Sep 15 2008
Lateral Action, Daniel Pink, and Little Shifts
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This is one of those moments I love: Seeing concepts I’ve written about turning up in someone else’s smart, timely book. It’s happening in a few different places right now, and I keep getting my worn copy of “Little Shifts” out to answer my own question, “What did I say, back then?”
“Little Shifts” is not quite four years out now, but in publishing circles it’s an old horse. It enjoyed a nice run on the market and continues to sell. But I think some of the messages in my little book are just now ripe on the tree. In the chapter called “The Great Adventure,” I said “This is a grand opportunity for the best kind of growth – a growth of commitment, consciousness, and imagination.” I told the story about William McDonough, one of our most accomplished visionaries, and the community of innovators at work creating solutions for our planet. Then I made an invitation.
“When we join our willing optimism to the community around us, invite our imaginations to the party, and deliberately choose a positive future, a great adventure begins to unfold. The possibilities are limitless.
“Trust that your vision is connected to these mighty forces. From that trust your creative life will emerge, along with the energy and understanding of how to execute your ideas.”
In the book I advocate using business as a force for social change. Having a business gives us “arms and legs” beyond just the voice of an individual.
Today, I’m excited about the undercurrent which seems to be swelling to the surface. Daniel Pink’s book, “A Whole New Mind, Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future,” beautifully articulates where we are headed and why creatives are emerging as cultural leaders. Brian Clark and Mike McGuinness have started a very clever series called Lateral Action, with the fourth entry also mentioning Daniel Pink’s book. You can understand why I’m jumping up and down and pointing my finger. This imagination-driven culture is becoming visible. These are the great adaptations I’m talking about. It’s us!
I want you to think about something today. Where would you like to apply more imagination in your life? Let’s take it a step further. Let me know, in the reply area here, what three areas of your life could be most improved by a fully empowered imagination?
Blessings,
Suzanna
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September 15th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Dear Suzanna – “don’t even get me started”!! LOL
Imagination, inspiration, intuition. All favorite topics, and the way that I live my life.
I would love to see some of the things that we see in movies actually become products – so many wonderful ideas over the years. I would like to see transportation that has nothing to do with fossil fuels, and that hovers about the earth to avoid pollution and traffic congestion! I would like to see ways to dissolve conflict on small and large scales with love and hugs and honest communication. I would love to see free and abundant social and health services for all provided with dignity and care.
For me, Santa, I want to fly!
Have a great week,
Sally
http://www.drsallywitt.com
September 15th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Hi Suzanna,
This is one of my favorite quotes of all time – I think of it often when I am not feeling creative.
“Imagination is more important than knowledge.”
- Albert Einstein
I would like to use imagination more in my life to fuel my photography work – go way beyond what I see with my eyes. I would like to apply the childlike part of imagination to problem solving and finally free it around some creative writing projects I have been too cut and dry about.
Thanks for the topic – made me stop and dream for a moment
Connie Boaitey
http://www.iconnie.com
September 16th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
The desire to use my imagination is one of the reasons why I’ve started my own business, Suzanna. I love to smear my imaginative self all over my analytical self just to see what pops out! It makes for an interesting life
September 17th, 2008 at 8:49 am
First- I love dogs and just melted when I saw your puppy above! They can be so annoying- yet have so much genuine love to give. Sometimes I wish I spoke “dog” fluently instead of in broken snippets…I would love to imagine a world that genuinely believed in doing unto others as you would want yourself treated (including animals). This might alleviate a lot of the cruelty in the world that passes for adult behavior. And Suzanna, I would love to imagine that I, too, could have access to the health services that our congresspeople have and at the same price that they pay in premiums…..
September 17th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Hi, I found your blog on this new directory of WordPress Blogs at blackhatbootcamp.com/listofwordpressblogs. I dont know how your blog came up, must have been a typo, i duno. Anyways, I just clicked it and here I am. Your blog looks good. Have a nice day. James.
September 27th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Into ty realm of abundance and joy; that is where I would like to apply my imagination. Thanks for asking!
Love. Work. Creativity. Fully empowered, and I would ask all kindly “Step back please, I’ve got things to do”!