From time-to-time, we all get stuck with our own ideas. We need inspiration and new sources of innovation if the normal interactions from your teammates and colleagues do not help solve your current problem or impasse.
Apparently, James Dyson often looked to his design hero, Thomas Edison, for inspiration. He closely followed Edison’s approach to design using iteration to relentlessly change one or two things to test what works and what doesn’t. This has served James Dyson well over the years.
The idea of studying and copying others to help inspire, innovate and solve problems is a technique that has also been studied and copied. One group of photography students named this technique ‘What would Terry do?’ based on the work of an American photographer Terry Richardson who was notorious for bucking trends. This helped them break out of their traditional thought processes and establish new perspectives.
I'm the Chief Operating Officer for Emergn and Product Manager for VFQ®. Inbetween my day job running Emergn and working with our clients, I write content and develop courses for Value, Flow, Quality®. I’m passionate about learning, helping people change and own the way they work, and helping them develop their own passions.
The problem with the truth is that you can’t bend it to fit what feels right to you at the moment. The truth just…is.
That’s why sometimes being “real” and speaking the “truth” can get a little tricky. We often associate being real with being unafraid to let your struggles, your flaws, and your insecurities hang out. While that is part of being authentic, it is equally as valuable to acknowledge your victories, your gifts, and your strengths! We should not be afraid to acknowledge that which is true.
Today was a genuinely great day. I love my job. Love, love it. And the craziest part is that it just sort of snuck up on me. I love that I get to stay at home with my girls almost all of the time. I don’t mind the fact that most of my free time is filled with writing “work” things. And on the rare occasion that I get to go into work and exercise my creative muscles – I genuinely come home giddy. Giddy, people.
I am wrestling my way through how to harness my gifts and use them in this right now life and how to be content with where God has me, but I’m beginning to see glimpses of what it all could be. It’s nothing like what I expected, but I’m okay with that. I’m feeling a little more adventurous, a little more “let’s do this thing,” and I cannot help but look to the Initiator of all faith, Giver of every good thing in it all. Because the truth is I am not adventurous. And “doing this thing” usually just makes me want to puke.
Life is good today – and I just wanted to say it out loud. What does good look like in your life right now?