This was a week that went like a fire hose of intensely focused creative energy. Working on a book proposal, coaching clients in 1-on-1 settings and attending performances at night. On Friday, I read Hugh MacLeod’s superb book, Ignore Everybody. Couldn’t put it down.
Holy moly that’s an incredible piece. The honesty of his voice and the creativity throughout was like walking into a garden after being in a dusty parking lot.
Inspired me. Delighted me. Made me laugh out loud.
During this week, a few of my clients were smiling with this kind of glee as they discovered their own creative geniuses.
It’s incredible what comes out of someone when you give them space and encouragement. Not every idea is brilliant but boy, there are some hidden gems in there.
Part of my job as a coach is not simply to give people strategic, tactical, pragmatic tools to communicate their ideas effectively, but also to help my clients bring their innermost hidden ideas to life and see where they lead.
Not all lead to material that ends up in their presentation but often, the sparkle of an idea that gets tossed out leads to a unbelievably great gem. I call this,
“The idea that might lead to the idea.”
Once this parameter is set—that all ideas are OK to share because the one you toss out could be “the idea that leads to the idea”—we are free to brainstorm without fear.
Often, my clients will say, “OK. I know this is kind of strange. But it could be ‘the idea that leads to the idea.'” And we are off and running.
The delight that emerges as a result of this approach is stunning, the energy pure and gleeful.
When you’re developing material—be it a book proposal, a presentation, a pitch, plan or performance—be mindful of those you share it with early on. Not everyone is trained in the philosophy of “the idea that might lead to the idea” and not everyone knows how to help you nurture a creative impulse along. Often, a new idea is met with furrowed brows, objections, doubt and worry. As Hugh says so beautifully in his book, “Good ideas have lonely childhoods.” That is true for a reason.
Trust that “small still voice” within you.
Have the courage to trust your own uncertain convictions.
We often think the right choices will be blatantly obvious, bolts of lightning. Occasionally they are…but not always. Some of the greatest works of art and business plans developed from inklings of uncertain ideas.
What are yours?
Begin to put them into the world, even in the smallest of ways…and see what wild rubies you create.
