Going after creativity ‘with a club’ + serendipity = a creative safari
In 1754 Horace Walpole wrote a fairy tale, The Three Princes of Serendip, a story in which the heroes “were always making discoveries, by accidents and sagacity, of things they were not in quest of”.
Serendipity is one of my favourite words and whilst of course data, strategy, process and observation all contribute to creative ideas, I think serendipity – making happy and unexpected discoveries by accident – has a big part to play too.
I also love Jack London’s quote: “You can’t wait for inspiration, you have to go after it with a club.”
In a bid to combine these two things and get away from computer screens, I encourage groups I’m working with to take what I call a creative safari 🦒
It’s a walk with creative purpose, but with time for initial preparation, logic and thinking about the problem, followed by wandering/wondering, observing and allowing the unconscious mind to do its thing.
I’ve accompanied the creatively curious on the streets of Lisbon, Amsterdam and London, at Borough Market, the Design Museum, the Serpentine, the Tate, in St James Park, on a deserted Dorset beach, and most recently with a group of grads seeking creative inspiration at the graffiti tunnels at Leake Street Arches.
Maybe you’re thinking, FFS do I really encouraging to take a walk? Maybe not. But if you don’t think you’re getting the kind of ideas you need, don’t get much from your current brainstorms, or find that the same people dominate, think of it as an alternative way to think, seek out and absorb stimulus, allow time for ideas to incubate, and perhaps help others unlock their creativity.
Collaborate in a walk and talk, maybe head out to find your customer ‘in the wild’ and if nothing else give yourself and others that all important time to think with a side order of vitamin D.
As Dr. Seuess might put it: “Things may happen and often do to people as brainy and footsy as you”
So if you’re feeling bored, stuck, lacking inspiration or have lost your creative mojo, join me on a creative safari on the Now Go Create podcast wherever you get yours. Little taster below and link to the full episode here.
ICYMI – previous Now Go Create episodes:
· Behind the Grammy’s – on songwriting with Dyo
· Why brainstorms fail & what to do instead
· How to be creative on demand with lessons from improv
· Confessions of a creative director the messy reality of my career
· Coming up – neuroscientist Dr Ben Martynoga on how to deliberately create alpha and theta brainwave states to enhance your creativity 🧠
You can get the free pod sheet to this episode here. If you’re listening please let me know how you’re finding the episodes so far and join me over on LinkedIn or email me here claire@nowgocreate.co.uk