I'm in need of a little inspiration for a project I'm working on. What direction should I go? Time to reach into the Creative Whack Pack. It's card # 53: "Flex Your Risk Muscle." This is one that always demands some action. It reads:
Bull's-eye
every time? If so, you're standing too close to the target. If you're
not failing every now and again, it's a sign you're not doing anything
very innovative. Everyone has a "risk muscle." You keep it in shape by
trying new things. If you don't, it atrophies and you're no longer able
to take chances. How
can you exercise your risk muscle? What kinds of risk can you take
while pursuing your issue? What's the biggest, most sensible risk you
can take?
I'm not quite sure how to interpret this, but three ideas come immediately to mind: 1) to call a person I'd been putting off for fear of not getting through or looking stupid; 2) getting some prototypes out for some feedback (even though I'm not sure they're quite ready — isn't that almost always the case?); and 3) being a little more adventuresome in my design.
I'm sure I'll think of other interpretations over the next few days.
getting some prototypes out for some feedback (even though I'm not sure they're quite ready )
1. That's why they're called "prototypes".
2. It's better to put them out when they aren't ready. That way:
a. You haven't put so much time into something only to have to make changes later.
b. You don't have so much invested in making it perfect that you're disappointed/offended when there is negative feedback.
c. Reviewers aren't put off from giving negative feedback by seeing a product that is too polished.
Posted by: Maria Helm | 11 February 2008 at 06:52 AM
Maria: All good points. And well taken. Thanks.
Posted by: Roger von Oech | 11 February 2008 at 10:24 AM
Sometimes risk is defined by the degree of belief we have in the idea/ourselves. Too much and we are stubborn, too little and we risk all the time.
Posted by: Valeria Maltoni | 12 February 2008 at 04:02 AM
I'm not sure if this counts, but the biggest risk I ever took was to walk out of a well paying job. Note that I said well paying rather than good.
I just didn't enjoy the job, I wasn't being stimulated and I felt that although I had job security, I would never progress as a person.
The problem was having a decent income, that can get in the way of your decision process. If I am safe in my job no matter how boring it is, why take risks? Well one day I took the risk, I decided to hand in my notice and force myself in to moving on to something better. I literally decided on the spur of the moment to write the resignation letter, even though I had no plans on what I was going to do next.
It was the best decision I ever made since I got a much better job soon after, whilst at the same time used my "between jobs" time to learn how to play the piano.
Posted by: Robert | 13 February 2008 at 02:03 AM
I like this post... one of my favorites so far
Posted by: Jim Robert | 13 February 2008 at 03:59 PM
Valeria: Good way of looking at it: there is a special risk zone.
Robert: Thanks for the story!
Jim: Thanks!
Posted by: Roger von Oech | 13 February 2008 at 06:46 PM