tips for Getting Creative
Tip 1: Make a space. Get rid of something you don’t need, actually, get rid of lots of things if you can. Rationalise the rest of your stuff so it’s organised. I find taking it in bite sized chunks that are manageable works really well. For example, just clear one filing drawer, or get one category of items sorted, say your office stationery or CD collection. Don't forget to revel in your success with completing each chunk. Make a space in your diary too, however small, to ‘do nothing’.
Tip 2: Ask for help. Everything seems more do-able once I know I don’t have to do it on my own. (useful links: my gardener, Your Life in Order, ask me)
Tip 3: Use your body. Spend even one minute moving or working with your body and it will help to wake up your brain cells to get creative. Choose your favourite dance music and shake that booty. Walk around the block. Use the Posture of Choice “Pride and Inspiration”. Dig the garden. Go for a bike ride. Jump up and down continuously for at least one minute.
Tip 4: Find something that will surprise you with the unexpected. Yes, there are four tips in Alison’s Three Top Tips for Getting Creative. Put yourself in the way of something unexpected. We can’t rely on squirrels to lift our spirits every day, so why not
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read a funny book, (one of my favourites is The Oxford Book of Humorous Prose edited by Frank Muir)
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open the dictionary and read the first definition you see
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look at The Eight Irresistible Principles of Fun (click the icon below)
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play The Story Game (coming soon!)
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listen to I’m Sorry I haven’t a Clue
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use your Get Unstuck & Get Going book or click on the icon to the right to test drive on-line
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try a round of “Call My Japanese Bluff” with your friends (contact me for a full copy of the rules)
Get the idea?
Book Alison to speak at your event
coming soon
Handling Stress talks, workshops & resources – watch the website for more.
The Story Game – great for teams and individuals who what to get creative.
THANK YOU!
To everyone who gave sponsorship for the Heritage House School visit to Japan. To find out how it went
click
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