Good Failure (Part 2): Fast & Flexible

If you think simply learning from your failures will lead to success, you are wrong. “Wait just a minute,” you might say. “Grandpa Wilbur’s axioms of life never steered me wrong when I lost the little league game while trying to catch a fly ball with my face.” We all remember when someone picked us up when were down by … Read More

When is failure a good thing?

It is usually written on a poster of inspiring scenery or something depicting triumph in the face of strong odds. It can take the form of a mountain climber at the summit or a tired and ragged athlete shedding tears of joy over a championship trophy. It is most often found in a cheap black frame hanging in the office … Read More

Blankets & Telescopes

Have you ever stared up into the night sky and let your mind wonder “what if….”? When I was in college, I explored several academic disciplines beyond my major in public policy. One of those subjects that drew me in quickly was astronomy. I became fascinated by the vast openness of the universe. More importantly, my other studies were focused … Read More

Focus & Just Say No!

The recent death of Nancy Reagan caused me to reflect on three of her most famous words, “Just Say No”.  As any child of the 1980’s will remember, these were the words Nancy Reagan told us to remember in an effort to stem the drug epidemic sweeping the country. As I reflect back, however, the First Lady’s words may have … Read More

Creative Spaces are a “Beach” to Find

Beach image

At Think Space, we spend a lot of time thinking about how to create the best environment for meetings and retreats so that our clients are inspired to think differently, gain new perspectives, and create new ideas. After people have a great meeting at Think Space, I often get asked, “How do I change my personal environment to inspire creative … Read More

Where Did the Idea Come From?

As my toes began to thaw and the feeling came rushing back to my fingers, I looked across my dimly lit but warm ice fishing shanty and saw my new toy: an ice auger powered by my electric drill. Immediately, I began to wonder “where did the idea come from?”  It is a simple idea that will no doubt “sell … Read More

A long time ago, in a space far, far away….

Like many boys who grew up in the 1970’s and 1980’s, I went to the theater this holiday season to recapture a glimpse of my childhood through the new Star Wars movie. It was a chance to pretend for at least one night that I still lived in a world where light sabers fashioned out of flashlights were the ingredients … Read More

Don’t Stick to the Script

Sticking to the script may make average actors into award winning thespians when the words of Aaron Sorkin map out an amazing screenplay for them.  However, if you are the leader of a startup, a large company, or any organization seeking to chart new territory, you know that the ability to course correct quickly is the key to success. I … Read More

Designed for you

There is a fundamental principle of design that is often heralded as the pillar of modern innovators but is just as often forgotten by many who create the things that make up our everyday environment. The idea is simple. Design is more than just the way something looks or feels. It is also the way in which we experience or … Read More