The Aha Moment
You are just going through the day keeping your brain busy trying to reconcile ideas that come in many forms and then ‘aha!’ one word connects it all together. Maybe is one image that makes it all make sense. That object that was right in front of your face seems to talk to you and make you go ‘Eureka!’. Of course you don’t need to run home naked like Archimedes did when she figured out how to measure the volume of an object. His method might not worked but I bet it was a good moment for him according to the myth. The aha moment is that lightbulb that goes on in your head that allows you to see it all clear.
I had that moment yesterday. I was working on writing a few things for the blog, organizing a few painting and sculpting parties, and doing the graphic design thing for marketing, and then it happened. The concept behind the new collection I’m working on made complete sense with just one word. That word connected events and its consequences to provide substance to the concept from which a lot can be said and discussed. I don’t want to reveal the details at this point and spoil the surprise but I want to share some advice to make the aha moment happen and what to do when it happens.
The aha moment generally comes as the result of a problem that requires a solution that has been bothering and interrupting your thoughts and probably your daily routine. It is not the same as having an idea that is taking shape and growing like a baby inside the womb. The idea is already born and other ideas are born with it. You see these elements floating around but you need a way to interconnect and make sense of all of them as one. Finding that connection is not necessarily pure luck because you are thinking about it. You might be taking time to read about it and talk about it. That is my first point of advice: take time to observe, read, talk, and play with the elements of the problem. Whatever works for you to feed the idea and make it stronger.
The idea starts growing and feeling more comfortable to see the elements together. When you get to that level of comfort my advice is to move away, step away, let it go for a while, turn around and do something else. Find something that makes you relax. You know the idea is still there. Subconsciously you are still working on it. Doing something else will allow you to loosen your muscles and your neurons. Play a game, watch tv, listen to music, take a walk, take a nap, and come back refreshed. Your senses will be ready to receive revelation. When you get it, and you will, write it down. You can also take a picture, record a voice memo. Do not let the revelation fly away. Preserve that bridge that is now connecting all the elements together.
The Three Questions
The first question “Why?” establishes conscience of the status quo and questions it. We get used to the status quo and continue living in it without taking time to ask ourselves “why are we doing this?” or “why are we doing this way?”. We can question the question itself. Without questioning the status quo we can’t perceive the possibilities of change and there is where the second question comes into place. “What if?” paints a picture of a desired scenario. “What if things were different?” “What if we could change what we have now to what we need?” We can think of opportunities for change with that question. Of course, we need a bridge between the current and the preferred scenario.
We can’t stop at dreaming of a different situation. It is necessary to move into action. Many won’t get pass the “What if?” but some will. “How?” is the process of connecting the “Why?” and the “What if?”. Here is where change happens. It is a process and it requires effort and hard work. That is why many don’t cross the bridge. Those who dare to cross the bridge achieve the realization of their dream.
June is here with new opportunities to question and start crossing the bridge. We get that opportunity each day. I want to invite you to give yourself a chance and try something different. Check out the sculpting and painting parties. It will help you disconnect to connect back and change your perspective on challenge and these parties are a lot of fun too. I want to invite you to also join the conversation Wednesday, June 3 for a live chat broadcast of the Creative Chat Cafe. You might find something inspiring and motivating to make your way across the bridge.
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