GZZT.org - Cool links and free services

Creativity and Communication Lessons from Crossing the Street


Spring is in full bloom, which means it's 'get back in shape time!' For me, that means strapping on the sneakers and going for a run (well, at this stage it's more of a slow loping jog...).

I live in a city (Philadelphia) so I have to deal with traffic and crosswalks when I jog. A few days ago I was out for a run and I came to a red light. I jogged in place and looked for an opening in traffic so I could cross the street and continue my exercise.

After a few moments, all the cars had passed but one. This one was approaching the intersection with it's turn signal blinking, meaning that it was going to turn before it reached me. In theory, I should have been able to safely cross the street.

I was about to go, but then I stopped. Something about the car didn't feel right. Maybe it was the speed, maybe it was the position, or maybe it was just a gut feeling. Whatever it was, I decided to wait.

Sure enough, the car whizzed right past me while its turn signal flashed on and on. I may not have gotten squashed if I tried to cross, but there probably would have been a big scene with screeching tires and honking horns.

Once the car was past, I safely proceeded on my way.

So, what does this have to do with creativity, improv, business, and life?

I personally take two powerful lessons away from this experience:

1) Always look beneath the surface.

If I took what the car claimed it was going to do (turn before it got to me) I might have ended up in a body cast. I paid attention to details in addition to what it was explicitly telling me.

Similarly, when talking with someone, it is important to pay attention to more than just what comes out of the person's mouth. Watch their body language. Listen to their tone of voice. Just because a person says one thing doesn't mean that they really fully feel that way.

2) Get out of your own head.

People spend a great deal of time wrapped up in their own thoughts. I find pedestrians and drivers to be two of the guiltiest of this. If I had been lost in my own thoughts I may have just glanced at the car's turn signal and started crossing. By putting my attention out on the world around me I was able to learn a whole lot more about the situation.

This idea is fundamental to both Creativity and Communication. Put your attention on things outside of you and your creativity will start to freely flow. Get out of your own head and your ability to listen and communicate effectively will grow exponentially.

All that just from crossing the street. Maybe I should jog more often...

Avish Parashar has a refreshingly unique approach to speaking and training: identify the fundamentals of success and then give people the tools to implement those fundamentals. Avish's approach can be deceptive; it's fun, funny, interactive, engaging, entertaining, and ridiculously simple. Success isn't complicated, it's simple. So visit the web site to learn more about the "Ridiculously Simple Ideas That Everybody Needs and Nobody Uses."

Learn More:http://www.avishparashar.com

Free Creativity Mini-Course:http://www.avishparashar.com/creativity-free-minicourse.html


MORE RESOURCES:

Hull adds creative element to Dallas Stars' company line
Dallas Morning News, TX - 11 hours ago
The job, to Hull, is one of creativity and ideas, and not so much contracts and the salary cap. That's the reason Stars owner Tom Hicks made it a two-man ...


Group hopes to transform vacant building into NoDo creative center
Omaha World-Herald, NE - 11 hours ago
BY CHRISTINE LAUE An artist-led group wants to transform a mostly vacant north downtown building into a creative center with studios, classrooms, ...
Retail space seen as vital to linking NoDo, Old Market arts areas Omaha World-Herald
all 2 news articles


President-elect Barack Obama inspires an artistic flood of creativity
Chicago Tribune, United States - 8 hours ago
By Colleen Mastony | Tribune reporter An Ohio man drew a portrait on an Etch A Sketch. An Iowa woman carved a bust out of chilled butter. ...


Hugo Create Contest – Discover Your Creativity
MediaSyndicate (press release) - 8 hours ago
Today, creative individuals are mixing their multi-disciplinary skills and talents to go beyond the traditional paths of art. ...


Market calls for creativity, quick thinking
Inman.com, CA - Jan 5, 2009
Find innovative and creative ways to attract the attention of brokers and consumers to your listings. Doing marketing the same old tired way will not work ...


FileMaker Developers Win $1000 for Your Creativity
prMac (press release), TX - 18 hours ago
[prMac.com] Richmond, VA - FMWebschool today announces an exciting competition that will put your creative genius to the test. ...


The Frisky

Are Creative Types Just Good For Flings?
The Frisky, Georgia - 22 hours ago
Are “creative types” good for anything other than flings? “I am always attracted to creative men,” one woman writes the Guardian. ...


Creativity key in quest to help nonprofits
Rockford Register Star, IL - 2 hours ago
United Way interim CEO Paul Logli announces a partnership with media organizations to help raise money Monday, Dec. 22, 2008, during a press conference at ...


Ewan McGregor Honored With 7th Annual Ray-Ban Visionary Award
PR Newswire (press release), NY - 55 minutes ago
6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Golden Globe nominee Ewan McGregor will be honored with the 2009 Ray-Ban Visionary Award, presented by Ray-Ban and The Creative ...


Aspen Daily News

(From the last 12 hours)
Monterey County Herald, CA - 4 hours ago
Your creativity could be stronger, but your ability to see past the obvious allows you to step out way ahead of others. Friends might surprise you with ...
(From the last 12 hours) Monterey County Herald
(From the last 12 hours) Monterey County Herald
all 13 news articles

Creativity - Google News

GZZT.org | creativity home | site map