Sharpen those saws!

Consider the story of two lumberjacks. One lumberjack gets up at the crack of dawn and saws wood all day without taking a break. He doesn’t stop for food. He doesn’t stop for drink. He barely stops to wipe his brow.

The second lumberjack shows up with food, with water and with rags and oil. Lumberjack One asks what all the stuff is for? Lumberjack Two responds that he brought his lunch and some things to tend to his saw. Lumberjack One harrumphs and keeps on sawing away - muttering about how it is a waste of time to do anything but saw wood.

When Lumberjack Two was finished preparing his saw, sharpening and oiling it he got to work. To the surprise of Lumberjack One, Two was sawing at an incredible pace. He easily doubled the amount of wood One had sawed and in a short period of time! Lumberjack One was astonished...

This fable is from the annals of time. I don’t know where it came from (it may be plainly obvious - please share if you know!) but I do find truth in the simplicity of its message - take time to sharpen your saw! You’re not a lumberjack, you say? Well then, be sure to take time for yourself. Think of your brain as your saw. If your brain is tired or hungry, if you are too focused on one thing only without taking a break, you are going to be less productive and less efficient at what you are trying to accomplish. We all need to step away and to clear our minds from time to time. The brain works in wonderful and mysterious ways. Distance yourself from your challenges for a minute, allow your subconscious to work for you while you refuel and re-energize. You’ll come back sharper and crisper and ready to begin anew, both renewed and revitalized.

Consider for a moment where you get your best ideas. Is it while you’re in the shower? When you’re cleaning the house? Listening to music? Walking down the street? Riding your bike? Where do your “A-HA” moments strike? I've had mine on coffee breaks, barbecuing and even working in the garden. Inevitably, i end up saying - this is so simple, how come I’ve never thought of it before? All of these things, these activities that are a part of life – cleaning your house, taking care of yourself (mind, body and soul), connecting with friends and family - these things are all acts of sharpening your saw. Refreshing your mind and your body are essential in order for you to focus on your work and your passions. Consider it one of your tools for working smarter (which is not necessarily harder).

Edward de Bono offers a different perspective. He said that creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way. Step away from your challenge from time to time. Let your thoughts incubate. Refresh yourself. You might find a different perspective presenting itself when you least expect it. These can be the unexpected benefits of having a sharp saw.

An Introduction to Creative Zaniosity...

Welcome to my inaugural posting! Ackoft and Vergara said something to the effect that creativity is the ability to modify self-imposed constraints. Turns out that one of my own self imposed constraints was not putting my words out to the masses (i.e. you) unless I had "something worthwhile" to say. It was always easier for me to share pictures or music instead of words, both things I will continue to do. Recently, however, I stumbled my way into a fantastic creative community (you all know who you are!) and realized that I had all sorts of worthwhile nuggets zipping around my in grey matter. As such, I find myself starting Creative Zaniosity, a place for me to share some of the zaniosity that goes on in my head. I'm confident it’s going to be a good ride and I hope you can take something from it - big or small. All are welcome, please share with likeminded souls.

What will I be writing about? Hard to say, I'll let my internal voice manifest itself and whatever tumbles out my fingers will show up on the screen. I can tell you that I will suspend judgement, embrace ambiguity, make cryptic remarks and lay out metaphors that, if nothing else, make sense to me. Oh, and I'll be moving past my own self-imposed constraints...and hope I'll learn something about myself along the way.

Pablo Neruda said that laughter is the language of the soul...that being said, I'll recount a short story for you. It was a sunny Saturday, my first day home in a while, and I was out grabbing some breakfast and a delicious coffee whilst catching up on some reading. As I wandered along the street I saw a couple, say in their mid-fifties, in front of the local hardware store. They were holding each other and sharing what appeared to be quite the delightful kiss (note - I did not say passionate, ardent or deep...). As I strolled by, I let out a respectful wolf-whistle. Respectful, you ask? Well - it was quiet and clearly directed towards them, a gentle acknowledgement of the fun moment they were experiencing. The thoughts going through my head were as follows - I should just ignore them - some folks might not enjoy this sight - some might say 'get a room!' and so on. As soon as the last note left my lips I heard them both burst into laughter! I didn't look back to acknowledge that it was me but it sure sounded like they enjoyed the attention and in all honesty, it felt as though I made their day a bit brighter then it already was. If nothing else, it most definitively put a spring in my step and made me smile inside!

Proust says that the real voyage of self discovery consists not of seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes. This experience was just a recent one that underscores the value of having a positive, unbiased and open-minded perspective on things. Suspending judgement and interacting with life as it moves all around us can be a fantastic thing!