Creativity and problem solving
I think creativity, the birthplace of problem-solving, is a vastly under-estimated skill, that all organisations will need to find a way to unleash if they are to stand any chance of survival, as we move forward in an unknown and unpredictable world.
It requires:
1. Action – feel the fear and do it anyway
2. Trust in yourself – even if the work is crap, it will not exist unless you trust yourself enough to give it a go
3. Resilience – you may get knocked back, criticised, ridiculed, rejected and ignored, but unless you keep going it won’t get any better.
So, take action, trust yourself, listen to your instincts and put your energy into creating the solution, not listening to those who are not in the arena with you.
The future is here. Carpe diem.
And for those rough days, a copy of James Victores ‘Feck Perfunction’ or Dave Trotts ‘Creative Blindness’, will give you the Dutch courage you need to keep going.
EDITOR’S NOTE: SEE PART 11 AND PRIOR OF THIS AMAZING SERIES BELOW⤵︎
Psychological safety and life
Shame can only rise to a certain level before people have to armour up and sometimes dis-engage to stay safe.
–Brene Brown
Therefore the psychological safety of our workplaces is absolutely critical to enable people to take off the armour, lead and live openly with their vulnerability. I also believe this shift in our culture and mindset will significantly improve our mental health – as we all get to be part of a true and authentic reality that embraces the whole of ourselves. We have to deal with ‘our stuff’ and lead from the heart if we truly want to be the change we want to see.
Who agrees with this? Who is scared of this? Who is ready to embrace the challenge?
It’s ok to be a bit messy
Most of us are more than one thing. We just grew up with a narrative that told us to choose one. We can change that, we can define our reality by taking action, no matter how small, to be the change you want to be.
I walked away from a career that fed my mind and wallet but not my heart and soul. They say if it’s right to jump the universe will catch you and in my case, it did. So, I’m lots of things to lots of people. My raison d’etre is helping people to redefine what makes them a true success and to be themselves. That purpose takes many forms, in order to feed my mind, heart, and soul.
I’m intrigued by the business world and how it will meet the challenge of our changing world. I continue to work with organisations on transformation through my consulting company n2 consulting.
I love fashion and design – it feeds my soul and I indulge my passion through my design business, Lilly Isabella.
I am passionate about helping people to live more authentic lives, to be themselves, love themselves and accept their imperfections as a core part of their beauty. I share my stories, in the hope of helping people to do that.
Life is not always simple. Sometimes it’s messy and unpredictable. And that’s ok, just as being more than one thing is ok. Be yourself always.
Body, mind, and soul
The head cannot move without the heart.
The heart cannot beat without the soul.
The soul cannot speak without the silence.
Listen to your instinct, follow your heart and use your head wisely.
Today is the day
Today is the day.
Every day is the day.
Show up and own up.
Listen to your instinct, follow your heart, set yourself free.
Having to do a job and living a life, you don’t want, may be necessary to pay the bills, but it won’t pay you. No matter how much you earn, how much you buy, how much you achieve, your soul will always be in deficit.
It doesn’t matter how small the step is, just take it and start feeding your soul, today. Keep taking those steps, every day in every way and eventually, you will see a way through. Be yourself and find a way to do what makes your heart sing, no matter what you think, others think you should be.
Carpe diem.
The elite of humanity
In the face of adversity, challenge and fear, if you can still do these 5 things, you are amongst the elite in terms of humanity – the only measure of success that really counts, because it’s the only one, that is capable of leaving a legacy that matters:
1. Awaken the potential in others
2. Make someone else smile
3. See the hurt not the anger
4. Choose kindness first
5. Show gratitude and share whatever you can
That’s it.
Give something of yourself
Every time I write, vlog or draw, I am giving something of myself – not something from someone else, or something that others think I should give, but my own raw and genuine self. It seems somewhat odd, that the ability to reveal our true selves, has become known as a skill, or something courageous. Isn’t it simply who we are?
When did it become the norm to present an airbrushed version of who we are, or even worse, a version we think is more palatable for others, in order to belong?
The reality is, that it doesn’t matter what others think because:
1. You never really know how people will respond to your work – I’ve often had the greatest response to the work, I thought was my worst. Trying to second guess people is just like playing roulette.
2. Very few people actually share a truly authentic response, because very few people operate without armour. Silence is often your greatest feedback and that’s ok because as long as someone, somewhere has benefitted, you don’t actually need to know.
3. Losing yourself in order to please others, who probably aren’t actually pleased, but cannot say, otherwise they may have to take their armour off too, renders your work valueless. The value is always in you – your quirky, imperfect but, quite beautiful self.