"The world is but a canvas to the imagination" - Henry David Thoreau

We've gone pretty deep into some heavy innovation management subjects as of late, so why don't we lighten things up a bit this week and talk about a creativity technique that I frequently use when I am looking to push the envelope of my imagination a bit.

I call it the "Words That Teach" technique and, while it isn't really a problem solving technique, I find that I am usually much improved at problem solving after spending some "personal time" with this method.

What I usually discover when I am feeling less than creative or imaginative is that I am focusing too much on process, procedure, policy, goals, deadlines, etc.  In order to give myself a mental break from those imagination-limiting activities, I will find a quiet place and simply draft a list of words, thoughts, feelings and/or emotions that inspire me at that moment.  I'll also allow words that are supportive of creative thinking as well.  Here's my most recent list:

Magic	Pixie Dust	Dreams
Vision	Adventure	Wish
Impossible	Believe	Memories
Child-Like	Welcome	Make Believe
Gifts	Legacy	Journey
Hope	Desire	Inspiration
Knowledge	Longing	Uniting
Create	Lead	Help
Assist	Learn	Re-invent
What if?	Why not?	Let's try it
Curious

Typically, there will be a number of words that repeat from list to list as I conduct this exercise with myself.  Where I really start to pay attention is with the new words that pop into the list.  For example, on the list above, the words gifts, legacy and journey were new.  At the time of drafting this list, I was really getting frustrated at the direction my day job was taking me compared to my desired direction.  This list helped me understand that I needed to start doing something to move myself back on the path of my passion and purpose regardless of where I worked. 

Although I have tried to bring this exercise into a corporate setting, I really haven't found much success.  This really is a personal creativity/growth exercise.  And to be honest, now that I think about it, isn't corporate creativity just a collection of personal creativity?  Sometimes I think organizations really do forget about this fact. 

Organizations have absolutely zero intellectual capacity...only the people who work within those organizations have the intellectual capacity.  By improving your personal creativity, or supporting the improvement of your employee's personal creativity, you are fueling your own organizational creativity.

Have a GREAT week!!!