March, 2015
IMAGINATION: EXIT THE ORDINARY AND EXPRESS YOUR
“EXTRA”-ORDINARY.
Muhammad Ali used outspoken creativity to market his brand…one of the greatest heavy weight champs of the world, by broadcasting his gracefully swift and powerful moves with quotes like “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee”. How does a boxer resemble a “butterfly”? His words painted a clear creative visual of exactly how he fought and won…a great example of vivid imaginative story telling.
Float up and outside of the box; use your imagination to tell the world your “you”.
To “float” outside of the norm, to use imagination and pour it into the expression of your value is brilliant…proof we can all shine our brilliance.
The box: this is the predictable, the “me too” of what already exists…looking like everyone else, blending in, the black and white world made up of grey zones. As Ali says: “The man who has no imagination has no wings.”
Outside the box: This is the Technicolor world of imagination, the world where your inner child plays and offers you imaginative ways to express your values, your benefits, your life. Outside of the box can be a scary place for some…fear comes from many years of habit and community rules. In this changing world it is necessary to create new rules that embrace imagination, combine your emotional heart values, and strategic reasoning (float “up” with your creativity, then bring home success by with the focus or the “sting” of well thought out strategies).
How can you find your creative wings and float up and out of the box?
Imagination…it’s all in how you look at things. You can be creative with numbers, building teams, leadership, finding new ways to streamline and get things done. Every left and right brain task or goal has creative opportunities. You can express the making of what seems to be a very mundane paper clip into “the fine art of metal yoga”. Have some fun.
When I taught “thinking creatively, outside the box” to college students, I employed some of Roger von Oech’s simple exercises from his *“Creative Whack Pack” to get folks out of their habitual thinking. Here are a few “whacks” along the right side of the head to start using your imagination:
Right brain “whack” #1: *“Loosen up: It’s not so important to be serious as it is to be serious about the important things. The monkey has an expression of seriousness that would do credit to any great scholar. But the monkey is serious because he itches. What can you take less seriously?”
Right brain “whack” #2: *”Imagine how others would do it: What people do you respect for their creativity? A leader in your field? A teacher? A parent? Now, imagine that one of these people is responsible for developing your concept. What would they do? How would they approach it? How would someone else change your idea?” (…how would Muhammad Ali tell your tale?)
Right brain “whack” #3: *”Sell, sell, sell: “It’s not creative unless it sells,” goes the advertising line. You can have the greatest idea in the world, but if you can’t sell it, you won’t get very far. What are the three reasons that someone else would want your idea or product? What does it promise? How can people make your idea more attractive to other people?”
If putting on wings to create story words and visuals just makes your stomach queasy, then hire creative professionals. They can be your muse and help you both speak and show YOU’RE thinking outside the box. Creative folks are experts when it comes to helping you express your innovations, your ideas, in a memorable way. Form your own kaleidoscope of butterflies all intent on spreading your creative message.
Try expressing your creativity in a strong new visual manner. Tell your story with quick sketch illustrations that are tailored to your story and focus. Imagination springs from spontaneity, and quick sketch visuals reflect this quality. They become lasting touch points that speak a universal language to your audience. A personal expression of you, your process, your value. Give me a call or connect up via mail (paula@chillightful.com) and we can “picturestorm” your creative flights.
Ali’s imaginative quotes captivated the world. Get going on imaginative outside the box ways to express your business, brand, value, and get the world knocking on your door, looking for “what’s next” from you.
Thanks for taking time to read. Comments and “Shares” are welcome!
I’m Paula Brown; Visual Scribe / Feng Shui practitioner / Author / Animal Communicator. I am a visual storyteller showing you how to IGNITE YOUR STORY, YOUR ENERGY, YOUR WELL-BEING for both business and home. My site is: www.chilightful.com Connect on: LinkedIn, Twitter. and you can “like” my facebook page at: www.facebook.com/ChiLightful
* “Creative Whack PackTM 64 Creative Strategies to provoke and inspire your thinking” by Roger von Oech
