"The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity. The creative mind plays with objects it loves."
-Carl Jung, Swiss Psychiatrist
-Carl Jung, Swiss Psychiatrist
In the creative leadership seminars that Ahden and I administer in Change University (www.changeuniversity.org), one key component to every session is play. I was driving past a school this afternoon and swarms of children were engaged in this fundamental part of creativity. I saw a small girl transporting herself to an imaginative kingdom of princesses and fairies, and two young boys were assuming the roles of Captain Hook and Peter Pan under a barren aspen tree. Dispersed around the school yard were wizards, professional basketball stars, astronauts, movie stars and other artists of creativity.
As I watched these children, I started to wonder when we, as adults, lose the ability, time or passion for creative play. Later this afternoon, I closed my eyes and I began to envision my life as a professional musician. Each imaginative detail slowly began to grow in my mind. From the time I stepped onto the make believe stage to the moment I was surrounded by thunderous applause, my make believe world seemed to expand into a surreal vision. A smile began to creep onto my face as my dream became a creative reality.
The truth is, the more time that I spend in the world of my imagination, the more relaxed I become. Most importantly, as I ease into a state of mental relaxation, I become more receptive to new ideas, new possibilities and creative spark moments. As noted in Stimulated! by Andrew Pek and Jeannine McGlad: "The more we integrate play into our daily lives, the more we will increase our chances for creative success and put ourselves in a relaxed state where all things seem possible."
In order to change, we must be receptive to new ideas, to creative impulses and to new possibilities. Let me ask you this question....when was the last time that you played? When was the last time that you envisioned swashbuckling as a pirate, floating in a lagoon with mermaids or casting wizardly spells? Perhaps you hold the key to the creative roadblocks that are holding you back from personal or professional change. The truth is, the answers lie within your own imagination.
Take time to play today.... take time to imagine!
As I watched these children, I started to wonder when we, as adults, lose the ability, time or passion for creative play. Later this afternoon, I closed my eyes and I began to envision my life as a professional musician. Each imaginative detail slowly began to grow in my mind. From the time I stepped onto the make believe stage to the moment I was surrounded by thunderous applause, my make believe world seemed to expand into a surreal vision. A smile began to creep onto my face as my dream became a creative reality.
The truth is, the more time that I spend in the world of my imagination, the more relaxed I become. Most importantly, as I ease into a state of mental relaxation, I become more receptive to new ideas, new possibilities and creative spark moments. As noted in Stimulated! by Andrew Pek and Jeannine McGlad: "The more we integrate play into our daily lives, the more we will increase our chances for creative success and put ourselves in a relaxed state where all things seem possible."
In order to change, we must be receptive to new ideas, to creative impulses and to new possibilities. Let me ask you this question....when was the last time that you played? When was the last time that you envisioned swashbuckling as a pirate, floating in a lagoon with mermaids or casting wizardly spells? Perhaps you hold the key to the creative roadblocks that are holding you back from personal or professional change. The truth is, the answers lie within your own imagination.
Take time to play today.... take time to imagine!
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2 comments:
Well said Ryan! I have worked with preschool children and have also observed the sad change as adults forget how to play. We could all learn a lot by slowing down and using our imaginations!
Thanks Sara!
I believe that imagination is the key to innovation! If we could all get creative, I think we'd be amazed at how many of the world's problems we could solve!
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