My current inspiration is Seth Godin’s latest work Poke the Box, in which he contends that the only way to differentiate in the modern business economy is to deliver. To try something new. Something different. Something challenging. In short, to take the initiative, not wait, and do something.
[As an aside, take a look at the previews and video in the link above, especially if you haven’t come across his work before. It’s illuminating].
This idea of taking initiative is a compelling argument. Initiative drives creation. We all have the capacity to create or be creative. Most of us probably claim to do it, but probably don’t.
It is assumed that creating takes time and resource, and that you need to be in some way artistic. It opens us up to criticism that we don’t want or can’t bear. So we hide, we do the jobs we are assigned, we play safe. We keep our heads below the parapet. And we end up frustrated.
Until recently it didn’t dawn on me that I’m creative. I write a blog. I contribute to other people’s blogs. I’m active in networking groups and engage many interesting people on Twitter. I’m putting myself in front of different groups and presenting them with new, even challenging ideas. I challenge my peers with new ways of working, new opportunities. I’m teaching myself website development, WordPress, design and Photoshop. And I’m developing content for different online platforms, in different formats.
In short, you don’t have to be creative to create. Creating is a mindset, a willingness to look at things differently. And initiative is the fuel, the permission to do it.
The thing is, and as Seth argues, initiative doesn’t need to be bestowed, it comes from you.
So what are you waiting for? What are you going to create today?
