Useful Novelty

Or- Creativity, the space between madness and method

Think. I’m thinking about creativity

Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist. Weeping Woman by Pablo Picasso

Everyone loves creative thinkers until people start thinking creatively. I witness this on an almost daily basis. Most institutions profess to value independent thought and strive to cultivate those who offer new and innovative solutions to problems.

The problem with that is that when these new and innovative solutions are actually offered, they require change (which we don’t like) and work (which we don’t want to do), and if you do the work, it comes with the possibility of failure (which we abhor).

The upside, however, is that when creativity pays off, it can have a magnificent impact. So if you can’t flex your creativity at work, work on it at home. Creativity may be the key to finding opportunities to get more efficient and effective in managing your LOEs.

Creativity has two components: For an idea to be creative it must be novel, and it must be useful. A solar-powered spelunking headlamp might be novel, but it is not useful underground, and while an electric toothbrush is useful, it isn’t novel (though it once was). The space where novelty and usefulness overlap is where creativity lives.

I know some of you are saying, “Oh, I’m just not creative.” To which I reply, “Not with that attitude you’re not.”

1. Preparation - Preparation starts with Curiosity. And you can’t just get curious when you want to be creative. You need to cultivate it, or as I preach, weaponize your curiosity. Turn it on something you want to know more about and attack. Go down rabbit holes. Explore, learn, know. Because:

   

   The other half is extreme violence.

2. Incubation- After all of your curiosity, chill out. Go for a run, and let the new thoughts and ideas mix and marinate.

3. Illumination - This is the ‘Ah-Ha’ moment. When you least expected revelation, it comes. In the shower, in the gym, when you stopped thinking and started letting the subconscious mind do its work.

4. Evaluation - Now that you have a novel idea you can check it out. Look for weakness. Shine the light of reason on it and make sure it is useful.

5. Verification - If it makes sense, try it out. It may not be perfect, but don’t let perfect be the enemy of good enough.

Today’s subtitle is derived from Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, first performed in 1602. The line is spoken by Lord Polonius: “Though this be madness, yet there is method in ‘t.”

Read. Creativity, Inc. By Ed Catmull

I grabbed this at a used bookstore the other day. It is an absolutely fascinating take on creativity from the guy who started Pixar. To infinity and beyond!

Write.

I am working on the final chapter of my memoir: Tough, Rugged Bastards. I was tempted to answer a question I have been asked more than once. If I could go back in time and talk to the me who existed in 2001, at the beginning of the story, what would I say to him?

I have realized that this is the wrong question to ask. It wouldn’t matter what I said to him. He wouldn't have listened, nor should he have. What would I have told him: To eat better or drink less? Maybe some investment advice from the future would have been nice. I would probably tell him to be more present and cherish the time with his family more, but he was invincible and could never envision how quickly time would pass.

The real question is if my 2001 self showed up today, what would he say to me? I’m sure he would tell me I need to drop a few pounds, and he’d be right. But I think he’d be pleasantly amazed that I’m still getting around on my own power, and that Tracy is still putting up with me after over thirty years. If the Valentine’s card she gave me is any indication, she still loves me, but not the way I load the dishwasher.

Overall, I think he’d think we’ve done ok.

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I recently had the opportunity to appear with my pal Russell Worth Parker on ‘The Debrief’ which is a podcast of The Lethal Minds Journal, hosted by Nate Galddin. We talk leadership, mentorship, and transitioning from the military. If you’re interested you can check it out here.

Repeat. Words of wisdom from those who said it best.

Creativity takes courage. ~ Henry Matisse

There is no innovation and creativity without failure. Period. ~Brené Brown

Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep. ~Scott Adams

I never made one of my discoveries through the process of rational thinking ~Albert Einstein

Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist. ~ Pablo Picasso