"Our greatest natural resource is the imagination of children" - Walt Disney

Earlier today, I was rummaging through my vast library of books, white papers, notes and other materials related to creativity, innovation and project management.  I've filled a good sized closet with reading material and research over the last ten years.  My rummaging was productive, although I didn't actually find what I was originally looking for...instead I came across my "Reporter's Notebook" from my April 2000 visit to the Disney Institute where I attended  The Disney Approach to Managing for Creativity and Innovation program.

You may remember that it was this visit to the Disney Institute (@DisneyInstitute on Twitter)  that sparked the inspiration that resulted in the foundation of Think For A Change, LLC. and my being "here" today...sharing my thoughts with all of you and working with clients to improve their innovation management systems.  One of my most vivid memories of the program was getting a behind the scenes look and private screening of the "Honey, I Shrunk The Audience" attraction presented by Kodak at EPCOT in Walt Disney World.  Currently, this attraction is closed in preparation for the re-presentation of the old Captain EO film in memory of Michael Jackson.  However, back in the day, the pre-show (that's a Disney term for keeping people too busy to notice they are still waiting in line) was a great presentation on video monitors using photographic images (...sponsored by Kodak...get it?) along with great tips to spark your imagination.

My "Reporters Notebook" (that's a workbook from the Disney Institute to keep attendees too entertained to realize they are learning something) lists the screen captions from this pre-show.  What a great refresher for improving both individual and corporate imagination:

How to Improve Your Imagination

• Use it
• Ask questions
• Take risks
• Take a picture
• Take a vacation without leaving your home
• Be curious
• Expect the unexpected
• Invent your own language
• Think Backwards
• Doodle
• Build a model without the instructions
• Look at the world from a different angle

Exercises for Your Imagination

• Stretch your mind
• Play "what if"
• Pick up a camera and see what develops
• Stay up all night
• Write with your opposite hand
• Take a blank piece of paper, then do something with it
• Make believe
• Remember, things aren't always what they seem

How to Jump Start Your Imagination

• Think about something else
• Talk to yourself
• Talk to the animals
• Look at the big picture
• Look to nature for inspiration
• Play
• Be playful
• Look at the world through the eyes of a child

How to Come Up With An Idea

• Brainstorm
• Don't procrastinate
• Turn your thinking inside out
• Notice the little things
• Get in touch with your inner child
• Loosen up
• Stay focused
• Daydream
• Paint something
• Use all of the colors of your imagination
• Imagination comes in many colors

The First Rule of Imagination:  There Are No Rules

• If you can imagine it, you can do it
• Believe in yourself
• Never say never
• Imagine the possibilities
• The possibilities are endless

One of the really cool things about the internet...there is a record of this great pre-show on YouTube for others to enjoy and get inspired as I was...



So...how about it?  What are you going to do improve your imagination?  What tip will you use to come up with an idea?  Which rule are you going to break, ignore or bypass? 

Corporate imagination, new ideas, innovation...they all start in someone's imagination...be that someone!