Creativity Necessary For Strategic Vision
The May 2011 issue of Entrepreneur just arrived in the mail, and an article by John Kao caught my eye: “…A leading expert on business innovation has a radical prescription for any company serious about growth: Play Harder.” I couldn’t agree more, and this is why I’m so passionate about individuals and teams coming to Sedona to brainstorm and create through the Vision Mapping Strategies process. It’s not just about being creative. I’ve witnessed many varieties of personalities and regardless of the make or model, there is always an end goal in the creativeness, a definitive means to the vision.
Perhaps it’s re-tooling to make a better widget, or bringing value to customers, or maybe a baby boomer wanting to discover re-newed meaningful work, or anyone who seeks personal growth. The wanted transformation really doesn’t matter — it’s the ability to see things from a new perspective and to act on that aha that emerges when one is wandering by the river or hiking through an inspiring canyon.
Whenever I hike, or go kayaking in the NW, or meander any place in nature, I always carry notebook and pen because those places where I’m playing unwind all the rules and allow my mind to open to new possibilities, especially if I’ve had a niggling question about a specific item. And it’s true that I usually think in terms of vision maps because the process gives me an edifying pictorial of what my mind is evoking. (Once I caught on to my own process, squiggling on blank paper now seems necessary to sort out ideas.)
Kao has spoken the exact feelings i’ve stated for many years…”It’s about coming up with ideas that have value and execution. There’s a lot of execution in creativity. It’s not just inspiration.”
As a successful entrepreneur and vision mapping coach, I’m always asking people to “go to your edge, out of your comfort zone.” So here’s the question: If playing is not part of your repertoire, are you willing to integrate hard play into your weekly schedule? We all know it’s a necessary ingredient for balance and success. Some people just need permission to play. If you are one of those “someones,” call me and I’ll give you a verbal go for it! And you don’t have to come to Sedona, but anywhere that will free you from distractions and allow the ideas to flow. Please send me some ways that you are playing hard!
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