TBN #66: BASICS OF IMAGINATION AT WORK
Creativity, Characters, and Computer Screens 🎨🖊️🗒️
TGIF friend,
Can I ask you something?
Ok, great.
When was the last time you used your imagination?
Ok, now when was the last time you took a moment to be imaginative at work? (This question is really for my 9-to 5-ers who spend most of their day staring at a computer screen.)
Not judging—just helping.
A few weeks ago I started off a meeting with what I thought was an engaging, low-stakes question: if you could pick one fictional character to be your mentor at work, who would it be?
To my surprise, many colleagues found the question very challenging and had a difficult time thinking of a fictional character. It made me wonder: Why is tapping into our imagination so difficult?
Who was my fictional character? So happy you asked.
I chose Miss Piggy from The Muppets to be my fictional mentor. Why? She’s confident, knows what she wants and how to get it. Plus, she has impeccable style.
For validation purposes, AI says Miss Piggy is a “force of nature, a prima donna, and a feminist icon.”
Now, for context, I love to incorporate creative activities into work meetings and programs. I find it is a gentle way to ease into meetings and a welcome break from some of the seriousness of work meetings. However, each time I engage groups and teams in a creative exercise, there are always folks who are challenged by the creative activity.
So, why is it that some adults lose their sense of creativity and imagination?
There are many reasons but I believe the reality of life’s responsibilities provide minimal flexibility for working adults to express their creative sides—especially when it is unattached to work assignments.
However, spending time being imaginative has so many benefits. It helps us become better problem solvers, sparks more innovation, and (re)connect with our purpose at work.
Here are 4 Easy Peasy Ways to be Imaginative:
Doodle: You don’t even have to leave your desk for this one. Find a piece of paper and draw whatever comes to your mind.
Dance: Play your favorite song and dance until the song ends.
Write: Set a timer and write for that amount of time without editing your work. Let the words flow unfiltered.
Touch grass and let your mind wander: In other words, go outside and enjoy nature. Allow your mind to focus on the present moment and block out the noise.
Disclaimer
I know the world feels heavy for most of us right now and you may be thinking that being imaginative is a luxury. To be clear, taking time out of your day to be imaginative is a privilege. However, if you are able to engage in this privilege, I highly recommend doing so. People can never take away what’s in your mind, so take this opportunity to imagine what a different world could look like for you and others. Use it as a form of resistance or a small refuge from the current challenges in the world.
So, friend, when’s the next time you’ll let your imagination run wild?
(BASIC) News:
(BASIC) Things I’m Up To:
What I’m Listening To 🎶: Fire by Alessia Cara
What I’m Watching 📺: This show is new to me, but it’s a must watch series. Mo is smart and funny while providing meaningful, timely storytelling
What I’m Reading 📚: Still reading All About Love by bell hooks
(BASIC) Planning Ahead
February is Black History Month and Ethnic Equality Month
National Caregivers Day - February 21
Maha Shivaratti - February 26
Ramadan begins - (Evening of) February 28 - March 30
Visit www.amberbenton.com/calendar for the full list of dates and months.
(BASIC) Support:
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With care,
Amber