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- P e r s o n a l _ C r e a t i v i t y -
Thought Expanders: A New Thinking Product
by Marian J. Thier
Many of us can be so busy that we don't notice what's around us; yet creative people constantly get ideas from life. Innovators are always scanning the environment for new insights. They make time to look at thoughts, ideas, others, questions, concerns. They learn to be masters of observation.
In the May 99 issue of Fast Company, Tom Peters remarks, "If you're always observing, you're always learning-and, in the process, you're collecting ideas, leads, and starting points that you can turn into a Wow Project later on. Open your eyes, and you'll start seeing project material everywhere you look. What's more, recording what you see teaches you another critical project lesson: Little things do matter."
A CEO who took his top research and development people to London. He challenged them to come up with a hundred new product ideas gleaned from the different environment. The group explored London for a week and surpassed the challenge. Most people were surprised by the ease with which ideas surfaced. They observed London through curious eyes that searched for possibilities.
At Convergence '99, Doug Hall said "stimulus increases creativity" and cited two ways to achieve this: visit the scene of the crime (see it and feel it); and borrow brilliance. His observations certainly shed light on the success of the London experience.
It isn't feasible to pop off to London whenever new ideas are necessary; so people seek other means to oxygenate minds within the context of daily life. That's where museums, theaters, products, consultants, training firms, shopping, the internet, conversation and Thought Expanders™ add value.
The Thought Expanders™ CD ROM is a product born from the notion that original thinking is a habit fed by observation. We interviewed some very original thinkers to learn how they get ideas. Responses ranged widely-never read papers, read five papers a day, spend time alone contemplating, interact often with others, relax, exercise until exhaustion, focus on one-thing-at-a-time, multi-task, and so forth.
Among such diversity, one word was consistent: "curiosity." Without fail, people described looking for what is new, examining how things act or work, combining ideas, and having interesting friends. Their responses enticed me to want to build a product that would replicate the world of curiosity.
I concluded that the product would have to provide: daily practice;increased powers of observation; heightened attention to the ordinary; open-minded approach to situations; seeing relationships between many aspects of life; appreciation for availability of ideas; recognize patterns, themes, wishes and dreams; and a willingness to be provoked.
"Thought Expanders™ is like having something between a fresh flower and a newspaper delivered to your desktop every day. You do get to expect a little treat, but you don't know what it will be. The images are arresting and the quotes are provocative. And when your treat arrives, you can takes a moment to engage and reflect and breathe it in. It doesn't intrude into your life, but it certainly invites you to look at the world and at yourself in a new way." John Smith, Organizational Learning, Bus. & Quality Processes, StorageTek
"One of the outcomes is fresh thoughts that seemingly pop into your head from nowhere."
(one of the beta-testers)
The result is a 365 "calendar" (it is not date specific) comprised of experiential activities, quotes and questions. Daily, the user is prompted to engage in new experiences, hear the words of provocateurs and observesurroundings.
We're often asked how to "make people more creative." While it isn't possible to "make" anyone creative, it is possible to enable unused creative power to surface. There are an infinite number of inspirations available to us at every turn. After all, to live a curious life is a blessing.
For more information: contact Marian Thier of Expanding Thought at (303) 440-1278 or e-mail: mjthier@xtho.com