FURTHERING CREATIVITY – A TALE OF TWO KEYS (PART 2)

May 10, 2012 – In Part 1 of this article, we quoted Steve Jobs’ definition of creativity (“simply connecting things”) and began a discussion of the two keys which further your ability to open the doors of creativity. The first key is developing a broad perspective which will lead to identifying greater numbers of dots to connect. The second key to creativity will help us determine how to connect those dots.

“See here how everything
Lead up to this day
And it’s just like any other day
That’s ever been”

From the Grateful Dead song “Black Peter” lyrics by Robert Hunter. One day gives rise to the next day. Every day derives from preceding days; every event owes its occurrence to past events; every innovation and invention exists simply because someone made a connection with the past.

So what exactly is this second key to creativity?

On this issue, as on many others, I am indebted to my first philosophy professor, John J. McDermott, whose Philosophy 101 course began with the pre-Socratics and ended with Nietzsche – a span of 2,500 years covered in a single college semester. McDermott took the Hegelian approach to history and emphasized the connectivity of history and philosophical ideas; namely understanding one era requires an understanding of previous eras. Once that approach was appreciated, the next task was to understand how the succeeding generation built on the work of its predecessors. For this, McDermott posited two types of minds. First is the wildly imaginative and creative mind which takes a leap way ahead of the current thinking and then builds the bridge back to the present, i.e., delineates a dot ahead of the current thinking and then connects that dot with the dots of the present reality. Determining that future dot is the spark of creativity which cannot be easily taught. The second mindset is one which sees a pattern from the past and identifies what might be a succeeding logical step. The creative aspect comprises both identifying the dot as well as utilizing the dot, i.e., connecting the dot with the currently existing dots. In essence, this mindset may be thought of as an exercise in logical sequences and consequences similar to questions found in many standardized exams (SAT’s, LSAT’s, GRE’s, etc.), and as such is a more learnable form of creativity.

And this brings us back to Steve Jobs. Creativity is just connecting things. To be sure, connecting things, the dots, is not simply a matter of linear thinking. Or rather, strictly linear thinking might narrow our perspective which then might narrow our choice of outcomes. We need to broaden strictly linear thinking, which gives rise to the second key.

Thinking out-of-the-box is the second key. Remember that brainteaser involving connecting nine dots (three lines of three dots each) with four lines without lifting the pen from paper? The only way to solve that problem is to extend the line drawn past some of the dots, that is to think and draw lines out-of-the-box created by the nine dots. And yet when presented with this task, most people confine themselves to the box of nine dots and do not venture past those invisible lines.

This brainteaser is a good metaphor for the way many of us live our lives. We get stuck in patterns of behavior and thought which at times tends to narrow rather than broaden our perspectives. We become stuck in the boxes of our patterns. We fail to see new possibilities. Our creativity is stifled. And with stifled creativity, innovation as well as personal achievement and growth are hindered. You can see how limiting this approach to life is.

Creativity, then, is a simply a matter of connecting the dots and has two keys:

• Broadening your perspective allows for identifying more dots.
• Thinking outside the box allows for more diverse ways to connect the dots.

So, my challenge to you this month is to exercise furthering your creativity daily. In all your daily tasks, consider your choices as a series of dots to connect. Think broadly and identify as many dots as you can, some from the past leading up to this day, and some in the future along a path you’d like to travel. Then when striving to connect the dots, think outside the box and don’t constrain your thinking to patterns from the past.

The next article will delve into the practical applications of this process in more detail.

Until then …

Consider/Create the Possibilities.

Adam J. Krim
www.resipsa.net

FURTHERING CREATIVITY – A TALE OF TWO KEYS (PART 1)

April 25, 2012 - It was the best of solutions. It was the worst of solutions. If only I were more creative, I would have crafted the perfect solution. Pardon my paraphrasing Dickens, but this sentiment, although perhaps not universally experienced, bears consideration as a lead in to the question underlying this blog:

What is creativity and how many of us recognize our own creativity?

The word “creative,” often conjures up the image of an angst driven artist. Not surprisingly, many people are wary of thinking of themselves as creative types. And yet what often follows from living a non-creative life is a feeling of rote – one step after another – monotony – without the freedom, or the ability, to freely express and live our own individuality.

How limiting therefore is this belief that creativity is only for the artistically inclined? Those of you who follow these blog postings know how important a broad perspective is. Not surprisingly then, the first key to creativity is to develop a broader perspective. So let’s broaden the perspective of the nature of creativity and how to access this ability just a tad.

Steve Jobs was quoted as saying that “creativity is just connecting things.” To be creative we merely need the ability to connect the dots. Which dots to connect and in what manner will determine the value of each particular moment of creativity. How then do we determine which dots to connect and in what manner?

Consider whether the super specialization rampant in today’s world is conducive to or an anathema to creative thought. Although there are some benefits to super specialization (carving out a specialized niche is helpful for the practitioner to be recognized as an expert), the more one specializes the narrower one’s perspective becomes and the fewer options are readily apparent. Even our system of higher education supports the concept of more generalized knowledge base. Unlike universities throughout much of the world, American colleges are, for the most part, liberal arts institutions where students are required to learn varied disciplines in addition to their declared majors. The underlying rationale for this system is to encourage the production of broadly educated people.

Modern research has also shown us that creativity requires cross pollenation from diverse fields. See How To Be Creative, by Jonah Lehrer, http://on.wsj.com/zvUCgJ. The more knowledge we acquire the broader our pool of information. The broader and deeper our pool of information, the more resources we have at our fingertips. The more resources at our disposal the greater the range of our choices. And the greater the range of choices, the more fertile the ground for creativity. Take the recent announcement that “nearly half the new MCAT’s will focus on squishier topics in two new sections: one covering social and behavioral sciences and another on critical analysis and reading. ”Pre-Med’s New Priorities: Heart and Soul and Social Science http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/15/education/edlife/pre-meds-new-priorities-heart-and-soul-and-social-science.html. The medical establishment has begun to realize that included in the recipe for a good doctor is more than merely knowing hard science. The human element, the “bedside manner,” knowing what message to deliver and how to deliver it, are integral parts of the mixture. By requiring medical students, and by extension doctors, to broaden their knowledge base, they will have greater tools to create more options – more dots to connect – in crafting ways to treat their patients.

The first key to creativity is therefore to develop a broad perspective. The broader your perspective the more dots you will be able to identify. For each task you face, exercise creativity by practicing broadening your perspective and identify as many dots – options – as you can. The secret to identifying the options is to avoid censoring or otherwise weighing among the various options you come up with. To do this, clearly delineate the goal the projected options, dots, are intended to accomplish. At this stage the only requirement is that each option identified will in fact accomplish the goal. Later on in the process there will be time to consider choosing the best option.

And what about the second key? For the answer to that question, read Part 2 of this topic.

Consider/Create the Possibilities.

Adam J. Krim
www.resipsa.net

The Aimless Pursuit of Nothingness Or The Purposeful Creation of Somethingness

March 5, 2012 – Recently, while reading a review of Prof. Lawrence Krauss’ latest book, A Universe From Nothing, I was struck with the apparent similarities between the Universe and human experience. Krauss challenges the common assumption that nothingness is more natural than somethingness, and posits that science can explain how and why there is something in the Universe. If we were to fully delve into this cosmological issue, we need an understanding of the true nature of nothingness. According to Krauss, there are three types of nothingness: First, there is the nothingness of empty space. Second, is the nothingness of no space or time. Third, is the nothingness where even the laws of physics are absent.

As I haven’t yet read A Universe From Nothing (to be remedied soon – Amazon order arrived the other day), I can’t write more about Krauss’ theories. The opening question (challenging the assumption that nothingness is more natural than somethingness) is fascinating however, and is what I want to discuss.

Consider the possibility that the natural state of the Universe is one of somethingness. The implication is that the time of nothingness, before the Big Bang, was the anomaly. So what happened? Whatever the nature of the nothingness before the Big Bang, the Universe proactively decided, anthropomorphically speaking, to create reality – the reality after the Big Bang – which would lead to the realization of Its potential.

The parallels to our lives are apparent. Just as the natural state of the Universe is one of somethingness, and steps needed to be taken for that natural state to ensue, so too in the realm of human existence. Rather than aimlessly pursuing the nothingness of non-action (thereby trying in vain to avoid change) we should be proactive – take purposeful action – to ensure that we create conditions in our lives for optimal realization of our full potential.

Quantum physics teaches us that we are made up of cosmic dust and as such are physically composed of the same stuff as the Universe. And following Krauss’ theory that somethingness can be explained, we are like the Universe in that we too must purposely create our lives and ensure that the conditions for reaching our full potential exist.

Be purposeful. Be the creator of the somethingness of your life. Be the Universe.

Consider the Possibilities.

Adam J. Krim
www.resipsa.net

Guest Blogger: Karen McMahon – Foster Healthy Communication

February 28, 2012 – I am pleased to announce that Res Ipsa Moments will host guest bloggers from time to time. Our first guest blogger is Karen McMahon, a colleague and fellow iPEC coach, with a blog entitled “Foster Healthy Communication.”

Consider the Possibilities

Adam J. Krim
www.resipsa.net

Foster Healthy Communication

Don’t make assumptions. We often react to our perception of our loved one’s actions or words and completely misinterpret their meaning. For instance, “If he loved me, he would take the trash out, it’s all I ask!”, or “the one night I watch sports with the guys she nags at me, she doesn’t appreciate all that I do…”  In each of these statements, the speaker is looking for acknowledgement and validation.  What might the receiver of these statements hear? Stop and question your interpretations.

How true is it that:

• If your spouse does not take out the garbage, he doesn’t love you?
• If your wife is asking you to stay home instead of going out with the guys, that she doesn’t appreciate you?

And for the person making the statement, what are you really trying to say?

• It makes me feel heard and loved when you do little things like taking out the garbage.
• I feel appreciated for what I do and respected when you understand I need my time away from the family.

Instead of talking about our feelings, we end up fighting over money, sex, chores or the kids.  Yet, it is always how we feel that is at the core of the problem. If you talk things out candidly and focus on how you feel instead of the details of the situation, small upsets can turn into blessings; opportunities to communicate and grow closer.

Be completely present and listen to what your partner is saying – don’t be constructing your response while they speak.
To make sure you understood them, repeat to your partner what you heard them say and ask them if you understood them correctly.

Often what we hear and what the other person said are two different things.  Reflecting back one’s words during a conversation helps to foster clear communication and deeper appreciation of one another.

The average couple spends more than 10 times more time watching TV than talking to their spouse about their relationship. Put time aside to talk to you children and partner about what is going on in your relationship. Specifically, how you are feeling and what you want and need from the other and you will see your relationship grow deeper and stronger.

We would love to hear your thoughts on the struggles you have had with communication in your marriage.

Karen McMahon, Certified Divorce Coach & Master Energy Practitioner, wrote this post. Karen is the founder of KM Life Coaching and co-author of “Navigating Your Divorce: A guide to the Legal, Financial and Emotional Basics,” a free ebook. Karen’s passion is to work with men and women going through the divorce process; helping them navigate the difficulties while focusing on personal growth and embracing the opportunities that lie ahead.

The Power of Venting

February 9, 2012 – While reading an article today on breaking impasses in mediation, the question was raised whether or not venting helps people get past their emotions in order to reach an agreement. Although the author of the article suggests that venting is detrimental, it is an interesting question nonetheless. The crux of the issue is whether venting really clears the air to enable true communication, or whether venting exacerbates the emotional mindset thereby blocking communication. For without true communication, no agreements can be reached.

We’ve all encountered venting. The wife at a mediation session, after venting about how her husband never listens to her, concluding that if he only would listen to her they wouldn’t be getting divorced. The teenager venting about how her life is so awful because her parents did this or that, when in reality she is upset from a fight with a friend. You find yourself venting to your (spouse/child/employee/friend) and as your vent escalates, you begin heaping additional criticisms from past events and past conducts of that person.

The power of venting is all encompassing. In minds stuck in negativity, venting stymies all communication and progress because, by airing the grievance, venting keeps the emotional level high and fans the flames of the controversy while maintaining the distance between the two people. In more positively oriented minds, venting allows the dispute to be diffused by letting the air out of the sails of the controversy. The venting allows the person a platform to be heard. Having been heard, the person venting may enter a state of calmness. Then, and only then, is the situation ripe for a resolution.

Of course, both people need to be of a similar, positive mindset for progress to ensue. The ventor needs the platform to be heard and the ventee needs to actually listen and hear. Too often the ventee shuts down, at times accompanied by a rolling of the eyes, and ceases to listen. And when the ventor notices the ventee’s reaction – and I guarantee the ventor will notice – the venting gets notched up to the proverbial 11.

We are dealing with communication and as such both parties to the conversation must employ the appropriate mindsets to achieve a mutually beneficial, win-win, resolution.

(For simplicity’s sake, I’ve used an example of a two sided conversation. Remember, the same rules apply to our internal conversations. So when we feel the need to vent about some aspect of our lives we should strive to learn effective tools to enable the vent to be of actual assistance in our achieving our goals.)

However the issue is formulated, someone in the throes of an intense emotional state of mind is incapable of fully hearing the other person or of thinking clearly enough to navigate the intricacies of true communication. Incapable that is until the person effects a shift in mindset. The shift called for is threefold: calmness; awareness; and mindfulness. Calmness helps keep you focused even as you remain aware of your emotions or if your conversation partner gets heated and emotional. Awareness allows you to accurately gauge your staying true to your goals and values. Mindfulness allows you to keep tabs on the conversation’s staying on course and not getting sidetracked to irrelevant or ancillary issues.

Achieving the mindsets of calmness, awareness, and mindfulness takes time, practice, and patience. Old habits are being replaced by new, more productive habits. And as we discussed in previous blogs, developing new habits takes time and effort. It is easier said than done. Yet it is attainable.

Valentine’s Day is next week. Give your loved ones a true gift of love and work towards a mindset shift which will transform venting into a tool for effective communication. The key to effective communication is staying focused on achieving the goal of the conversation. Calmness, awareness, and mindfulness are the tools which will help you stay the course and, like the Dude, abide.

Consider the Possibilities.

Adam J. Krim
www.resipsa.net

Groundhog Day

February 2, 2012 – Today is Groundhog Day and Punxsutawney Phil told us to expect another six weeks of winter. Would that knowing the future could be so easy and effortless. Alas, we mortal humans don’t have it so easy. We are charged with taking control of our lives, making decisions, and effecting the change we wish to see in our lives. Doing so requires taking stock of our lives and reaching an awareness that there are things we wish to change. Next is deciding what things to change (setting goals), and then planning how to effect those changes (devising the all important action plans).

There are many of us who manage to get to this stage and then sit in bewilderment when things don’t work out the way we envisioned. Recognizing that change is desired and setting plans to effect that change is only part of the solution. The most important, missing piece of the puzzle is Zitsflaish (Yiddish for patience – literally sitting meat); sitting with the plan and working on it until you achieve your desired results. That is the hard work. It is so easy to raise our hands in defeat and exclaim that we can’t change life, that this is just the way things are, that this is the nature of the beast. Giving in to this temptation dooms us to living and reliving Groundhog Day everyday.

Zitsflaish. Sitting with your action plan, like a slab of meat on a table, tweaking it as necessary, requires patience, belief in yourself and the overall plan, and perseverance in the face of minor setbacks. Developing this ability will guide you to effecting the change you want, and you will thereby avoid the fate of waking every morning to the “same old same old” as Phil Connors did until he, not only realized that he can change but, actually worked long and hard to make the change.

Previously we discussed this concept in “Tis Easier Said Than Done,” “Creatures of Habit,” and “Speak the Same Language” to name a few blogs. Look for next week’s blog on how this concept comes to play in “The Power of Venting.”

Consider the Possibilities

Adam J. Krim
www.resipsa.net

Stress Revisited

January 25, 2012 – One all too common challenge faced by everyone is stress. Stress is an integral part of life. Stress motivates us to accomplish our goals. As such, stress is desirable. Left unchecked, however, stress has the power to overwhelm thereby blocking accomplishments and often leads to adverse health conditions by causing elevated adrenaline and cortisol levels for prolonged periods of time.  

If all this sounds familiar, it is. I previously wrote several pieces on harnessing stress to achieve success. See Res Ipsa Moments Blog dated May 7, 2010 and newsletter articles from May and June 2010 (www.resipsa.net/newletter.htm). In those writings I delineated several approaches to dealing with stress and suggested that an interactive approach to stress was the most effective way to harness stress and successfully achieve goals.

Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal published a relevant article (“When Stress Is Good For You” http://on.wsj.com/xI6kee) describing the science behind stress management, the benefits conferred by reasonable stress levels, and the harmful effects of prolonged high stress levels. One of the more interesting studies discussed dealt with college students who were coached to believe that feeling stress before taking an exam was natural and could improve performance on the exam. The control group was not coached. The coached group of students posted higher levels of salivary amylase, a protein maker for adrenaline that is linked to episodes of beneficial stress. More importantly for our purposes, the coached students scored higher on the both the practice exam in the lab and in the real exam a few months later.  

It is gratifying to see how scientific research lends credence to coaching modalities.  

There is truly nothing new under the sun. Every day brings new challenges and so every day is different. Yet, each day’s unique challenges offer us pathways to realize opportunities. Our goal is to adopt the mindset which will provide us with the resilience and broad-minded thinking to turn daily challenges into opportunities which will then propel us to success.  

Consider the possibilities.

Adam J. Krim

www.resipsa.net

Speak the Same Language

January 1, 2012 - Today is New Year’s Day, a time to contemplate resolutions for the coming year. Topping many lists are traveling to foreign countries and learning a new language. And what’s the biggest challenge in traveling to a foreign country? First and foremost is the difference in language, which more often than not is as foreign as the landscape. Indeed, the ability to effectively communicate while traveling can spell the difference between a great vacation and an awful one.

What about communicating while at home? We are, after all, social creatures who are inherently tied to our linguistic ability. We experience and learn about the world and other people through our use of language. Miscommunication and misunderstanding might be expected while speaking a foreign language. But how is it that we, even while speaking our native language, so often misinterpret and misunderstand each other?

The source of our misunderstandings and misinterpretations often lies in unshared premises and assumptions. We might use words differently from one another. Our agenda in our discussions or negotiations might be different from our partner’s. In short, we fail to speak the same language.

Jonathan M. Hyman, in his article “The Roots of Impasse in the Mind of the Mediator,” delineates four different mental modes, approaches, to explain this phenomenon:  

         1. Positional/distributive – I want a bigger share of the pie;

         2. Value creating – I want to help you get what you want too;

         3. Relationship – I want to maintain a solid relationship with you; and

         4. Understanding – I want to be understood.

Essentially Hyman highlights the challenge of establishing true communication or negotiation when the parties operate from different mindsets, that is speak different languages. Learning to bridge this communication gap is critical not only for a mediator facilitating clients in reaching their agreements, but also for anyone engaged in conversation or negotiation. Consider any conversation you may have with your spouse, your partner, your team member, your boss, or your employee. Remember anytime you had a disagreement or failure to understand each other in a conversation. Think about what led to that misunderstanding. Consider how the conversation might have unfolded had you responded to what the other person really was concerned about by being aware of the mindset and understanding the language.

This is the goal of active listening. Listen carefully, read between the lines, when engaged in conversation or negotiation. Consider your negotiating partner’s true agenda, the true motivation, and then consider effective ways to address that concern. Doing so acknowledges and validates your negotiation partner’s mindset and makes a meeting of the minds and the reaching of an agreement more likely.

So much for understanding the other person. Now, what about yourself? How well do you know yourself – recognize your true motivations? You’re engaged in a conversation and you suddenly find yourself reacting emotionally without thinking clearly and painting yourself into a corner. How did you get to such an extreme position? Where, in the talk, did the communication get derailed? Assuming your goal was to reach an agreement, how did you lose sight of that goal and get distracted to the point of reverting to positional arguing/negotiation?

A more constructive response would be to sidestep the trap of button-pushing and keep a firm eye on the goal of reaching an agreement. In other words, keep a finger on your own pulse during the conversation, and stay true to your goal driven path of truly communicating with the other person. Stay on target. Remain in conversation mode. Continue speaking the same language.

Speaking the same language while engaging in serious, intense conversations or negotiations is a matter of maintaining the delicate balance – the dance – between your true agenda and that of your partner. It takes two to tango. It takes two (or more) to communicate and engage in conversation.

So this year, resolve to learn not a new language; but rather to speak your native language more effectively. Be aware of your partner’s mindset as well as your own. In short – remain in effective conversation mode, maintain the balance and enjoy the dance.

Consider the Possibilities

Adam J. Krim

www.resipsa.net

Creatures of Habit

December 6, 2011 – We are all creatures of habit, which is to say, we are all created by, and the products of, our habits. Habits, by and large, are good things. They provide the necessary shortcuts which enable us to perform our daily, routine tasks efficiently. Consider the effort it take to come up with a new plan of action, with a new course of conduct. Consider the efficiency of utilizing the plan in various situations. This, then, is the benefit of habits: They free us from the cycle of reinventing the wheel every time we want to take action.

Questions: Are all habits good? How can we determine when a good habit goes bad?

Answers: No, not all habits are good. Determining when a good habit goes bad is easy: When the habit continually leads to an undesired result.

The most common cause of a habit going bad is a changed circumstance for which the habit is no longer suited. We see this all the time in both our personal lives and our careers. Let’s use as our paradigm a relationship which has changed, which is winding down and ending.

A married couple develops short cuts in the way the two people deal with each other. They learn to act in certain ways and to expect certain responses from each other. In short, they develop habits in their behaviors together. These habits work well in a functional, loving relationship and allow the couple to thrive as they grow together.

But what happens when the relationship begins to unravel? Too often divorcing couples continue relating to each other with the same habits and expectations they had when the relationship was on track. They get stuck in their roles vis a vis one another. The dominant one continues imposing his/her will on the other. The subservient one continues empowering the dominant one by continually acquiescing to the other’s will or looking towards the other one for guidance and for decision making. At some point, for a healthy relationship to develop, the two individuals must learn new ways of dealing and relating to one another, i.e., develop new habits. Indeed, these new habits must emerge for there to be a successful mediation where both parties have equal bargaining power. And even after the divorce is finalized, these new habits must be firmly in place for the two people to develop their own personalities separate from the marital couple. Doing so helps reduce the stress of dealing with the “ex” and helps empower the individual to grow as a newly divorced person. This will also ensure a more even keeled post divorce relationship with the children and between the divorced parents themselves.

The key to creating and maintaining effective habits is keeping a finger on the pulse of life’s changing circumstances. “Everything is in a constant state of flux.” Recognize that change is not only inevitable; it is constant. Test your habits regularly to ensure that they are still current and relevant to your life with an eye towards achieving your desired result. Anything less will only result in a prolonged undesired circumstance. Make change effective. Make change productive. Make the change you want to see in your life. To do so, simply fine tune your habits regularly. Create your habits in order to create the life you desire. And proudly acknowledge yourself as a true creature of habit.

Consider the possibilities.

Adam J. Krim

www.resipsa.net

Breathe and Relax

October 25, 2001 - Breathe. Relax. Two key words to live your life by. The two go hand in hand. In order to truly relax, you need to breathe naturally and calmly. And to breathe naturally and calmly you need to relax. So which comes first? In reality there is no first. They happen simultaneously. With practice that is. In Taoist thought this is known as regulating without regulating. Regulate your breathing – control your breathing to be even and relaxed – without thought or active control. How is this accomplished? Well, at first, as with everything else in life, with effort. Calmly inhale for a count of five, hold your breath for a count of five, slowly exhale for a count of five and relax for another count of five. If five is too long a count, build up slowly and begin with a lower number. Over time you will find that your breathing becomes more even, more relaxed, and effortless.

So how is this relevant to our topics?

Consider your elevated stress levels at work as your project deadline approaches.

Consider your ever increasing stress levels as your teenage child alternates between yelling and ignoring you, with the occasional and strategically timed “I love you,” the only constant being the sullen look on her face.

Consider your elevated stress levels as you negotiate with your soon to be ex-spouse over the terms of the proposed parenting schedule.

Can you feel your pulse quickening and your breathing more labored? Can you see this leading to less than optimal responses to the given situation? These are the harmful effects of cortisol released in your system due to prolonged stress. Not only is this harmful to your health, but it also holds you back and impedes peak performance and productivity whether at work with your colleagues and boss, at home with your family or negotiating your divorce settlement with your spouse.

So the next time you feel stressed and operating at less than optimal levels, just breathe and relax. Or is that relax and breathe?

Consider the possibilities.

Adam J. Krim

www.resipsa.net