Start Small
Any creative endeavour can generate a certain amount of anxiety. The first step is always the hardest… has anyone not heard that before?
In his book ‘Being Creative’, Michael Avatar suggests that we draw inspiration from the Zen Buddhist idea of the 'beginner's mind' - where everything is beginning. In a beginner's mind there is possibility, openness, curiosity: all qualities that are useful for an exploration of creativity. This activity is a short, grounding ideation and exploration that taps into the beginner's mind.
Kate
MikeGoal
This simple activity can be used individually or in groups to start a workshop or project or when you are feeling a creative block.
Attachments
Materials
Instructions
Step 1:
Grab a pen and paper.Step 2:
Find a quiet space and take a deep breath.Step 3:
As you exhale, write on the page, not in a fixed way, but attempting to be uncontrolled, fluid.
Note down words: adjectives, colours, feelings. Write until you reach the point when you need to take a breath.
Focus on something immediate and small, using the obvious facts of what is close to you.
Michael Avatar says that It can be something as simple as:
- The view from a window
- Your shadow
- A mark on a wall
- The dimensions of a room
Step 4:
Stop and Reflect.
What did you discover?
Don't worry if you can't make sense of what you have written (this is often our fear; that it has to be something straight away).
The main thing is that you have begun!
When working with groups, put participants into pairs to discuss what they discovered before then sharing with the whole group.
Step 5:
Congratulate yourself!
This first step succeeds because it limits you to something small and achievable ~ breath.
It doesn't overwhelm you with too much material; it is eminently doable. This is an important part of beginning.
Sometimes we don't succeed because we begin with an agenda that is too vast, too enormous.
Don’t be afraid to start small!
Background
Source: Hyper Island toolbox
Hyper Island designs learning experiences that challenge companies and individuals to grow and stay competitive in an increasingly digitized world. With clients such as Google, Adidas and IKEA, Hyper Island has been listed by CNN as one of the most innovative schools in the world.
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