Killing Creativity

There is a phrase in the English language so deadly it contains a force powerful enough to swiftly eradicate all constructive thinking instantaneously. This phrase is so treacherous that it kills new ideas before they have an opportunity to give birth.

This life-draining phrase is: “I don’t know.”

The real danger lies in the subtleness of this phrase. We tend to say it subconsciously, not realizing the full impact on our decision-making ability.

“I don’t know” shuts down your brain’s creative and intuitive thinking process. Internally driven questions where you do not require outside information to answer, like, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” or even “What do you want for dinner?” must never be followed by “I don’t know.”

Saying “I don’t know” is like throwing flame-tipped darts at a priceless Picasso painting -- nothing good can come from this act, and in the end, something brilliant is lost forever. When you respond, “I don’t know,” you send a message to your brain that says, “Don’t even bother spending time and exerting energy trying to come up with an answer -- it can’t be done.” And the idea generation process ends there.

The fact is, you do know. The answer is within you. You possess the internal references and experiences to decide what it is you want -- to decide what is “right” for you. Without a sense of clarity and “knowing,” you can’t fully embrace your adventure -- you can’t point the way.

Why do we frequently turn off our brains? The answer is simple: Thinking is hard. Most people don’t like to think unless it’s absolutely critical. Thomas Edison, a person who rarely chose to kill a creative thought, but who was aware of other people’s tendency to do so said, “There is no expedient to which a man will not go to avoid the real labor of thinking.”

The good news is we can condition ourselves to eradicate the “I don’t know” syndrome to greatly enhance our thought development process. Next time someone asks you an internally driven question, and you feel the “I don’t know” creeping up, say to yourself, “Hmmm, what if I did know the answer?” When you make this ‘question reversal’ in a playful frame of mind, you delve into the unknown abyss of uncertainty to pull out a creative thought -- an answer that may surprise you.

Adopt the belief that you really do know the answer. When you do, you’ll find yourself saying that devious little phrase much less frequently.

Be conscious of this concept over the next few days, using the question reversal strategy as often as you can. I’d love to hear about your experiences.

Happy Journeys!
Scott Jeffrey

The Science Behind the Jedi

I certainly wish I was a Jedi -- not necessarily a Jedi Master like Yoda, but perhaps a powerful Jedi Knight like Obiwan Kenobi. (I’m making a Star Wars reference, for those totally clueless of these pop culture icons.) Who wouldn’t want to possess a telekinetic and mind controlling ability, heightened intuition and clairvoyant powers and wear a cool, mysterious cloak? And, I didn’t even mention the whole idea of the lightsaber.

Who is a “Modern-day Jedi”? What benefits will becoming a Jedi have along your incredible Journey?

A Modern-day Jedi possesses an amazing ability to stay centered in most situations. He is full of energy, solutions and unlimited resources. The Jedi makes effective decisions quickly -- he is an influential leader because of his remarkable ability to think on his feet. The Jedi learns to embrace life -- to cherish each and every day.

Your brain has a “control switch,” called the reticular activating system (RAS), which determines whether you act in survival mode (out of fear or anger) or use your “learning brain” which controls your ability to think clearly and creatively.

How often do you let fear and anger control you (that is, the “Dark Side” of the Force)? Does it serve you when it does? When you are tense and stressed, the learning brain shuts down, and your survival instincts take command. Operating out of fear and anger hinders your ability to be effective in any area of your life. If you are not consciously aware of your thoughts and feelings, your destructive emotions control you. You become powerless to act effectively and your Impossible Journey ends there.

When you relax, your learning brain runs the show, enabling logical and creative thinking, as well as the overall enjoyment of life to persist. When you condition yourself to breathe consciously, smile often, and live in a state of gratitude, you become a powerful force in your chosen field of endeavor.

Along your Impossible Journey, challenges will continue to present themselves -- this is a sign that you are growing on your path to become more. Your ability to stay resourceful in moments of great challenge will help define the level of fulfillment you’ll be able to create in your life.

Adopt the Jedi’s mantra: “Be mindful,” and embrace an amazing adventure!

Happy Journeys!
Scott Jeffrey