Daily Inspiration 5-12-10

"Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake."

-- Henry David Thoreau

"To see things in the seed, that is genius."

-- Lao-Tzu

It still goes on today though we don't hear of it as much as when the dot com era was on fire just a few years ago. There were all of these start-up companies that were being funded on the success of a few hot dot com's and a culture was born.

These companies were written up thousands of times for the unique and infinitely creative ways they built a mountain of an enterprise (or a cash-burning fiasco). They focused on creative idea development and encouraged employees to have fun and share ideas with each other and they worked in a non-worklike environment to encourage more free spirited thinking. It was a fun place; a place of joy and expansion where people were not only allowed to release their creative spirits, but expected to.

How many times have we thought more of this kind of thing should be going on where we worked? How many times have we felt strongly that we had some great solutions to some common problems and felt discouraged to even share them with anyone, let alone the 'boss.' These are sort of opposite environments and it is much like the 'grass is greener on the other side of the fence' thinking.

But, I think most of our reluctance comes down to our own fear, much more so than a 'super-ego' boss who wouldn't let any idea other than theirs in. Yes, our own fear of our own situation. Much of that comes down to fear of losing one's job--getting fired. But, think about what a life that is to live in constant fear of being fired. What a waste of a livelihood--and a life in general.

I think most companies would love to have the creative instincts and ideas that their employees might have to make the whole enterprise that much better. Even a 'super-ego' boss would relish a profitable suggestion under the right circumstances. Look at this quote:

"There is no limit to what a man can do or where he can go

if he doesn't mind who gets the credit."

-- Ronald Reagan

A little less fear can move the needle dramatically.

Fear and Creativity Are Mutually Exclusive.

Spread Some Joy Today--First, as you get your great ideas, make sure and write them out until the idea is complete. Next, think of some creative ways to share those ideas. If you want some interesting ones, read "Switch" by Chip & Dan Heath.