Joywork Part 2: Be Creative Through Ideas

Imagine. It's the essence of all creativity. You ignite a spark every time you connect your professional productivity to projects that matter to you. I call it Joywork. You can be creative with three types of ideas: Ground Level, Atmospheric, and Stratospheric, by developing an understanding of how each one works in your life.

Ground Level Ideas
They're practical ideas. Predictable moves that lead you from a to b, and from b to c. Ground Level Ideas are comfortable steps forward. If you've ever left one job for another, with similar salary and benefits, it was a Ground Level Idea. If you've ever moved from one neighborhood or town to another, it's a Ground Level Idea.

They're your safe moves and sure bets. The risk is minimal, almost non-existent. It's called Ground Level because it's closest to your feet and similar to the footsteps you already take. But, these ideas can only take you so far. Sooner or later you'll get bored and be hungry for more, or you'll burn out from doing the same thing, the same way, for years. That's where Atmospheric Ideas come in. It's the natural process of growing and developing the self.

Atmospheric Ideas
They're seen as far fetched, out of reach, and out of your comfort zone. You've experienced an Atmospheric Idea if you've ever applied for a position for which you didn't feel 100% qualified, but you applied anyway. If you've ever left a career that gave you financial comforts, without a new one to catch you, living purely on faith. . . now you understand. If you've ever started a business and felt your heart race and your stomach flip, or you've taken on a project that was more responsibility than you've ever known, you're getting warmer.

Atmospheric Ideas are ideas you see as "over your head." You might call it thinking big or thinking outside the box. No matter what you call it, when you're passionate about your work, you'll be more creative and receive more ideas than you can count.

You'll become comfortable with discomfort. You'll start asking, "What if?" "Why not?" "What's next?" You'll be thinking "Big Picture" and not just small details. And, the details won't fog up your path. Atmospheric Ideas are similar to having a bird's eye view of the landscape. All you have to do is aim.

Stratospheric Ideas
A Stratospheric Idea is an idea far beyond anything you would have dreamed in your lifetime. You may see it as out of your realm of possibility. Scientists, Educators, and Humanitarians have Stratospheric Ideas. When Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross it was a Stratospheric Idea.

When you have one, there will be no doubt. Your "What if?" will be followed by "Are you crazy?" or "You've gone mad." You'll hear time and time again how it's never been done. . . not in your lifetime. That's what makes it a Stratospheric Idea, it's out of the realm of everyday possibility.

Pay attention to your ideas and ask yourself if they're on your Ground Level, in your Atmosphere, or Stratosphere. Wishing you more opportunities to be creative, be curious, and keep asking "Why?" May your days be filled with productivity and joy!

Copyright 2011. Asia Sharif-Clark. All rights reserved.

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