Innovative ideas all around me....something I’ve been thinking about lately are Reality TV shows, those are extremely creative. Ideas built off of those shows have lead to other Reality shows. I don’t much like Rock of Love or Biggest Loser, no….I’m instead addicted to Project Runway and Top Chef. I’ve been intrigued since the very beginning. I don’t know a thing about fashion and I don’t own a sewing machine, I have no idea where the sewing needles are and I’m not a professional chef, but what I love about these shows is the level of creativity and innovation. How can you create a wearable runway outfit in 24 hours? How can you make a gourmet meal out of weird surprise ingredients? We might all be able to learn something about innovation from shows like these or Celebrity Apprentice, even Survivor.
I honestly haven’t been very innovative at home, besides in the kitchen. I can tell you an idea my husband implemented though that I thought was dumb until I realized it actually worked. Instead of buying a door draft guard, he created one using a rolled up blanket and our foot mat. He started with the rolled up blanket first, but it wasn’t the best idea. Then - I didn’t understand the reason why he started to put the foot mat on the blanket, but I realized that it’s because the mat has a rubber bottom & is what is keeping the blanket tight up against the door. Admittedly – no more drafts. However, it is a bit of a pain in the butt to get it back to the “right” way after opening the door.
I’ve learned so much in this class. I’ve learned that an idea doesn’t have to be loud or scream out at you, it can be simple and have been obvious all along. It could be a puzzle (metaphorically speaking) and rearranging the pieces could spark even more ideas. You could think of an idea on your own, you could think of an idea while researching something not even related (this happened a lot for me), or think of something new from just one person saying “have you thought about it this way?” You could brainstorm with a group; you could build off of another idea. Your idea might not work, but you can learn from that. My personal goal and my goal as a leader, is to continue to encourage all of the above.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Have An Open Mind
Being that this is my last innovation journal, one thing I plan to do is to continue this on a weekly basis. Then by looking back at them, I can track myself and the implementation of my ideas.
I’ve started to read, well not read, more like preview some self help books. I guess I got hooked by watching these people on TV. Like on Oprah, Dr. Phil, and even some infomercials. Most of them, if not all, recommend keeping a life journal. One, to express their thoughts, and others, to make a “to do” list. Things like setting goals and how they are going to accomplish them. I know this probably isn’t the true definition of innovation, but to be innovative we need to start with ourselves, and not to rely on others. I also keep running into the fact that to be innovative, we need to compromise and listen to the ideas of others. For example, this last weekend I was moving into a new place. When it came time to take the mattress and box spring upstairs, we found it was a tight fit. We managed to cram the mattress up the steps, being it’s somewhat flexible. But when it came to the box spring, that was a different story. Seeing that a box spring is very rigid, it wouldn’t fit between the step and the ceiling. I kept on telling them turn it this way and they insisted on turning it the other way. Getting a little more than irritated, I said no, it has to go this way. But it didn’t go. Then my 15 year old son asked if we could please just try it the other way just once. Of course you know how this little story ends. It goes right up with an inch to spare. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in this class is I need to know that I’m not always right. Believe me when I say I’ve known this for years, but still haven’t changed. Perhaps reading it out of a book and being taught by a teacher will help pound it through my thick skull.
I must also say that I’ve enjoyed being in this class. I enjoyed the interactive nature of the class. It makes it more fun and easier to learn.. Also Lori, in my class has taught me a lot too. She always points out the other side of my ideas, and drives me to get things done. I thank all of you!
I’ve started to read, well not read, more like preview some self help books. I guess I got hooked by watching these people on TV. Like on Oprah, Dr. Phil, and even some infomercials. Most of them, if not all, recommend keeping a life journal. One, to express their thoughts, and others, to make a “to do” list. Things like setting goals and how they are going to accomplish them. I know this probably isn’t the true definition of innovation, but to be innovative we need to start with ourselves, and not to rely on others. I also keep running into the fact that to be innovative, we need to compromise and listen to the ideas of others. For example, this last weekend I was moving into a new place. When it came time to take the mattress and box spring upstairs, we found it was a tight fit. We managed to cram the mattress up the steps, being it’s somewhat flexible. But when it came to the box spring, that was a different story. Seeing that a box spring is very rigid, it wouldn’t fit between the step and the ceiling. I kept on telling them turn it this way and they insisted on turning it the other way. Getting a little more than irritated, I said no, it has to go this way. But it didn’t go. Then my 15 year old son asked if we could please just try it the other way just once. Of course you know how this little story ends. It goes right up with an inch to spare. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in this class is I need to know that I’m not always right. Believe me when I say I’ve known this for years, but still haven’t changed. Perhaps reading it out of a book and being taught by a teacher will help pound it through my thick skull.
I must also say that I’ve enjoyed being in this class. I enjoyed the interactive nature of the class. It makes it more fun and easier to learn.. Also Lori, in my class has taught me a lot too. She always points out the other side of my ideas, and drives me to get things done. I thank all of you!
Friday, February 8, 2008
Whack ME on the side of the head...
I’m struggling with something to write, I’ve been so focused on Supervision topics and Ethics topics I can’t think straight any longer (and worrying about this Innovation paper, little scared I’m not going to be able to cover all the topics I’m supposed to).
I’ll tell you what I’ve been doing outside of school lately, which might spark some ideas (ha, being innovative already). I’ve been doing some work on http://www.ancestry.com/ (be careful, it's addictive). Now there is an innovative website. Who would’ve thought you could actually find out who your ancestors were by studying census records and immigration records dating back to the 1800’s? What an invention! When someone thought of that, were they told it would be impossible to get all that information to be so accessible? It gets better all the time.
Another thing I’ve been doing is, as I’ve already told you, been innovative with my budget and cooking. I made a bacon quiche (was supposed to be seafood or ham, but we only had bacon). Didn’t turn out so bad, though my husband did NOT want to eat it at first…he finished off ALL the rest of it, by the way. Let me know if you want the recipe.
Which brings me to another “sore” subject, my braces – who on earth thought of those? How did they know they were going to work? How did they discover that if they remove or pull this tooth over here, the rest would follow…and not fall out? How many times did they fail before it worked? Apparently it dates back even before Hippocrates and Aristotle. It amazes me every time I go to the orthodontist; he takes a look & tells the girl (the one with her whole hand in my mouth) what to do. I think it makes no sense at all, but even after a few months, I can see the shift and the direction he wants my teeth to go. How amazing is that? Now if they could only come up with a way to reduce the time it takes. Check out the history of braces website if you're curious. http://www.archwired.com/HistoryofOrtho.htm
What else, I’ve been reading Roger Von Oech’s blog. I’ve decided that he’s either completely genius or insane…or…both. But it’s definitely interesting and stimulating. http://blog.creativethink.com/ if you haven’t checked it out yet, though it’s pretty much insight from the book & the Whack Pack.
I’ll tell you what I’ve been doing outside of school lately, which might spark some ideas (ha, being innovative already). I’ve been doing some work on http://www.ancestry.com/ (be careful, it's addictive). Now there is an innovative website. Who would’ve thought you could actually find out who your ancestors were by studying census records and immigration records dating back to the 1800’s? What an invention! When someone thought of that, were they told it would be impossible to get all that information to be so accessible? It gets better all the time.
Another thing I’ve been doing is, as I’ve already told you, been innovative with my budget and cooking. I made a bacon quiche (was supposed to be seafood or ham, but we only had bacon). Didn’t turn out so bad, though my husband did NOT want to eat it at first…he finished off ALL the rest of it, by the way. Let me know if you want the recipe.
Which brings me to another “sore” subject, my braces – who on earth thought of those? How did they know they were going to work? How did they discover that if they remove or pull this tooth over here, the rest would follow…and not fall out? How many times did they fail before it worked? Apparently it dates back even before Hippocrates and Aristotle. It amazes me every time I go to the orthodontist; he takes a look & tells the girl (the one with her whole hand in my mouth) what to do. I think it makes no sense at all, but even after a few months, I can see the shift and the direction he wants my teeth to go. How amazing is that? Now if they could only come up with a way to reduce the time it takes. Check out the history of braces website if you're curious. http://www.archwired.com/HistoryofOrtho.htm
What else, I’ve been reading Roger Von Oech’s blog. I’ve decided that he’s either completely genius or insane…or…both. But it’s definitely interesting and stimulating. http://blog.creativethink.com/ if you haven’t checked it out yet, though it’s pretty much insight from the book & the Whack Pack.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Thinking faster on my feet
I don’t want to talk about commercials again, as I did a few blogs ago, but I have to honestly say that they are the things that really get me thinking about innovation – like who thought that type of marketing would work, does it work, why didn’t they do it a different way or spend more on their budget? Maybe that means I’m more of a visual person when I thought I was more intuitive. I always was more of a thinker, I was one of those type of people that when presented with something, especially in a meeting, couldn’t think fast on my feet, but after thinking about it for awhile, processing it in my head, turning it around and around, looking at different angles (like that awful dodecahedron, as soon as I saw it in the Whack on the Side of the Head textbook – I KNEW I was going to have to put that thing together - p.s. thanks Dan for helping me finally get it together) and then come back to you with all my ideas, suggestions and questions. I suppose it’s something I need to work further on – thinking quicker on my feet. If you have some suggestions on how I can work on that, please post your comments!
I think that by taking the Workplace Innovation class, it’s helped in several ways. I definitely feel more confident to speak up; I’m finding more ways to think outside the box. I’m not instantly discouraged if my idea isn’t the “right” one. I like the group projects because I’m always stunned when two things happen – when I think of something someone else hasn’t and when someone else thinks of something I haven’t. I hope that made sense.
I think that by taking the Workplace Innovation class, it’s helped in several ways. I definitely feel more confident to speak up; I’m finding more ways to think outside the box. I’m not instantly discouraged if my idea isn’t the “right” one. I like the group projects because I’m always stunned when two things happen – when I think of something someone else hasn’t and when someone else thinks of something I haven’t. I hope that made sense.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
The Mind of a Child
I was in Wal-Mart yesterday and my eyes caught these two kids, about 5 I guess, playing with two empty boxes. I can't even recall all the things they were going to do with those boxes. They were houses, cars spaceships,and tons of things I can't even remember. This little time of fun and "innovation" came to a sad finish when the big mean boss guy came and took away they're imaginations, but only for a minute. If we all had the creativity of a child and the inteelect of an adult, we'd be exploring the universe as we speak.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Perspectives
Can you believe it is session #4 already? Where did the time go?
I can tell you that I’ve been very innovative in the kitchen lately. Since I’ve had a bit of extra time on my hands, I've been trying some Food Network recipes out. http://www.foodnetwork.com/ However, since I’m financially strapped because of school – I have to be innovative with ingredients, which makes it either very exciting, or if you’re my husband – sometimes scary. I won’t bore you w/the details of the English Steak Guinness and Cheese pie that turned into a combination of an Emeril and Jamie Oliver recipe making it an MGD, Pepper Jack (instead of white cheddar) Canned Mushroom, Beef Brisket Pie. Luckily my husband loved it! (Or at least knew better than to say anything negative…very smart.) Let me know if you want the recipe LOL.
The classroom activities have been great, as I’ve mentioned in the past. I particularly enjoyed the photography “perspectives” exercise. It really made me think about everything in a different light and understand the word perspective better. Who knew a round gray satellite dish would look neat against a square tiled ceiling? It also helped me look through the eyes of Brian & Dan, my classmates, which was interesting. It let me see that they did have a creative side and the activity definitely engaged all of us. I saw Dan really light up on this one, I've posted the pics above & below so you can see for yourself.
I can tell you that I’ve been very innovative in the kitchen lately. Since I’ve had a bit of extra time on my hands, I've been trying some Food Network recipes out. http://www.foodnetwork.com/ However, since I’m financially strapped because of school – I have to be innovative with ingredients, which makes it either very exciting, or if you’re my husband – sometimes scary. I won’t bore you w/the details of the English Steak Guinness and Cheese pie that turned into a combination of an Emeril and Jamie Oliver recipe making it an MGD, Pepper Jack (instead of white cheddar) Canned Mushroom, Beef Brisket Pie. Luckily my husband loved it! (Or at least knew better than to say anything negative…very smart.) Let me know if you want the recipe LOL.
The classroom activities have been great, as I’ve mentioned in the past. I particularly enjoyed the photography “perspectives” exercise. It really made me think about everything in a different light and understand the word perspective better. Who knew a round gray satellite dish would look neat against a square tiled ceiling? It also helped me look through the eyes of Brian & Dan, my classmates, which was interesting. It let me see that they did have a creative side and the activity definitely engaged all of us. I saw Dan really light up on this one, I've posted the pics above & below so you can see for yourself.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
