If You Have No Idea...

You might want to try WOO DO

Hello!

I’m wondering…are you experiencing a dearth of ideas these days?

Because I get that. In fact, this newsletter was preceded by me asking myself, “what should I write about?”

My answer: “I have no idea.”

So today’s newsletter is me, with no ideas, writing to you, quite possibly with no ideas too, about having no idea!

Seriously, though—I’m starting with a silly opener (and that is sanctioned here), but the phrase “I have no idea” can quickly teeter into I-give-up territory, especially with all that is not-so-picture-book looming large. And…we can’t have that because it looks like we’re going to need lots of good ideas for—just about everything.

But those of us that work with ideas regularly know that they are… peculiar colleagues that… show up when they show up. IF they show up, that is. In fact, I’m crossing my fingers that a few show up for this newsletter.

But really… this dearth is not all on the ideas. Or entirely on us, either.

The not-so-picture-book world is dismissive of ideas, and casually waves them off as *yawn* no big deal, and inferior to the important real world. And these days, even inferior to the artificial world. To further confuse things, the not-so-picture-book world simultaneously touts ideas to be A VERY BIG DEAL INDEED requiring, among other things, pricey educations, and/or pricey travel, and/or for you to be among an elite—the talented (topic for another day). And, of course, you’ll need all it’s spiffy artificial offerings, too.

To be clear, I’m a fan of a good education, and travel gets a BIG YES! from me—they’re great ways to spark ideas. They’re just not in charge of ideas, and neither is anyone or anything else—real or artificial— as far as I can tell. Which is good news, even if it does include us.

So…how do we get ideas, then? By brainstorming?

Oof, that word “get”…so grabby. I think ideas prefer to be “let” in. I mean, wouldn’t you?

And brainstorming is really about getting answers, if you think about it. And answers are quite different than ideas, if you think about it. Brainstorming can work for ideas, but only in THE MOST non-judgmental, expansive, and open states. And let’s face it, brains really struggle with that.

(Also, not to be over-picky, but that word— brainSTORM? What idea in its right mind would land in a storm? I wrote about that here.)

What, then?

Knowing that we’re not in charge of ideas, and that we’d still really love to collaborate with them… it behooves us to…befriend them… even WOO them.

Woo?

Yes, woo. You know, let them know you’re into them. That you’re available.

How?

First, for this WOO Phase of Creativity, as I call it, it’s helpful to be aware of what ideas like, and to put yourself in their way sometimes. Generally, I find ideas like a little openness. They like curiosity. Wonder. They like a little stroll. Fresh air is good. Heck, they like some soap and water, even—you know they love to pop in when you’re showering. It’s inopportune to find you dripping wet but ideas prefer to wait until you’re not so scheduled and on point about everything. What choice do they have?

Now… let me let you in on a delightful secret about this WOO Phase of Creativity. The secret, magical potion is to add in some of what you like—as much as you can tolerate— because you’re really woo-ing… yourself. You know, that human self with the flaws and the creative rocket fuel that I wrote about here. That part of you already knows how to play with ideas and create and does not need this newsletter reminder!

But for the part of you that does need this newsletter reminder… you will have to DO things with your idea, in real time, in the real world. The WOO Phase of Creativity has to be followed by The DO Phase of Creativity. And this phase is on you. I know you’re busy and that’s okay. Baby steps count! As long as you’re more or less consistent in the DO Phase.

The trickiest part is refraining from thinking The DO Phase will be straightforward. The not-so-picture book world has come up with these mythical figures—the GO-GETTERS— who GET ideas then GO GO GO GO GO in a straight line to fame and fortune. Only that’s not a thing. Even with its’ artificial accoutrements.

It’s far more likely to start off awkwardly between you and the idea; it will be more like a game of charades. That’s because ideas, being incorporeal and formless, are trying to communicate with us, to move us into creative action, but we are—no offense—meaty and dense. So expect to be as clunky as a caveman, especially with a new idea. Expect to be squinting into nothing, and gesticulating foolishly. Expect to be occasionally delighted when a piece clicks into place. Expect to be baffled when you’re lost again. Expect to be embarrassingly inefficient sometimes. No—often, actually. And let’s wear that as a badge of honor because we are serving creativity, not efficiency.

If you’re in— WOO-ing and DO-ing, WOO-ing and DO-ing, WOO-ing and DO-ing—sometimes the idea will really unspool, and take you beyond your wildest imaginings, into a picture book world!

Fingers-crossed!

xoxo