One of my favorite parts of being alive is the rapture of an inspiration; getting triggered by anything out there that might reveal an association to a blog post, a book chapter, a creative prompt, a podcast, an illustration, or a silly amusement. That's exhilarating to me, but I'm a creativity geek. I know some of you are too.
But then there's even more intoxication that comes in the intuitive detour, when something reveals itself because the moment seduces me to spontaneously deviate from the original plan.
Plans get me started, but rarely do I follow their course. Once focused on the process with devotion, I invariably am led deeper than my original intention ... plus watching for intuitive detours is radically pleasing.
Being flexible about the direction my project takes gives me the ticket to a thousand new worlds; following one plan... not so much. And I know people have told me they worry about having too many directions. You will know the right one by the shot of spiritual energy it shoots through your veins. You must pay attention, take care not to be too fickle.
Paying attention to the curious moment's new offerings has become a style, a carnival, a catalyst for some of the best results I've experienced, ones that exceed my expectations - the pleasant surprise. Life is too full of pain, loss, and crankiness not to embrace those pleasant surprises when they come along.
An example of this kind of attention-paying was demonstrated on National Public Radio last week. It was a story about public service announcements around the domestic violence that has been too often reported recently among football players. A spot planned one way took a powerfully poignant turn when someone paid attention, saw the creative possibility in the moment, and deviated from the script.
It is a series of PSAs called “Speechless” that has been airing during NFL broadcasts featuring current and former NFL players who were so moved by the content of the shoot that they were rendered speechless.
The players were to read scripts on camera that acknowledged domestic violence and its alternatives. What happened was the players were going over the script in preparation to read it, unaware that the cameras were rolling. The director saw that the raw emotion in their faces revealed more than anything they could possibly say. So the televised announcements moved from the initial idea of players reading cue cards about domestic violence to one where the speechless and unrehearsed looks on their faces shed light on how difficult it is for anyone to talk about domestic violence and sexual assault which remain taboo, hidden and painful subjects. A message that reaches much deeper than talking and one that has more emotional impact, also validating that it is difficult to talk about it, normalizing this fact so that people will take steps to do so anyway.
Creative brilliance reveals itself in unplanned moments. Our multitasking minds can distract our attention; becoming present is vital to intensify our creative potential. What possibility is sitting right beside you as you read this? Ask: "What will I hear or see that will give me a new direction?"
Are you willing to give up the goal you had for the one that knocks it out of the ballpark?