I saw man on his bike riding down Spadina Ave. two weeks ago; he looked a hardy 70-something and had a big canvas sack full of fresh baked bread across his shoulder. The bike he rode was that was definitely and old black vintage model, the kind with faded golden metal stickers along its frame. He was wearing a faded black jacket with matching pants, certainly not a suit, and a Greek fisherman’s hat.
I caught my self following his ride as I took the streetcar south. His skin was deeply tanned and the way the sun hit his face and his very white unkempt hair stopped me in my tracks. I was glad my blackberry was in disrepair because I would have leaned out the window, snapped a shot and put it on my Facebook status “not every one works in and office”.
The whole vignette had an earnest quality and peacefulness about it. He certainly wasn’t going to a desk of any kind. I had a sense he wasn’t much of a computer user. The romantic in me projected that he lead a simple content life, he was obviously out doors a lot, healthy, and to some degree, free. I sensed that he was doing what he wanted to do – maybe he owned a neighborhood sandwich bar?
When I started to write this blog it was going to be called “Creativity at Work, Formulas for Success”. For some reason his image kept coming to mind and it drew me towards other virtues like, courage, simplicity, honesty and non-conformity and how they hold equal importance when determining the paths to success.
I have read countless books and articles about creativity and applying your inner artist to problem solve, stand out amongst your peers, and do truly great things with your life. I don’t read enough books about getting back to basics and simple living. I think that’s why I was so intrigued with my man on his bike. Are the two concepts polar opposites? Can you derive the same happiness from a simple humble life that is full of gratitude as you can channel your inner artist and striving to live out side of the box to do remarkable things?
Authors, bloggers, and career coaches, reach out to those of us who are not in artistic vocations. They attempt to inspire us towards igniting our inner artist so that we can become non-linear in our thinking, challenge our fears of non-conformity and get out in the world to make great things happen. In much of this line of literature, we see that Picasso was as much of an artist as Einstein. Even your local Bus Driver, Star Bucks Barista or Government Clerk can create art in his or her work. Being creative even in the most mundane of tasks can lead to a greater meaning in life and deeper satisfaction.
Seth Godin’s Lynchpin speaks to Art and being an Artist. He has moved many people to the realization that a motion away from being creative in this day and age is career sabotage. That to repress and stifle your inner artist could lead to inertia, personal failure and the demise of economic innovation. Richard Florida reputed for his support of the creative class; I’m sure seconds Seth’s motions. He certainly paints a vivid picture in his latest book “The Great Re-Set” about how if we artificially support out the dated business models and industries we prevent innovation, hold down creative solutions and stifle opportunities for new industries and communities to shine. Julia Cameron’s, The Artist’s Way teaches us about creativity through a different channel. She actually provides a workbook to guide us through an exploratory journey that unleashes our blocked creativity helping us come closer to self-actualization and more authentic ways of interacting in our lives.
Sometimes I think non-conformity can offer the same fulfillment as creativity, on some levels they are interchangeable and they often co-exist.
Kenny Moore, the author of The CEO and The Monk, has become successful following a mix of non-conformity and art. Kenny was a Monk turned HR executive – I guess that’s courage too. Kenny was a monk who had the guts to say, “Holy crap” (no pun intended); some of these high-powered CEOs could use a guy like me. He stood up to the CEO of Key Span, a large multinational energy giant and turned them to profits. How? By coaching the CEO to advocate spirituality and kindness towards others as a way of bolstering work place satisfaction and performance.
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Bottom line, in these kinds of movements – If you are creative, courageous and non-conformist at work and in your life, good things can happen.
The impressions I felt relating to the man on his bike made me realize how our fast paced, very wired crack-berried lives are maybe a tad too busy and almost crazy. If you live life simply doing what you do well and are humble and grateful, you can achieve an inner piece that inspires and ignites creativity too. It doesn’t have to be as intense and passionate as many authors advocate. Sometimes simple and honest vocations and lives can allow for calmer existences and create the space and capacity for creativity. Creativity doesn’t have to lead to fame; it should lead to fulfillment though.
Regardless of the path you take, it seems to be that there is a mix of states and traits that lead to happiness, success and contentment. Creativity it seems, is driven by things in all shapes and sizes and so too is satisfaction.
In closing, thought I’d share these quotes, then get to work 🙂
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication” ~Leonardo DaVinci
“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius – and a lot of courage – to move in the opposite direction.” ~E.F. Schumacher
CJ
