Leading Upside by Expressing Your Creativity
Your work is the way you get to express your CREATIVITY.
The 3M Company encourages creativity from its employees. The company allows its researchers to spend 15 percent of their time on any project that interests them.
This attitude has brought fantastic benefits not only to the employees but to the 3M Company itself many times — a spark of an idea turned into a successful product has boosted 3M’s profits tremendously.
Some years ago, a scientist in 3M’s commercial office took advantage of this 15 percent creative time.
This scientist, Art Fry, came up with an idea for one of 3M’s best-selling products.
It seems that Art Fry dealt with a small irritation every Sunday as he sang in the church choir.
After marking his pages in the hymnal with small bits of paper, the small pieces would invariably fall out all over the floor.
Suddenly, an idea struck Fry.
He remembered an adhesive developed by a colleague that everyone thought was a failure because it did not stick very well.
“I coated the adhesive on a paper sample,” Fry recalls, “and I found that it was not only a good bookmark, but it was great for writing notes. It will stay in place as long as you want it to, and then you can remove it without damage.”
Yes, Art Fry hit the jackpot.
The resulting product was called Post-it! and has become one of 3M’s most successful office products.
– Author Unknown”
When I read this, it had me reflect on those who take advantage of the 15% rule – and fully use their GIFTS, ABILITIES, TALENTS, and EXPERIENCES to make the world better.
You are a CREATIVE BEING.
Your creativity amazes others —
— who you are and
— what you have accomplished.
For you, ANYTHING is possible,
For YOU, the world is filled with POSSIBILITY.
Unfortunately, there are times when that is NOT SO EASY TO SEE.
There may be weeks when thinking about using 15% of your time to do WHAT INTERESTS YOU vs. WHAT ‘NEEDS’ TO GET DONE… seems CRAZY and downright IMPOSSIBLE.
I understand.
I’ve been there.
So, let me remind you…
…you are a CREATIVE BEING and
…… your family,
.…your friends,
…your community,
…your co-workers,
…your colleagues, and/or
…your employees, and
…the world at large
NEED YOUR BRILLIANCE.
There are things you SEE and are here on the planet to SOLVE that will make the world better.
So TODAY choose to spend 15% of your time on a project that interests you…
… One that has been CALLING you…
… One that requires your CREATIVITY,
… One that you have been putting off until “someday”.
Create.
Have a-ha moments.
Make something amazing.
–> What multi-million-dollar idea will you generate this week?
–> How will you be a FORCE for GOOD on the PLANET?
Whatever it is, take the time to ENJOY every minute of it.
See Upside.
Be Upside.
Lead Upside… because the world needs you and your brilliance, now more than ever.
Go shine your light.
ACTION: The Upside Challenge of the week is to determine what 15% of your work time is in hours and minutes.
Schedule time in your calendar for that 15% amount, reserved for creative time. Label it. Guard it as an important meeting.
See what happens as you make room for yourself and your creativity!