Curious about Janusian Thinking: A Creative Approach to Ideas

Janusian Thinking is "bringing two opposites together in your mind, holding them there together at the same time, considering their relationships, similarities, pros and cons, and interplay, then creating something new and useful."

As I mentioned in an earlier blog, I will be moving to a new apartment. And, even though it is actually larger than my current home, I have made the difficult decision to cut back on the number of books and tapes to keep. My rationale is that there are books that I haven’t read or even looked at in years, tapes that have been collecting dust, and my favorite library will be having a fund raising book/tape sale in three weeks. I know that there will be others who will enjoy and benefit from purchasing my old friends.

What does this have to do with “Janusian Thinking?” While purging and packing, I have been listening to some of my old tapes. Tonight, I was listening to a tape series called Entrepreneurial Thinking by Mike Vance. Vance is the former Dean of the University of Disneyland and was in charge of idea and people development for Walt Disney Productions.

When Vance started talking about creativity, he recommended Janusian Thinking. Not being able to find the term in the dictionary, I did a search and was delighted with the number of results (all 507 of them - no, I did not read all of them, but did discover how many groups embrace the use of Janusian Thinking).

Background: Dr. Albert Rothenberg, a noted researcher on the creative process, identified the process in 1979 and named it "Janusian Thinking" for the Roman god Janus, who had two faces that looked in opposite directions. Dr. Rothenberg has identified traces of Janusian Thinking in the works of Einstein, Mozart, Picasso and Conrad. The way to use Janusian Thinking is to ask "What is the opposite of this?" and then try to imagine both opposites existing at the same time.

Great Einstein Story: Rothenberg claimed, after studying 54 Nobel Prize winners, that most major scientific breakthroughs and artistic masterpieces are products of Janusian thinking. He concluded that creative people who actively formulate antithetical ideas and then resolve them produce outstanding results.

He cites the example of Einstein's account of "the happiest thought of my life." Einstein recalled his first thinking of the concept that "for an observer in free fall from the roof of a house, there exists, during his fall, no gravitational field... in his immediate vicinity. If the observer releases any objects, they will remain, relative to him, in a state of rest." This antithetical idea led to his general theory of relativity. Rothenberg's point is to advocate reversing or contradicting currently accepted ideas to expand the range of perspectives considered.

Sample: there are many paradoxes all around us and clichés provide the perfect example. Compare, “He who hesitates is lost.” and, “Look before you leap.”

Interesting Related Link: The army, no less, has written an excellent report on making use of Janusian Thinking to advantage. Click HERE for the PDF.

Remember that Janusian Thinking is seeing both sides of an idea, both positive and negative. When you understand why an idea doesn’t work, you can then focus on how to make it work. Let’s all try it together! And, do let me know how it works for you.

Curious about Groups, Forums, Discussion Boards and Lists? Are They Worth the Time and Effort?

I am a member of several Internet groups, forums, discussion boards and lists. Yes, they do take time and effort - even if you are just a “lurker” (someone who is a member and reads others’ posts, but seldom or never takes part by posting).

My question is, “Are they worth the time and effort?” I say “yes” with the caveat that we need to choose wisely where to spend our time.

Here are the reasons I belong to the five active ones of which I am a member and take part in:

• They work much like a mastermind group, where I can bounce ideas off others, along with reading others’ ideas and the reactions to them.
• They make me think about subjects that I might not consider addressing.
• By formulating answers to others’ questions and statements, I clarify my own thoughts and beliefs.
• I have learned more than I could compile in a long book. And, the links to important websites shared have filled my favorites list.
• By taking part and contributing (even though there are times when I am forced to be a lurker) I have received clients, subscriptions to my e-newsletters, visitors to my websites (and blog!) and buyers of my products.
• The best part is that I have developed so many great friendships and relationships with people from all over the world.

The next question is, “What makes a group, forum, discussion board, or list successful and worthwhile?”

Here are the answers that I have observed for myself:

• It needs to be active with a group of non-lurkers who are willing to share information and take part in discussions.
• The messages can’t be filled with fluff and too much chitchat and silliness - although some is OK.
• There should be diplomacy and courtesy.
• I also enjoy controversy, as long as it is accompanied by the above. One of the members of my favorite group just pointed out that by introducing a bit of controversy, he precipitated a good amount of interaction and also many postings by lurkers.
• Respect for each other rates high on my list of requirements.

The final question is, “What will make you leave or drop off a group?”

These are my observations and also reasons others have given me:

• Conflict that gets out-of-hand. Fortunately, the one group that has suffered from conflict, has a moderator who removes the perpetrator from the group when conflict reaches an unbearable level.
• Too much trivia and chitchat as opposed to real and useful content.
• Threads (topics) that don’t hold my interest any longer - or never did!
• And, if someone else or I post a thoughtful - and even lengthy and well researched - message and never receive a “thank you” or reply, we can feel unappreciated. Once or twice, I can understand, but repeatedly it is the “kiss of death.”

Finally, I suggest trying a variety of groups, forums, discussion boards and lists that relate to your interests and/or career - just like you do with organizations. When you find the ones that you enjoy and are worthwhile, start giving of yourself and your expertise and you will receive more in return than you can imagine!

Curious about Decisions and Decision Making

T. Boone Pickens said, “Be willing to make decisions. That's the most important quality in a good leader. Don't fall victim to what I call the ready-aim-aim-aim-aim syndrome. You must be willing to fire.”

What makes you come to both big and small decisions? Do you take your time, considering all of the pros and cons? Or do you decide quickly and then take quick action based on your decision(s)? What prompts you?

I started this questioning while reading Malcolm Gladwell’s book, Blink (The Power of Thinking without Thinking). He examines intuition and decision making that works without lengthy consideration.

And, I just made a life changing decision. I have lived in a special apartment for nearly eleven years. It is located in an old, but rehabilitated building loaded with charm - lofted ceilings, leaded glass windows, hardwood floors, built-in book shelves, and a space for a roof garden. The building had been completely rehabilitated when I moved in and is also located in a wonderful location that I love.

But - and it is a big BUT - three years ago, a new owner took over. Since then the building has gone downhill steadily. It is nearly empty now, the halls, walkways, garage and court are filthy, and there is trash everywhere. The heat has been turned down, so I must run a space heater constantly, just to keep from shivering as I work. And, yes, even though I am not a complainer, I have complained - and more than once.

So, I have decided to move. You may not think this is a life-changing decision. It is for me. I have loved the apartment I am now renting, and really thought I would stay here forever.

The part I find interesting about this decision is that once I made up my mind, I couldn’t wait to move. I will be out of here in a month. I am already sorting through all of my accumulations, deciding what I will give away and what I will need for my new apartment. It is in a brand newly built building - as modern as this is ancient. And, I find it totally charming with its wall-to-wall carpeting, Pella windows, modern baths and appliances, and even an elevator.

I feel excited and happy - just as I did when I moved into my present apartment.

Thinking back about the many decisions we all are forced to make, I wonder how most people decide - quickly, slowly, with a snap of the finger, or with great deliberation. I know some who take forever to even make up their minds on what to order in a restaurant. I tend to delegate the decision making to the back of my mind (my unconscious) until the answer pops up while I am exercising, driving, bathing, or just doing dishes. When the answer is needed right away, I am quick with my decision making.

Some of our - and especially my - decisions are good ones and some are not, but I seldom agonize over them. And, when they are made, they are made. How about you? I find this whole topic intriguing. Let me know what works for you and what doesn’t.

Curious about Career Contentment?

“I’ve done this for 10 years,” says Irene Tse, the 34-year-old head of the government bond-trading desk at Goldman Sachs. “And I can count on the fingers of one hand the days in my career when I didn’t want to come to work. Every day I wake up and I can’t wait to get here.”

I am curious about how many others feel this way about their careers.

I found this in the April 2005 issue of Fast Company, as part of an article about people with “extreme jobs.” These are jobs described as having 80-hour weeks, endless travel and high stress. But, they are also jobs that the people who have them, love them. They push themselves to the limits of their intellectual and physical endurance. Yet they seem to be having the time of their life.

As John Byrne, Editor, writes about his job, “My work is a true reflection of who I am, a calling that gives back far more than I invest. It demands as much as or more than I am often capable of giving. And that challenge is a thrill.”

Nearly 60% of all American workers believe that working long hours creates too much stress and cuts too much into time they could be spending elsewhere. A whopping 76% say they get more enjoyment from the hours when they’re not on the job.

I, a believer in doing what we love instead of just working for a paycheck in a job that we dislike (or even hate), feel sad when I read and hear statements like those in the previous paragraph.

Yes, as Paul Spector, professor of industrial and organizational psychology at the University of South Florida, points out, “There are studies that look at the impact of work hours on health, and two that link it to heart disease… But here’s the kicker: In order to pay the price, it has to be a job where you’re forced to work hours that you don’t want to…The data suggest that people who are doing it because they want to are perfectly fine.”

How do you feel about this? I know that I love what I do (every part of my “Portfolio Career”), so I feel quite like Irene Tse. I wake up every morning excited about starting all over again.

And, yes, I do work an “extreme” number of hours and sometimes feel a bit overwhelmed with all I need to accomplish. And yet it seems more like fun and play than work. And, yes, because I have so many different careers, I have to be cautious about becoming scattered in too many directions. I ask myself, however, what are “too many directions?”

I just hope that you enjoy what every day brings you, because you have a career or careers you love. I do look forward to reading your comments.

And, if you are curious about “Portfolio Careers” and wonder if you would love having one, do take the self-test by clicking HERE.

Follow-Up to Curious about Creatives? Meet Hugh Macleod

Way back on November 20, 2004, I wrote my second blog ever about Hugh Macleod - the man who draws cartoons on the backs of business cards and writes about creativity. Or should I say, “blogs” not "writes?"

Well, his name popped up again in a technology e-newsletter I receive. So, I re-visited his blog beginning here where he shares his 30 rules and tips for creativity.

The rule (or tip) that stands out for me, summing up my feelings so perfectly is:

“16. The world is changing. Some people are hip to it, others are not. If you want to be able to afford groceries in 5 years, I'd recommend listening closely to the former and avoiding the latter. Just my two cents…

“The old ways are dead. And you need people around you who concur…

“That means hanging out more with the creative people, the freaks, the real visionaries, than you're already doing. Thinking more about what their needs are, and responding accordingly. It doesn't matter what industry we're talking about- architecture, advertising, petrochemicals- they're around, they're easy enough to find if you make the effort, if you've got something worthwhile to offer in return. Avoid the dullards; avoid the folk who play it safe. They can't help you any more. Their stability model no longer offers that much stability. They are extinct, they are extinction.”

Wow! Hugh. It’s almost as if he were speaking about me and my changing attitude as we entered 2005.

I wouldn’t be quite as critical as Hugh and call the people I was hanging out with “dullards” but they sure were those who “play it safe.” In some of the groups to which I belonged, I heard, “We tried that before - only six years ago - and it didn’t work.” Or “We’ve always done it that way.” I knew it was time to join a new and different group.

It isn’t always easy to find the creative people and the real visionaries, but as Hugh points out if one makes the effort, they are around. And being the original volunteer, I have been welcomed into a new and fun group of exciting people that appear to be risk takers.

The other good part of this whole journey was being pointed back to this free-thinking artist’s blog (disclaimer: I am enthralled by his ideas and approach, but not keen about some of his favorite words, so if you are easily shocked, don’t visit his blog).

Otherwise, you can find the full discussion of rule #16 here, a fascinating blog by Hugh called, "The Corporate 'Tipping Point'" here, and the main page of his blog at www.gapingvoid.com. And reading the comments are as much fun and as interesting as Hugh’s blogs are.

And speaking of comments, I would love to read some of yours. Fire away!

Curious about Core Competencies

In January of this year, I became a member of a fascinating forum set up by Sean D’Souza of www.psychotactics.com. If you join his 5000bc membership, you will become a part of his Cave Chat - a mastermind group of small business people from all over the world.

Recently, Sean gave us this challenge, “Sit down with a piece of paper and figure out what your core competencies (he specified to pick only three) really are. What do you do best? What can you do to leave your competition scowling in the dust? Then put them down on that sheet of paper and work toward achieving those core competencies.”

As an Independent Professional with a “Portfolio Career” (many different careers), I found the hardest part of this assignment to be picking only three. After all I have competencies in many areas.

Then, I started to focus on the three core competencies that I use in every career, every project, and every differing task. I asked myself what my greatest strengths are and what combination of strengths makes me and the work I perform unique.

Across the board, I realized that the following three are definitely my top three core competencies:

• Creativity - I describe myself as a Creative Resource, because I not only attack my own writing and projects creatively, but I also help clients, readers of my articles and e-newsletters, students and friends access their own creativity. Together we combine old, new and different ideas to produce strong and successful results.
• Relationships - having strong relationships with clients, groups, students, readers, organizations and other business owners has propelled my career forward more than any other factor. I love working with people I like and they prefer to work with someone who likes them and who they like - me. I have learned (and usually the hard way) that if a working relationship will not be pleasant for all concerned, it is better to walk away - no bridges burned and no hard feelings.
• Passion - to me, if I am not passionate about a project, a task, or a career, I should never get involved with it. I am naturally a passionate and enthusiastic person, so find passion in most jobs and careers that I tackle. I also note that my passion is easily transferred to others, so they become passionate and enthusiastic in turn. And, guess what? This grows creativity and great relationships.

Thank you, Sean, for the challenge. I now know what three core competencies to emphasize, work to strengthen even more than before and to use to their fullest.

Now, I am going to challenge you, the reader of this blog, to name your three core competencies. And do add them to the comments, so we all can read them!

Curious about the Difference between Sitting and Standing

"People who work sitting down get paid more than people who work standing up." - Ogden Nash

Ogden Nash has always been one of my favorite poets - I have even written poems in his style for fun. I was drawn to him because of his cleverness and irreverent disregard for political correctness.

I was grabbed by the above quote first because it was written by Ogden Nash, then because I am so focused on different approaches to “work” and, finally, because it made me think a lot about its validity.

What do you think? Is it true? No way. For every well paid sit down work I can name, there is stand-up work that pays as much or more. Let’s play with it a bit.

Comparing huge incomes

Those sitting down include:

• CEOs of the big companies like IBM and Proctor & Gamble
• Internet marketers like Cory Rudl, Joe Vitale and Robert Imbriale
• Market investors like Warren Buffet and Michael Masterson

But, are they paid as much as these standing up:

• Major league sports figures in baseball, basketball and football
• Big film movie stars - leading men and women
• Top musical performers (name your favorite group, and think about what you paid for a ticket to see them in concert)
• Winning boxers and golfers

Comparing medium to high incomes

Those sitting down include:

• Bank presidents
• Wall Street Brokers
• Information Technology workers - programmers, network and/or security specialists, web developers, and systems analysts
• Accountants, writers, secretaries, and other desk oriented careers.

But, are they paid as much as these stand-ups:

• Speakers like Zig Ziglar, Stephen Covey and Tony Robbins
• Building Contractors
• Chefs and servers (usually waiters) in four and five star restaurants
• TV actors, game show hosts, and band/orchestra leaders
• Dentists

And then there are those whose work involves both sitting and standing. For example, lawyers, doctors, nurses, personal trainers, artists, architects, teachers, consultants and on and on. Just fill it in!

I know that I have only scratched the surface and hope you have had some fun with this - we do need to lighten up and Ogden Nash always had that kind of influence over me.

Let’s close with another of his quotes about work, “I would live all my life in nonchalance and insouciance, Were it not for making a living, which is rather a nouciance.”