A video experience of Iceland... with some transferable lessons learned (maybe, possibly, hopefully).

Firstly, and I really, really mean it...

This is my favourite picture.

• This life changing adventure was courtesy of the great people at G Adventures.
• Iceland is a mystical place and cannot be experienced anywhere else.
•  "My Head is an Animal" by  Of Monsters and Men will forever be the sound track of my Iceland adventure - It is a must for your music collection.

Secondly, I've included my favourite picture of Iceland and a video of my ten day adventure... the reasons I hope are self-explanatory.

Thirdly, those lessons that I had mentioned (some of which I'm sure are transferable):

Lesson #1: Understand the situation you are dealing with and do your homework - A taxi is $180 from the airport to Reykjavik, while the bus (that is just as comfortable) is $25. As you may guess, I just instinctively jumped in the cab.

Lesson #2: Wandering through the darkness (with vague instructions hand) to soak in a hot spring is far more fulfilling than following the crowd the next day in the daylight - Striking out on your own is sometimes much more satisfying than following the crowd; not to mention the interesting people you meet.

Lesson #3: Teaching someone to set up their tent more than once serves no one - There are some skills you need to learn for yourself... mastery comes with practice.

Lesson #4: When you get the opportunity to sleep "indoors" in Iceland or camp in a lush poplar forest in Iceland, opt for the poplar forest option as you can sleep indoors anywhere - Lean into something you don't normally have the opportunity to do.

Lesson #5: Stuff will happen... a wet, non functioning cel phone in your pocket; water sandals breaking just before the big river crossing; a twinged knee after slipping on a rock - All problems can be solved with unemotional thinking, a little luck, some help from your friends, and when needed, just having the stoic wherewithal to muscle through it.

Lesson #6:  Whether you are at the front of the group, in the middle, or dead last after hiking twenty-five kilometres doesn't matter. What does matter however, is everyone is in basecamp that evening sharing the experiences of the day - The journey to a goal is as individual as all of us; all to be recognized, supported and celebrated.

Of late it seems Patagonia has been calling me.

iamgpe 

Is it a woman with flowers, creativity, or a different way of looking at things?*

It doesn't take that long to go from one to twenty-one... we have all done it, we have all seen it happen, and if by chance you are less than twenty-one and reading this; trust me, you will be there before you know it. As a father watching his daughter grow into a lovely young woman, it seemed to all happen within a couple of heart beats** - The heart of a loving father who is so very proud; I hope you can appreciate with a knowing smile that most of what I'm about to say will be heavily biased. 

A poor photograph of a stunning Sarah Edwards original that is hanging on my wall.

The title on her very first business card is "Visual Merchandiser and Fabricator". What that actually is becomes apparent as you look at her website, her LinkedIn profile, and almost everything she does for that matter. She is very much a CREATIVE by nature.

And what she creates are "visuals" that capture your attention.

Sarah Edwards Design Website

Sarah Edwards LinkedIn profile

With that obvious and shameless promotion by a loving father behind us, I wanted to offer some thoughts that came about when I attended my daughter's year-end visual merchandising show - All pertaining to the development of better ideas, better plans, better solutions, and ultimately better results (no matter what you are doing). 

Before I take us down any "creatively designed" bunny holes, it's probably worth framing up the context of my thoughts... I've found this can be done very nicely with pithy truisms.

Truism #1: Everything done will be better if more than one person is involved, which fortunately or unfortunately leads to "team dynamics".

Truism #2: Groupthink can offer some advantages but it will compromise Truism #3

Truism #3: Different perspectives lead to a "better everything" - situation understanding, ideas, and solutions.

Truism #4: Just because you don't understand it or agree with it, doesn't mean it isn't a better choice. 

Truism #5: Change will happen and what used to work will eventually stop working.

So as I wandered the show surrounded by dozens of creative souls, their talents and efforts, I found myself saying a couple of times, "I wouldn't have done it that way, but I really like it!" - And with that said, I was reminded THINKING DIFFERENTLY IS GOOD and it leads to new perspectives and ideas; all offering better outcomes. More importantly, I was reminded to search out those who have a different way of looking at things, listen to what they have to say, add their voice to the mix, and let their creativity capture your attention. 

How better to bring creativity to your situational analysis, ideas, planning or implementation then involving a "CREATIVE"... literally.

Here is to the Class of 2016!

iamgpe

*In my mind, the answer to the question in the title is all three.

** Saying  couple of heartbeats is artistic licence as a rough calculation of the number over 21 years is approximately 827,820,000 not accounting for leap years.

How would you fill in the "blanks"?

The following is the original and the rewrite can be found by clicking here

Inspiration sparks creativity and creativity powers action, and this, as we know leads to getting it done - And getting it done, more often than not, takes us to wonderful places... if only to say, "Hey everyone, look what I did!" 

Inspiration is defined as something that makes someone want to do something or that gives someone an idea about what to do or create, and is very much individual. For me, inspiration seems to come from watching the "hustle and bustle" of the world, nature, friends, as well as the biographies, lives and creativity of others* (a majority of whom I will never have the pleasure of meeting) - It is in the creativity of others where I have found my latest inspiration.

It came to me as an "interactive" birthday quote by Neil Gaiman** where the sender can fill in the blanks for the well wishes of the coming year (at least this is how I've interpreted it). The quote looks like this before it is filled in: 

" I hope you have a {fill in blank} year, that you will {fill in blank} dangerously and outrageously, that you'll {fill in blank}, that you will {fill in blank} and that you will {fill in blank}, and that you will have {fill in blank}. And most importantly (because I think there should be more {fill in blank} and {fill in blank} in the world right now) that {fill in blank}, when you need to be, {fill in blank} and that you will {fill in blank}."

Neil Gaiman filled it out like this - 

"I hope you have a wonderful year, that you will dream dangerously and outrageously, that you'll make something that didn't exist before, that you will be loved, and that you will be liked, and that you will have people to love and like in return. And most importantly (because I think there should be more kindness and wisdom in the world right now) that you will, when you need to be, be wise and that you will always be kind."

Inspiration is found in the quote itself to be sure, but it is the creativity behind the quote that has captured my imagination. This creativity offers a framework to make something that has amazing birthday wishes, thought and meaning... and as we all know, fifteen minutes of heart felt effort will trump a pricy gift anytime.

Being more creative still, if you "fill in the blanks" as if you are sending this to your self, it can be used to develop your mantra, your goals and your aspirations - The core values at the heart of who you are, where you want to go, and what you want to be. 

And there is an importance in doing this... it can help ensure your plans, your activities and everything you are doing are aligned with your core vision. Because as you know, being misaligned with this will have you spinning your wheels, missing your goals and probably making you unhappy more often than not.

The utility of this quote is really quite versatile it seems and with all of that said, here what it looks like when I fill in the blanks:

" I hope you have a phenomenal year, that you will explore dangerously and outrageously, that you'll continue to stretch yourself beyond what you know, that you will be mindful and that you will be exhilarated with what you do, and that you will have fun with it. And most importantly (because I think there should be more involvement and collaboration in the world right now) that you will, when you need to be, be present and that you will help those around you."

And if you decide to fill in your own blanks, don't be surprised if it takes you longer than you thought. 

All rather inspirational don't you think?

iamgpe

* The creativity of my daughter offers me regular inspiration.

** Neil Gaiman is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book. He has won numerous awards, including the Hugo, Nebula, and Bram Stoker awards, as well as the Newbery and Carnegie medals. His commencement speak entitled "Make Good Art" is a must see.