Discovering & Nurturing Possibilities to Transform the World

The wise and awesome Kevin L. Jackson enlightened me to a crazy dilemma in my life. After some conversation Kevin explained (rightly) how I had been viewing life as a puzzle in which I had to find all the pieces. Hey, I was good at solving puzzles. Kevin suggested life is a mystery. Makes sense and has really freed up my mind to live richer.

Just read this piece in Leaders by Warren Bennis & Burt Nanus

“Managers, for the most part, deal with a mental process known as problem solving. Problem solving involves a problem, a method, and a solution that follows from the problem and method. A creative mental process occurs when neither the problem nor the method, let alone the solution, exists as a known entity. Creativity involves a “discovered problem,” one that needs to be worked out from beginning to end. The highest form of discovery always requires problem finding. This is very like identification of a new direction or vision for an organization. This is the difference we noted earlier between leaders and managers; it is the difference between routine problem solvers and problem finders.”

Thanks Kevin, I am now solving mysteries.

Picture a lifetime ago in 2003 when I penned ‘Discovering and Nurturing Possibilities to Transform the World’ as my position (in 8 words). The wonderful and talented Jacquie Shillis helped tremendously in this endeavor through wordsmithing, encouragement and believing.

A recent post on DailyLit by Tom Peters speaks volumes to get us excited to answer ‘What are you standing for?’ (and yes, I learned 8 words or less from Seth Godin).

We have the privilege to be the only person who can fulfill the adventure before us. Please be sure to allow folks like Jacquie to contribute to your success. Remember the Japanese Proverb; “None of us are as smart as all of us.”

Take this step from Robin Crow in the section on ‘Achieving the Unachievable’ in Jump and the Net Will Appear to bump your life up a notch or three. Here is the step:

“But this next chapter adds another key element. It’s a trait that will make the difference in whatever you set out to do. It’s the ability to consistently move forward toward your goals each and every day. It’s the ability to follow through. It’s the ability to take action even when you’re unsure, to be willing to trust that your net will appear. This is where faith comes in.”

Robin states it another way; “Your success in business will always be in direct proportion to your ability to take action.”

Need some ideas for building this step into a habit? Take action by getting involved here.

That is the note I wrote (& underlined) in the margin of Jump and the Net Will Appear when I read the section on The Power of a New Thought. I highlighted this part; “There’s an old saying: ‘You can’t get where you’ve never been by doing the same things you’ve always done.’ The same goes for our thoughts. We have more than 30,000 thoughts a day; the problem is that 29,900 of them are the same tired ones we thought yesterday. We can’t ascend to new heights without lifting our thoughts to new heights.”

You have the thoughts, the important thing is recognizing them. Show youself ideas are important and you have more thoughts. Build the habit of capturing your ideas to launch your life to a new level.

What are you waiting for? Write this down.

“Entrepreneurs see change as the norm and as healthy. Usually they do not bring about the change themselves. But - and this defines entrepreneur and entrepreneurship - the entrepreneur always searches for change, responds to it, and exploits it as an opportunity.” - Peter F. Drucker Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Are you tuned in to the changes in life around you? Do you habitually respond to the change?

Creative Problem Solving or CPS is a great field to invest time to learn. What is “eating your lunch” right now? What stands in your way from moving from good in your field to truly great? What can not presently be done but would launch your adventure to insane new heights?

Answers and great fun await the searching soul brave enough to embrace the “Road Less Traveled.’ Might be a great place to start reading Robert Frost’ poem.

Another fantastic reading is Jack’s Notebook by Gregg Fraley

Share your CPS stories. Thanks.

The answer that set me free.

How can I take it to a new level? Just write.

Want to find new answers? Just write.

Need to have fun? Just write.

How can I know what to do? Just write.

“Musicians must make music, artists must paint, poets must write if they are to be ultimately at peace with themselves. What human beings can be, they must be. They must be true to their own nature. This need we may call self-actualization.” ~ Abraham Maslow, 20th century humanistic psychologist

I am a big proponent of the WHY. Your why, when it really burns in your heart will get you through so many challenges. Figure out the why and the how will be there. Guy Kawasaki has an interview with Scott Berkun, Author of “The Myths of Innovation” that you need to read. The interview provides wonderful insight into HOW.

My favorites are too numerous to post here. ;-}

Thinking cap required.

We crave attention. A fantastic tool we can exercise throughout each day to shower attention on others is listening.

Do this simple experiment. Make a conscious effort to (really) listen in your conservations for a day. What might this experiment unveil?

1. Folks viewing you as smart
2. Folks liking you more
3. Folks including you more
4. Folks seeking you out
5. Moving relationships to a higher level
…Many more I assure you…

Really is no downside and you are learning a great habit. Thanks for listening.

“Despite the fact that we have known for 500 years that the earth revolves around the sun, we nevertheless continue to see the sun setting,” ~ Luc de Brabandere, The Forgotten Half of Change

You might (mistakingly) think change was hard or that change is slow. No and nope. Anybody here the same size as when they were born? Change is that natural. Just as we feed our bodies to grow/change we feed our minds so we can grow.

We have an awesome chance to lead as we ride the sea of change.

Surfs up. Make a big splash.

Thanks to Dan Pink for this tidbit…

“Left brain is logic, right brain is creativity. We don’t want our kids to compete internationally with half of their brain tied behind their backs.”

– Texas State Representative Rob Eissler, on the importance of arts education (via The San Antonio Express)

I came home last week with the American Creativity Association’s conference in Austin. The “fit” was perfect on so many levels. When I first posted my profile on this blog it felt right but seemed odd. Crazy how things were trying to get out all along.

Now that I am no longer lost (thanks to my great new friends) I can hardly wait to see what lies ahead. We can travel together if you would like to join in.

All aboard! What are you doing to grow?

Innovation is the successful exploitation of ideas.

Do you have a systematic plan of creative thinking?

Record your thoughts in a Power Journal! Make this part of each day to jot in your spiral notebook thoughts, examples, illustrations, jokes, anecdotes, analogies, metaphors, and quotations.

“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.”

Albert Einstein, Nobel Laureate

Use your gift and it will enlarge. The world needs you.