let’s SESSION for a day
I visit your hQ and walk people through a series of presentations and experiential exercises. JUST “CREATIVES”? SURE. OR… WHY NOT INVITE ALL THE ROLES? if I do it right, the day is compelling, interesting, & fun. there are breaks to re-set and tend to “hot work messages” so we aren’t distracted, then we gather again, rinse and repeat. we use the lunch hour similarly - all are encouraged to do one’s own thing in silence, digesting in more ways than one. think of it as an “interval style” day of inspiration.
The goal of the day is two-fold, and one builds on the other. 1. We first want each person to understand and learn how to create the conditions for “stillness creativity,” how to naturally allow powerful ideas and insights to emerge, the way the world’s most innovative artists have done through history. 2. We next focus on helping your entire creative organism understand its radical potential as a collective of creatives united in common vision. This second goal is a big part of the day. With new focus on allowing people to “work from anywhere,” we can learn how to use your company’s “in-person culture” for both wellness and advantage, so that creativity can flow in natural ways that support what happens when we work in silos. We will consider and practice what it means to work together with presence, how to allow every interaction to build ideas, encourage insights, strengthen community and yield “IN-spiration.” We will begin to appreciate your “brick and mortar HQ” as a “creativity engine-room.” Well worth the commute.
~ 1 / general presentation on stillness creativity. (60)
turn off your phones. use analog notes. this is being recorded if you want to reference it later. relax, but please listen with full attention.
~ 2 / go try it. (30)
I WILL WALK everyone THROUGH THIS. VERY STRUCTURED SUGGESTIONS on what to do for the next half hour. go pee too. get a snack if you need it. see you in 30.
~ 3 / TELL ME ABOUT “HOW IT really GOES” HERE (60)
we settle back in. I ask participants TO tell me openly about “how it goes” at this company. whiteboarding to find precious co-creativity opps. THE OLD CLICHÉ WATER-COOLER MOMENTS. FOR DIFFERENT ROLES.
Lunch Hour / Do Your Own Thing. Digest in Silence. (60)
~ 4 / CAN YOUR COMPANY BECOME “THE WORLD’S MOST PRESENT ___________”? (60)
we session to reframe THE company’s creative potential. wHAT IF EVERYONE IS ALIGNED ON THE intention TO make EVERY PROJECT, EVERY SLACK MESSAGE, EVERY LUNCHROOM GREETING, EVERY WALK FROM CAR TO BUILDING, EVERY COMMUTE HOME INTO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR STILLNESS CREATIVITY? WHAT IF this company BECOMES a transformative creative CULTURE thanks to ITS ABSOLUTE DEDICATION TO FOSTERING, ENCOURAGING, SUPPORTING AND REMINDING EACH OTHER OF THE POWER OF ALLOWING CREATIVITY TO EMERGE ? to better and more seamlessly INNOVATE, SOLVE CREATIVE BRIEFS, HEAL tENSE RELATIONAL PATTERNS, MAXIMIZE EFFICIENCY AND SO MUCH MORE.
~ 5 / go CONTEMPLATE THIS. GO TRY it WITH SOMEONE NOT HERE. GO MAKE A CALL. GO WRITE AN EMAIL. GO SIT WITH SOMEONE FOR 10 MINUTES AND SAY NOTHING. JUST WATCH YOUR THOUGHTS. GO LET AN IDEA EMERGE FOR AN OPEN BRIEF YOU’VE GOT COOKING. (45)
~ 6 / now let’s get real and practical about “the darker side” of being a modern human in a paid creative role – and how to apply stillness to these aspects. (60)
how can we look at “reactivity” with this new lens? how might we regard feelings of “stress” or “overwhelm” in a totally different way? what can we do to shift the baggage around “burnout” (or boredom, for that matter) and see these dynamics for what they really are? how can stillness creativity also be used as a way to watch our judgment of others with non-judgment, so that our “natural human stuff” doesn’t get in the way but can instead be gently set aside so that productivity still shines through?
Now please go for a 30 minute walk without your phone. Don’t speak. Don’t make eye contact with anyone.
Move intentionally slow.
Watch your mind wander, and simply bring it back to each step.
~ 7 / ASK, SHARE WHAT YOU LEARNED (Q&A / 30 OR 60)
NOTE: I’ve found it’s best to keep a day like this “analog,” so we can focus attention on each other and connect. If there is a need for digital-connection to other offices or others who want to participate over a Zoom-type screen, we can absolutely make it part of it. But I will prioritize those who show in person, and ask that we don’t get distracted by the tech/screens.