The Creative Pause

When was the last time you took a road trip, venturing off

the path of daily life to explore some new surroundings?

I recently completed a road trip to Baviaanskloof, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and home to the four-day Leopard Trail hike.  The trip involved exploration of mountains and valleys, of rivers and streams, of people and places, largely unseen. Breathtaking. Heart expanding.  Mind-altering.  I highly recommend it. 

Something struck me on the journey.  It's hours and hours of driving, from Cape Town to the start of the hike, probably around 9 hours in total, and without stops. I noticed that when we were driving in one direction, it was hard to look in another one. As the driver, I needed to keep my eyes on the road and, now and again, would glance left and right to take in the surroundings, occasionally looking in the rear-view mirror, mostly for safety reasons.  Have you ever caught yourself doing that in life?  Not stopping to take in what's right in front of you because you have to get somewhere in a hurry, or by a certain time, or to meet a deadline? Our deadline for Baviaans was the start time of the hike. 

The end of the drive involved more than 100km on a dirt road, requiring high levels of concentration, and at a reasonable speed. My Defender made sure we got safely to the destination, even if a little shaken around by the bumps in the road. As the driver, it was only at the start of the hike that I got a chance to take it all in.  To stop for a moment to absorb the air, see the views, and appreciate what was around me. In creative thinking, we call this the creative pause.  It's an intentional moment when you stop whatever you are doing and direct your attention to what's around you.  This moment in time allows you to appreciate how far you have come, take stock of where you are now, and check in to evaluate, or maybe rethink, where you are going.  More importantly, it gives you an opportunity to explore other directions in your thinking.  Potentially, some you have never thought of before.  Ideas often come in those moments, as we notice the things, people, and places we have not paid attention to before. 

Pay Attention

David Reynolds, in his book Constructive Living, said, "Life is attention".  I believe him.  I read this book in 1997, the first year I started my business.  For me, the creative pause is a superb way to practice paying attention.  It's a simple mindful process, not unlike meditation. And so simple to do. Here's a simple 5-step process that might only take you two minutes. 

• Step 1 - Stop.  Stop whatever you are doing. Shut the laptop. Turn your phone off. Just stop, take a breath, and look ahead of you. In one direction. 

• Step 2 - Pay Attention. What do you see? What's right in front of you? Right now. Take that in. Is it the view, the people, a corner of the room, a book, a window, the wall, the sky? 

• Step 3 - Explore. What else can you see? Imagine you are on a chair with wheels, turning slowly one degree at a time. Now what do you see? Direct your attention and stop again, as if you were doing a North, South, East, West exploration of where you are at. Stop and pause in each direction? Now what do you see? What do you notice that you didn't notice before? 

• Step 4 - Express Gratitude. When I lived in Johannesburg, I remember the contrast of the blue sky and the green trees. This daily practice reminded me that I was alive and to be grateful for life. One moment of gratitude can make a thousand moments of difference, especially when we live in a world where so many feel unseen. Say thank you, 

• Step 5 - Think Again. Ask what else could there be? How else could this be? What is possible? What else can I see? An intentional exploration of alternatives can often surface new directions in thinking, changing perceptions, and perspectives. 

Such a simple act also shows us the power of the creative pause as a tool for creative thinking. I encourage you to take two minutes and have a go. Make it a daily practice. 

In writing this newsletter, I took time to pause and reflect on The Thinking Company and how far we have come since the beginning of the year.  It’s remarkable to see what we've achieved in 7 months. A few reflections and links below. We have...

1. Launched de Bono Thinking - a website and LinkedIn page dedicated to the work of Dr Edward de Bono.  We need creative thinking more than ever right now, and it’s a privilege to be standing on the edge at this time, with years of experience under our belt.  Solving wicked problems comes naturally to us, so we’ve seen an uptake in this work.  De Bono also deserves to be recognized for anticipating the need for creative thinking.  I recall him saying; There is a mathematical and statistical need for creativity. While AI Fever takes hold, and we are called to understand our human role in the future, it would seem that creativity may lie at the core of our humanness. 

2. Completed our first Thinking Academy for young and future leaders, with feedback that has been more than heartwarming.  I always believed that this would be the space where teaching thinking might have the best, most, value.  I wasn’t disappointed.  When a group of young people leave your office after three days and say “you’ve changed my life,” and “I have tools for life,” and “I just did in 40 minutes what would have taken me hours,” and “I feel more confident,” then, for me, Ieel it was 3 days well spent.  I remain wholly convinced that teaching thinking builds confidence. 

3. Designed the Serious Creativity Series.  I’ve found that conversations with peers, especially from professions, take on new dimensions.  I value diversity, so I love to be in the thick of complex dialogue and problem-solving sessions, with a cross-section of people, what I call a SLICE of life.  And yet something magical also happens when you have like-minded people, solving like-minded problems.  So we have curated a series of focused programs for professionals, including Creative Thinking for Engineers and Technical Experts, for Wellness and Health Professionals, for Accountants and Financial Managers, and, wait for it, for Military and Security Personnel. 

4. Relaunched The Thinking Fund, now a fully fledged non-profit organisation, as well as started Woodstock Open Studios to showcase artists in Woodstock, home to our office, and to raise enough funding for another bursary, or two, in the arts. 

I am super proud of the team.  The Thinking Academy was so well-received that we've been asked to do one for grown-ups.  In September this year, we will be launching a Rethink Your Future Retreat. Drop us a note if you’re keen to learn more. 

In the meantime, feel free to check out our websites -debonothinking.com and thinkingacademy.co.za.    And a big thank you to Louise van Rhyn, who gave me an eagle push to get this newsletter out, and an equal thank you to everyone who read this far, and for journeying with us. Your support and commitment to thinking differently is so appreciated.

Happy Thinking, Nicola

PS:  The energy in our Woodstock Office is truly inspiring.  Books, creative spaces, and thinking pods.  Feel free to drop in for a coffee and a creative pause any time you're in the hood.