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The next stop on our journey in tools for ideation is a space that I call play and
get paid.
Well, unfortunately it isn't quite that easy, but I do want to spend some time
discussing the importance of play and its effects on creativity.
I know that we all wish we had more time for the fun stuff in life.
Kicking back and getting lost in a great game of cards.
Making up a new sport with some kids or
maybe just trying out some free form painting for the heck of it.
This all sounds like fun to me, but
real life always seems to get it our way, doesn't it?
Bills and deadlines and schedules all line up to not allow for much time for play.
Yet this is a very unfortunate state of affairs given that almost everyday
there's a new study revealing the power of play and its impacts on creativity.
Although there are still many things we don't understand about the human mindset,
all indications point to play as an incredible tool in the stimulation of
creative thought, empathy and imagination.
The reason being is that in play, not only do we participate in an activity,
we read the rules.
This act of rule writing is quite critical in the process of removing biases and
allowing free-form thought to power innovation.
This stream of free thought is also critical to honing our improvisation
skills, which is one of the most powerful tools for any entrepreneur.
Without improv skills, entrepreneurs often fail due to an inability to think on
the fly and present solutions within reach and time frame.
Lastly, play is a proven stress reducer.
When you reduce stress you allow your mind to wander to those
places where new ideas live.
It's kind of funny to think that I had to dedicate a slide on how to play, isn't it?
But the reality is most of us are way out of practice.
The good news is there's not much standing on our way to getting things
rolling again.
Even better news is that there really isn't a right or wrong way to do it, in
fact many recent studies are showing that the type of play doesn't make a good deal
of difference but wait did I just state that there are different types of play?
Yes, this is in fact the case.
Let's about free form player expression.
Remember way back in the day when you're imagination was all you needed
to kill time.
I often look at my three year old daughter with such amazement and
slight jealousy as she creates elaborate scenes and
scenarios in her play kitchens with her stuff animals.
Imagine what the neurons in her brain are doing in order to make this happen.
Talk about incredible creativity.
So here's a challenge for you.
Get some colored pencils.
And draw a circle on a blank piece of paper.
I don't care what you draw.
But you have to continually build on the first circle you put down on the paper.
Surprisingly, this can be very daunting for many people.
Don't try to be creative, just build.
If freeform isn't your thing, try playing a game.
Oftentimes, people think of games as limiting because they have rules.
Just like entrepreneurship, you'll have to be creative within the confines and
sets of rules.
The technical term is called creative constraint.
This theory is the antithesis to thinking outside of the box, in fact, many argue
that the more rules there are, the more creative you must become to succeed.
This is certainly true of most sports and games.
Think about the creative offensive and
defensive play calling that takes place in American Football.
Coaches are constantly innovating in this direction, formation,
and motions to keep the opposition on their heels.
This type of creativity has direct applications to the business world, and
the point of play is to harness these lessons for innovative ideation.
In fact, studies are even showing that video games can be beneficial in
development of creativity.
I never would have thought that.
Another interesting challenge is the invention of a new game.
Remember of all the different times as a child, inventing new games with friends?
Try this as an adult, and harness the best of both freedom and regulated play.
The results are impactful and critical to getting creative juices flowing.
Lastly, the greatest challenge of all is making play habitual.
You have to embrace play and playfulness as a given part of your life.
When you're in the ideation phase of your business development,
you can't afford to waste time in the status quo.
Block out time to do this every day, and you'll reap the rewards.
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Ken SzymusiakManaging Director, Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Forrest S. CarterAssociate Professor, Faculty Director of Institute of Entrepreneurship and Innovation
David WheelerCreative Research Faculty, The Hub for Innovation
