The World of Creativity: Blog

In defense of the comfort zone. (Episode 261)

The word “comfort” has gotten a bad rep. As someone interested in creativity, I often meet people who say, “To be creative, you have to go out of your comfort zone.” It’s like comfort now means “complacency, laziness, or lack of ambition.” But the etymology of the word “comfort” is “com” (meaning […]

02

Sep

Inspiration has expiration. (Episode 260)

“Inspiration has expiration.” I was recently on a podcast and I said that sentence. (Yes, I am quoting myself) But my point with that quote (and this post) was to send out a reminder that when inspiration fades, so too does the creative energy. I said it as a reflection about how […]

26

Aug

Creativity for survival. (Episode 259)

I recently had the privilege of speaking on the topic of creativity to a group of Ukrainian engineering students and faculty at the National University (Kyiv Aviation Institute). Using creativity for survival is an extreme use of creativity, and one we all hope to never experience. This war is just so sad on so […]

22

Aug

Pay attention to boredom. (Episode 258)

Hunger is a signal to tell you to eat. Feeling thirsty is a signal to you to drink. And to feel bored is a signal to you to grow. Companies often measure engagement and happiness at work to make sure people are enjoying what they do. However, being bored at work […]

12

Aug

Who are you going to learn from today? (Episode 257)

“Why are we (as humans) not better at picking up ideas and best practices from around the world?” That was one of the questions I got yesterday as I was a guest on two podcasts. My answer: “I think this is a bug in the human system!” It breaks my spirit that […]

06

Aug

Creativity is not about being unconventional. (Episode 256)

“Creative people are unconventional”, said the podcast host who interviewed me recently. I told her I disagreed. Creativity is not about being unconventional. Creativity is about doing what is authentically you – and since you are unique, that might come across as (!) unconventional. But we should not aim for being […]

01

Aug

The goal is not freedom – the goal is authenticity. (Episode 255)

I was interviewed by a large German newspaper for three hours, yesterday. We talked about everything from creativity, living on an island and about my approach to life. I was asked: ”You seem to have built a life of freedom – not many people have been able to do that.” I replied: ”The end goal […]

16

Jul

How do you inspire entrepreneurship in others? (Episode 254)

Last weekend, we organized a cafe on the island we live on. Most of the job was made by our three kids (9, 12 and 14) One of the over 100 guests that came to our island asked me: ”Why do you open up your home like this?” I replied: ”It’s a great way […]

24

Jun

Live a life without enemies. (Episode 253)

I had the absolute privilege of interviewing Varghese Thambi who had a 48 year long career in banking which started as a teller in India and took him all the way to being a successful CEO for a bank in Uganda. (Now, at the age of 69, he just took a new job at Pepsi.) […]

31

May

Surprise. (Episode 252)

Don’t just go for “inspiration”, go for “surprise”. Things that surprise you rattle our minds in the most delightful way. Today, for example, I learned that at Rimi Estonia 46% (!) of their customers have bought pizza in their stores at least once in a year (!). (I would have guessed something like 5-10%) They […]

23

May

In defense of the comfort zone. (Episode 261)

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Inspiration has expiration. (Episode 260)

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