the shower and idea generation
When thinking about the idea sparking creativity I couldn’t help but think about where my own ideas are sparked – and quite often that’s in the shower. Why do our best ideas often come while we’re taking a shower …or walking the dog …or running to the bathroom between meetings? It seems so inconvenient.

The good news is that there is an actual reason for why this happens and in better understanding what’s underneath perhaps we can harness it and encourage it to happen during far more convenient (and needed) times throughout our day.

… the subtle suggestion of psychological distance seems to help people think outside the box. Jia, L. et al., “Lessons from a Faraway Land: The Effect of Spatial Distance on Creative Cognition,” Journal of Experimental Social Psychology (forthcoming) (Boston Globe).

The focal point of cognitive distance as it pertains to our daily creativity is that as we further ourselves physically from the problem the more able we are to tackle that problem in a creative, innovative, and out of the box kind of way.

We see this applied in actual work environments especially in more progressive ones like Google. TOMS is another great example. They are encouraged to take breaks during the day to play (to surf, bike, run…) which better enables them to tackle their work with greater innovation … not mention passion and energy.

innovation in everyday places
I think we often have a very specific idea of what creativity looks like – we either associate with it or not. This can be incredibly limiting. Creativity can be found in tackling anything and everything – it means approaching a problem in a different way. No matter the industry we all benefit from innovative solutions.

As noted there’s Google workplace culture, but that’s not realistic for everyone. So how do we apply this idea of cognitive separation in a way that works within more traditional spaces and cultures? How do we create opportunities to separate ourselves from the problem in order to be creative? How do you make it culturally acceptable for individuals and teams to creatively explore together?

mental space and time to play
In creating cognitive distance to encourage creativity and innovative problem solving the trick is to foster it in a way that works for us (our lives, work, work styles). This doesn’t have to just be physical separation it can also be mental separation. Carving out space to mentally separate from a problem or task it just as powerful as taking a physical break.

A great example of the effectiveness of mental separation came from my friend, Amy. She had worked at a more traditional foundation where they were given the opportunity to use 10% of their weekly working time to ‘take a break’ from the norm. It was time used to explore ideas, current events, other industries, and more. This fostered mental separation that was a chance to not only cultivate knowledge expansion, but also knowledge sharing.  The group shared what they had learned during the week and created the chance to participate in collective creativity. In taking a break to explore and share they were better able to apply what was learned to their own work in more innovative ways.

the creative limitations of failure

The other reason why cognitive distance makes sense and why our best ideas may happen in the shower is because it’s safe. No one judges your ideas when you’re in the shower. To be creative and innovative we have to be unafraid to fail. Fear of failure hinders creativity. We often struggle to not only separate ourselves from the challenge, but the potential failures attached to solving the problem in a different way. To be creative and innovative in our approach we not only need to separate, but also be willing to fail. Sometimes it’s the third or fourth idea that sticks.

So the next time you are up against a challenge or problem take a break. Take a walk, read The Atlantic, or something you’re simply curious about and be open to the solutions that come to mind no matter the outcome. If worse comes to worse, you can always wait for that spark of creativity to strike when you’re in the shower the next day.

Next Innovators Improv | Beyond Green
Follow the Innovators Improv on Twitter

The best words of wisdom, inspiration, motivation, and the kick-in-the-butt that I needed. I am grateful to an amazing support network of women I have come to know and am so appreciative to their generosity in time, advice, and spirit.

I could talk about the challenges and frustrations of the past few months, but that would only further the negativity that has been hanging over me. This is about forward motion and reconnecting with passion to not just make a change, but be the change.

A big thank you to the many wonderful people in my life, but especially to Amy, Lauren, Debra, and Kristin for simply being you.

Last, but certainly not least a big, big thank you to Colin who has always patiently (and persistently) told me to make it happen.

I know the tricks of working through (or avoiding writer’s block). They are invaluable to me and many others, but this isn’t going to be one of those posts.  This isn’t about breaking through writer’s block – it’s about experiencing it. It’s about allowing it to break me, and enable a break through.

overcoming hurdles and creative limitations by experiencing discomfort

We are often quick to want to push through and get to the other side of discomfort.  Whether we’re talking about writer’s block, a personal situation or professional one we try to get through uncomfortable or painful moments as quickly as possible. However, sometimes the really good stuff lives within those raw moments.

Writer’s block is something that’s experienced by many of us. It’s brought on by exhaustion, an inability to focus, lack of passion, disinterest in a subject, stress, or personal distraction. But this is your chance. Acknowledge the discomfort, allow your words to be klunky and awkward. Be free to make no sense at all and jot down a jumble of ideas. Allow yourself the time to dig deeper to find what is really preventing your words and ideas from flowing? Is it fear? Is it boredom? Is it something else entirely?

confronting my own messy little writing demons and insecurities

My writer’s block is rooted in fear. Primarily the fear of what other people think. My insecurities have gotten the better of me and I’m hesitate in my words and ideas. Plus I’m undergoing a major life transition. I have too much in my head, it’s a big tangled mess. I’m painfully untangling everything, and it’s getting messy. Words, ideas, and posts are awkwardly being assembled. It might not be pretty to read or comfortable to write, but I’m on to something. New ideas are forming and directions being taken.

Through identifying the cause of my writer’s block I am confronting my insecurities, breathing them in, experiencing the discomfort, living the questions, and working through them in an imperfect way to me and my ideas to take new form and infused with an even great sense of purpose. Feel free to bear with me, ignore me, or even join me on the journey.

[Image by dirteh fingers via Flickr]

While feedback might not always be easy to hear it presents us with an opportunity to improve and change. Creating our own personalized feedback loop can be incredibly valuable, keep us on track, and focused on achieving all we aspire for.

observe what’s going on around you

Where does feedback come from? It comes from our friends, family, co-workers, managers, professional peers, or even the barista at your favorite cafe. Feedback cues are all around us we just have to listen. Each encounter offers insight into how we behave, work, and interact with others. Are there improvements that could be made to these interactions that would have better results or simply a more positive feeling.

ask for feedback from a range of people

Are you looking to improve a specific area of your work or life? Perhaps you’re interested in taking personal stock of your strengths and reveal areas of improve. Human beings are dynamic and therefore we need feedback that’s multi dimensional. Feedback should come from a group of people that are representative of our own dynamic nature.

how to request feedback

Once you have made the decision to develop a feedback loop it’s important that you identify reviewers, reach out to them, and review the feedback received in a mindful manner. Here are a few suggestions:

Identify your goal. Before you reach out to potential reviewers, take the time to determine what you want to achieve through your feedback. Identify your goals and reasons for seeking feedback.

Develop a list of reviewers. Select ten people who you interact and work with in a variety of ways. As mentioned, this will help you to obtain a more dynamic range of information and account for declines.

Contact individually. While you might keep the email or call content similar this is not an appropriate time to send a mass email. Personalized attention and requests are invaluable when asking for people’s time.

Say thank you. It’s important to be gracious. People are giving you their personal insights as well as their time. Remember to say thank you. Hand written thank you notes and a cup of coffee are a nice option.

Review together. I recommend reviewing feedback in one sitting once you’ve received it all. This will enable you to get a fuller picture, observe overlapping themes, and better identify strengths and opportunities.

acting upon feedback presents opportunity

Feedback is only the first step, the next step is integrating that feedback into your work, life, routine, aspirations, and practices. How can you use the feedback to improve your skills, ideas, or actions? What adjustments will you make?

Then there is the loop. Once you’ve received feedback and made the appropriate changes and/or additions you must close out the loop to determine if such changes were successful, value-added, or not quite on point. Select a few folks to check back in with. We are undergoing a constant revision and this loop better enables us to do so effectively as well as points out potential that isn’t always obvious to us.

What tips do you have for creating a personal feedback loop? What is important to be aware of when observing feedback and providing it to others?

[Image by Florian SEROUSSI via Flickr]

take a look at how you grow.
How do you improve yourself personally and professionally? Some of us grow in solitude, pulling from within, but many of us value and seek communal growth. Regardless of ‘how’, it’s important to be aware of what you need to improve and cultivate growth throughout the many facets of your own life, profession, and inner self.

others enable us to see what we can’t.
We are all capable of amazing things; handmade creations, intellectual ideas, unconditional generosity, and so much more.  However, we can benefit from the growth that comes from our community of peers. We are able to witness opportunities and potential through the honest lens of others.  Growth in many forms comes from experience and the wisdom offered by those we encounter (online or in person).

at times, we all need the support of others.
We are all undergoing a continual transformation – working to better ourselves to better serve our communities, families, and professions.  The support and motivation from a close community subset enables us to better achieve these goals or change our end-goals as appropriate.  Have you ever found yourself stuck?  Perhaps paralyzed by an idea, a question, or an insecurity.  Turning to our tribe can get us back in gear sometimes through a much needed hug or a good kick in the butt.

As evident through Twitter and the myriad of online and physical networks many of use partake in we build our close net of tribal members over time.  This group resonates with us at a deep, soulful level and is built as we navigate experiences, encounters, and networks.  Open and honest engagement aids us as we organically connect with potential tribal members. This process can’t be forced, but is cultivated through humility, and trust.

observe the tribe you are already have around you.
Communal growth can be incredibly powerful.   It can shape us as well as inspire and push us in ways that we can’t yet even image. Look around you, your tribe is probably already present, and you may not even know it.   They may have nothing in common or not even know one another other, but fulfill you in ways the many others don’t.  Open yourself to your relationships, listen to those who inspire, reach out, and nurture this community of those who push you to be better, do better.

[Image by WanderingtheWorld via Flickr]

For me, I am seeking something even greater than a community, I am seeking a tribe.  To many this is probably one in the same, but not for me.  Tribal members may come from a variety of the communities I am apart of, but these tribesmen and tribeswomen hold even greater meaning and purpose.  These are soul changes and motivators.  They reach a deeper level.  This is not to say that my communities are minimized, they just serve a different purpose and cause within my life.  Not better or worse, just different.

Satisfying a need for personal and professional growth.  I’d like to say that I am capable of doing everything on my own, but that’s far from the truth.  Growth, personal and professional, comes from the experience and wisdom of others.  It comes from acknowledging our areas (and need) of improvement and opportunity – or sometimes having those areas starkly pointed out to us.  Feedback is a gift, honest feedback from the mouth of someone we respect is an even greater gem.  It is one that we need to reflect upon and be willing to address as well as take action as appropriate.

Satisfying a need for support and motivation.  I want nothing more than to do good and be amazing.  Not in a narcissistic way, but for the betterment of society.  I often find myself stuck and paralyzed by my own ideas (or at times personal frustrations).  I am forever grateful for those who have supported and motivated me quite often when I have been unable to find the silver lining myself.

Opening myself to the journey and creation of a tribe.  Tribes develop organically over time.  We collect people, tribesmen and women, as we go through our lives.  If we’re open, honest, and giving we will soon find ourselves part of a tribe that satisfies, nurtures, and challenges the many facets of our being.  Most often when we least expect it, but when we need it the most. This process requires patience, but most importantly it means that we need to allow ourselves to be vulnerable and humble.

I often worry that I share too many of my shortcomings, insecurities, and confidence waivers.  Now I know that this only makes me human and results in the most beautiful moments and meaningful relationships.

My own tribe is a work in progress.  I do not have physical access to many of them, and some of those I have never met in person, yet they all support, shape, and inspire me daily.  These are individuals who push me to be better.  I pushing myself to be open to and trust in the developing strength, truth, and respect that is found in each of these relationships.

How do you satisfy your need for a community of tribesmen (and women), wisdom filled tribal elders, and those who will stretch you heart, mind, and soul?

[Image by MuseumWales via Flickr]

Monday through Friday we are on a very strict schedule. Up at 6 o’clock, my husband and I juggle showers, breakfast, coffee, and getting our almost seven month old ready for the day.

On a good day I have about eight hours of uninterrupted work time available before picking up my daughter, my husband coming home, and jumping into our evening routine. Am I a frazzled working mom? Nope, but I am an efficient one. We can all benefit from tips on how to work smarter (and a chance to gain back some sometimes lost sanity).

I know my priorities, both personal and professional, and what I want out of each day. I want to produce good work for my employer and push my career forward as well as spend quality time with my daughter, and relaxing evenings with my husband. Therefore I work smart.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that I work faster. It means that I need to prioritize and schedule everything during my day and week. It means that I focus on producing high quality work and eliminate anything that’s a distraction from that work. I follow three rules of thumb:

Schedule Accountability. I schedule everything! I rely heavily on Google Calendars and force myself to be accountable to the schedule that I create. Priority items get precedent and everything else fills in from there. Tasks are allocated specific windows of time – and most importantly I stick to them. I also schedule my family and personal time, including errands. It keeps me focused throughout the day and helps me to see what can, and cannot, get done.

Routine Consistency. There are only so many hours in a day and only so many workable hours. Even though we may be out the door by 8AM, I don’t actually get to settle into work until almost 9AM. I have to be efficient, and rely on a predictable and consistent routine. Each night helps to prep for the next day and each morning is the same. The quicker we can get through the morning and the more efficient we are means the more workable hours I can devote to deliverables.

Revisions and Renewal. Life and work is ever changing, and so are the needs of my family and my profession. Each weekend I look back at my calendar. I comb through how I spent my time. I take a hard look at where most of my time was spent, what unexpected items came up, or where I lost time. I think about what worked, what didn’t, and how it can be better. Then I make revisions as necessary, implement them during the coming week, and repeat as needed.

The most simple adjustment can have a dramatic impact. For example, dinners were creating unnecessary confusion. Dinners are important to us, especially since it’s one of the few times my husband and I get to relax, connect, and checkin. After a busy day we were often lacking a culinary spark of creativity and spent too much time on dinner or simply opted for takeout. The solution: we added nightly dinners to our weekly family calendar. Before we went grocery shopping we decided on the menu for the week. Not only were we able to have more efficient, and cost effective, shopping trips, but we were also better able to enjoy our evenings together during the week no matter how busy.

Most of us are diligently trying to navigate how best to get the most out of our day. As we do this, remember to be kind to yourself. Even if the to do list doesn’t always get done each day we all deserve to take a break and give ourselves the credit we deserve for what we have accomplished as working moms and dads.

[Image by Ali Nassiri via Flickr]

Time to mix things up a bit. We’re headed to the Midwest (as of today). I’ll be resurfacing once we’re settled – or at least once our bed is unpacked and the Internet is up and running. For now, relax and enjoy the rest of what summer has to offer.

Be well.

(Wonderfully appropriate photo, courtesy of ChepeNicoli)

A little corner where I can share my love for all things colorful, fun, and pretty. Enjoy!