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Our years of formal schooling created habits that actually set us back when it comes to productivity and pushing ideas forward! While our instinct may be to live life as we were taught, we must consider the contrary. Some of the most productive creative professionals that we interview have a different approach to conventional wisdom.

We were taught to memorize and take copious notes. But…
Memorizing takes up mental space and leads to forgetting. Especially as we start to get senior moments, organizing information in a readily accessible manner is much more important than memorizing facts. Memorizing also consumes our precious energy for creativity. Note taking, another scholarly impulse of ours, has become a vestige skill. Amidst our busy lives, we’re lucky to complete our action steps, yet alone have time to read old notes. Read entire article.

Posted in Leadership

Some of the most productive creative minds rely on a periodic self-administered dose of randomness to stay stimulated. Stimulation is not only necessary when developing new ideas, but is also critical when refining solutions to a particular problem. Every brain benefits from new angles that often escape your traditional point of view.

Some creative professionals credit past mistakes as moments of realization. At this year’s TED conference, fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi explained that a lot of his ‘design ideas come from mistakes or tricks of the eye.’ Mistakes are illuminating because they are unexpected. But you don’t need to screw up in order to find randomness. Read entire article.

Posted in Leadership

The philosophy to “share ideas liberally” defies the age-old instinct to keep ideas secret. However, emerging businesses are likely to benefit more from sharing ideas than from withholding them. For starters, new ideas are likely to die in isolation unless they gain traction among employees and partners. Ideas are also liable to alienate your partners and customers unless they are “tested.” Of course, ideas area also likely to succeed when refined. Business leaders flush with ideas should take every opportunity to communicate new ideas broadly, seek feedback, and develop a sense of accountability.

Share your ideas liberally. The benefits from accountability and feedback outweigh the risk that someone steals your idea! Many entrepreneurs claim that they become more committed to their ideas after telling people about them! The fact is that great ideas are plentiful, and very few people have the discipline and resources to make them happen. When you are accountable to others, you are more likely to stay focused. Read entire article.

Posted in Planning & Strategy