Observers Make Better Creators

My daughter Alex, at age 10, has her sights set on being the world’s greatest fashion designer. Her bedroom features a sewing machine, a mannequin, and the 2009 DVD series of the show, “Project Runway.” She’s got a sketch book full of outfit designs and random fabric spilling out of her closet.

My wife and I have taken Alex on a couple of visits to a few fashion forward shops and stores—even spending a couple of days in Miami’s fashion center, South Beach. I’ve gotten quite a kick out of watching my daughter’s reaction in these world renowned stores. “These people don’t know what they’re doing, Dad”, Alex suggests. “I’ve got my own ideas. I need to get home and get to work.”

While I admire my daughter’s drive, I’ve begun to encourage her to become a better observer—a better learner.

Alex has my DNA. I take much of the blame for her pace and her drive. It takes a great deal of conscious effort for me to slow down enough to observe and learn. I like to create. But I’m a much better creator when I slow down enough to listen rather than talk, to observe rather than react.

Today, Northwest Arkansas is experiencing a winter storm that has our community shut in. The storm has forced me to listen, observe and learn more. I found time to watch a 19 minute TED video that was recommended to me by a friend. I invite you to watch the TED video where Carl Honore, author of In Praise of Slowness, presents the value of slowing down.

By slowing down we enrich our lives, become aware through our observations, take in the preciousness of the moment – and because of it, we become better creators.

Are you blazing past life’s precious moments or are you making time to listen, to learn and to observe? I encourage you to work in some “slowness” into your life. I think you’ll be surprised by the results.

Onward!

Tags: Carl, creating, creativity, down, Fast, Honore, rushing, slow, TED

4 Comments to Observers Make Better Creators

1. 

   I am so pleased you enjoyed the video. Ironically, I watched it early one morning at 5:30am when I was trying to sneak in an hour of web development before rushing into another crazy day in the ever “on” world of social media marketing at Collective Bias. It allowed me a moment to breathe and dream up a couple of new ideas I have brewing.
Sarah Daigle Scott on January 29th, 2010

2. [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by thompsonOC, Murray Williams, The Howitzer, CatherineWright, Tim Harmon and others. Tim Harmon said: New blog post: Observers Make Better Creators http://www.organizationalchampions.com/blog/?p=756 (via @thompsonOC) [...]
Tweets that mention Observers Make Better Creators | The Organizational Champion Blog -- Topsy.com on January 31st, 2010
3. 

   Thanks for the resource Sarah. It was very timely!!
Mike Thompson on February 1st, 2010
4. 

   “Rather than cope, adapt or exploit the possibilities, create them.”–DB We need to get beyond the status quo. Creators do that for us. Listening (observing) will make the creator wiser.
   Dr. Paul Faulkner (retired founder of Resources for Living) once said the best communicator masters the art of listening. They do this by knowing their audience and asking the right questions. Dr. Faulkner said the greatest communicator he ever met was Sam Walton…when someone chooses to serve rather than being served.
   Mr. Sam once told me “I believe what I hear myself say, ask people the right questions David.”
   Those humble leaders are few in today’s world…to be like Solomon…
David Bing on February 2nd, 2010

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