When a brainstorming meeting hits a dead end, people tend to sigh and say they wish that they were more creative. They attribute their shortcomings to the way their brains function and think it’s something they cannot change. The answer to this problem, however, is not to fault the brain. People simply take the wrong approach to creativity. It may … Read More
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
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
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
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