A blank sheet of paper . . .

In 1974 Marty Sklar had just been promoted to creative leader of Walt Disney Imagineering -- the creative force behind the theme parks and other guest experiences. At the time Walt Disney World in Florida had just opened and EPCOT Center was on its way (Disneyland in California was in operation). Over his tenure as the leader, it grew to eleven theme parks across the globe on three continents.

Back to 1974 though. In one of his first meetings, Sklar set out a black piece of paper in front of the Imagineers who had gathered for the launch.

"There are two ways to look at a blank sheet of paper," Sklar told the creative team. "It can be the most frightening thing in the world because you have to make the first mark on it. Or it can be the greatest opportunity in the world because you get to make the first mark -- you can let your imagination fly in any direction, and create whole new worlds!"

If a blank sheet of paper were placed in front of you, how would you see it? Answering that question can make all the difference in the world as to what you may or may not create moving forward.

How much is a piece of tape worth?

If you stop at Target, you can pick up a roll of Duct Tape for around $6-$8 plus tax.

Measure about a 6 inch length and cut it off.

Then, tape it across your mouth, and it becomes priceless.

Can you see the ordinary in extraordinary ways? If you do, you have the potential of creating something magical.

houston@figment-consulting.com

Figment Consulting looks for the extraordinary in the ordinary, bringing out fresh ideas that stick.

Be you

There is no other you like you.

And no one can be just like you.

In fact, no one can be as good of a you as you.

So, why be someone else when what we need is you.

Let them be them and you be you.

The world would be less of a place if you were someone else.

So, be you.

Be all of you.

Be only you.

Be you and we will all be better for it.

houston@figment-consulting.com

The why of your life

"The two most important days in your life are the day you were born, and the day you find out why."

Mark Twain


What's fascinating to me is that finding out why is not a search we undertake. Instead it is a decision we can make.

By deciding who you want to be, and what you want in life, you can determine the why of your life.

Think about it.

houston@figment-consulting.com

Tesla's Gigafactory

Nikola Tesla was one of the greatest inventors of all time. So, a company with his name attached should be one that thinks differently, expands imagination, and stretches our ideas.

Elon Musk is building toward an electric future, and this factory in Nevada is testament to that.

Learn more about this fascinating spark of imagination (actually a gigaspark): https://www.teslamotors.com/gigafactory

houston@figment-consulting.com

Jim Carrey's spark of inspiration

A video by TJOP: Jim Carrey's Secret of Life

houston@figment-consulting.com

Futuristic Chinese bus concept

The Transit Elevated Bus (TEB) rides high allowing the cars to pass underneath, or it to pass over the cars.

How would you feel seeing one of these in NYC or Chicago?

houston@figment-consulting.com

Our biggest failure

is not found in what we did wrong.

Rather it is found in what we were afraid to try.

houston@figment-consulting.com

It's only mountains

We all know how to "make a mountain out of a mole hill."

But, do we know how to make a molehill out of a mountain?

Whether a mountain or a molehill you can still simply go around.

You can also go over either one.

And remember, the view from the mountain is more breathtaking than the one from the molehill.

We can help you navigate the path and enjoy the journey.

houston@figment-consulting.com

Keep moving forward

It worked for Walt Disney, Thomas Edison, Margaret Knight, Henry Ford, Melitta Bentz, Steve Jobs, Stephanie Kwolek, Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Richard Branson, and countless others.

A simple yet profound principle called Keep Moving Forward, or perhaps you may know it as Persistence.

Whatever it is you are working on today, no matter the outcome, keep moving forward.

houston@figment-consulting.com

Leaping

Today is a nice reminder that there is value found in leaping.

We tend to look for solutions by tweaking, adjusting a little, varying inputs or outputs, when perhaps we should be looking to leap.

At a minimum, leap with your thoughts. Instead of finding an answer to today's pressing problem, search for solutions to the greater issue -- leap.

Leap bigger. Broaden your thoughts, expand your ideas, and think beyond. Leap.

Happy Leap Day! Practice it today.

houston@figment-consulting.com

Imagination

One little spark, of inspiration
Is at the heart, of all creation.
Right at the start, of everything that's new.
One little spark, lights up for you.

Two tiny wings, eyes big and yellow.
Horn of a steer, but a lovable fellow.
From head to tail, he's royal purple pigment.
And there, voila!, you've got a Figment.

We all have sparks, imaginations.
That's how our minds, create creations.
For they can make, our wildest dreams come true.
Those magic sparks, in me and you.

Imagination, imagination.
A dream, can be a dream come true.
With just that spark, in me and you.

The Sherman Brothers
Journey into Imagination with Figment

houston@figment-consulting.com

The IF Factor

Add if to what and the dynamic is radically altered.

Replace should with if and it opens wide the doors to possibilities.

Let if stand alone and imagination is unleashed.

houston@figment-consulting.com

The organic chaos of life

Are you doing today what you dreamed of doing when you were a child?

Do you find yourself where you believed you would be at this point in your life?

Has your life moved in linearity from one point to another as you had planned?

The answer to each question, for most of us, is no.

Life is much more organic than it is planned. Unexpected doors open up for us and we pursue them. Opportunities present themselves and we follow them as they lead us down paths unknown. Events occur that cause us to reconsider and move in another direction. Emerging technology alters the very course of our lives by creating new while making the old obsolete, and we must adapt.

Life is more of an organic chaos than it is neat and tidy. The struggle for most of us comes when we try to take life and make it linear or structured instead of embracing the chaos.

Perhaps life is not meant to be controlled or managed. Perhaps it is simply meant to be lived.

houston@figment-consulting.com

Are you afraid?

For most of us our perceptions frame our reality. We then seek out those who agree with our reality so we can reassure ourselves.

Too few of us take the time to consider opposing views. Adopt some of them -- hardly. We find that problematic, even dangerous. Wait though, before we travel that road laced with fear, what if we simply read some views that were contrary to our own? Consider simply means to think carefully about. What if we gave careful thought to an opposing view?

Could a workweek be condensed to 4 hours? Could marketing be based on permission instead of interruptions? Could we be measuring creativity and intelligence the wrong way?

The challenge is to find a book or video that provides a viewpoint opposite to our own and then read or watch it without condemning it. Simply consider it.

houston@figment-consulting.com

3 Blogs Worth Following

Below are 3 bloggers you may want to follow on a regular basis. The quality of the content they offer on a consistent basis is what I aspire to offer as well. Whether or not I am accomplishing that is still a question.

However, these bloggers make you think, and see things differently. And, I believe that is what they should do.

1. Michael Michalko

www.creativethinking.net

Author of books such as Thinkertoys, Michael's blog posts and thought projects are some of the best I have ever read and used. If you want to dive in deeper, expand your mind, and tap into your inner idea genius, then I would also encourage you to purchase his books.

2. Seth Godin

www.sethgodin.com

Seth is one of the most prolific authors, bloggers, and thought gurus in recent history. His insight into marketing, entrepreneurship, self-development, and personal growth is a daily dose of wisdom and action-provoking ideas.

3. Richard Branson

http://www.virgin.com/richard-branson

Founder of Virgin, Sir Richard may not be for everyone. However, within each of his blog posts lies great nuggets of information that can help you reach your potential. His posts are filled with inspiration and challenge you to reach beyond what you think possible.

Hope these suggestions help you in some way. I encourage you to read them, follow them, and consider using their suggestions to help you reach your dreams.

houston@figment-consulting.com

The edge of failure

Don't be afraid to fail.

Many times it is at the edge of failure that imagination accelerates and breakthroughs occur.

houston@figment-consulting.com