A novel suggestion: "You ought to create a room for yourself now that your children have left," a friend suggested. My hubby had an office in our home for years, but not once did I entertain that possibility. Her words came as total surprise.
"Yes, what a superb idea," I replied almost simultaneously as inspiration welled within me.
"I'll tag along as you pick out colors and decide on furniture and accessories," she offered. "Then I'll help with painting, and tasks to pull it off."
We lunged into the work - selecting a carpet and new slipcovers, sewing a Roman curtain, painting walls, choosing just the right prints and furniture... When completed, the splendid atmosphere encouraged me to create in many ways. Eventually I wrote my doctoral dissertation here, and I continue to design projects and write here.
Because I followed through with my friend's surprising suggestion, it led to unexpected results, such as going back to university after earning a masters three decades ago. Are you a person who lives for surprise and do you know others who do?
Are you curious as to why some people dive in when a surprise comes, while others linger and then let it go? Here's the bigger picture...
Novelty The challenge of something different stirs the human brain. Novelty's a motivator for most folks. An unexpected stimulus sparks desire for humans to explore and learn. Since our brains are wired to avoid boredom and ruts, when a stimulus activates the brain, most people explore further in search of some kind of reward at the end. Often release of dopamine which brings a high level of satisfaction, and is reward in itself.
People who welcome new experiences have stronger connections between their memory and reward brain centers than people who tend to avoid anything new, research now shows.
Pay it forward - Hank Wasiak cites an example of The Martin Agency's Asset Based Thinking (ABT). They took a daring extra step in the midst of recession when they had to cut 5% of their staff. They actually "paid prospective employers to hire the people they had to lay off….one half of the first month’s salary up to $4,000. An offer with a potential price tag of $100,000. Not an insignificant commitment in tough times," Hank exclaims.
Paying it forward is an amazingly powerful action according to Hank since it...
- Gives a person an edge up
- Shows person is valued - a self esteem boost
- Creates sustainable positive ripple effect
- Shows other colleagues that firm treats employees well - more motivated employees
- Establishes an incentive and opportunity to hire where there might have been none
"What talent would grow from your corner of the world if you simply acted today on what you do best," Ellen Weber asks, "in spite of the strikes against you?" To turn this around when crisis hits Ellen challenges us to...
Turn what you do well into meaningful work To get started Ellen suggests that we reflect then leap. Ponder this, "if a new career path could happen for you, what would you do differently today to rev the engines?"
By now you may ask, can people find surprises in work that is mired in rules? Possibly... And, Mark McGuinness explored this with intriguing findings...
By now you may ask, can people find surprises in work that is mired in rules? Possibly... And, Mark McGuinness explored this with intriguing findings...
Spontaniety comes from following the rules Amazing patterns emerge when simple rules are established. Mark McGuinness summarizes this phenomenon to flesh it out a little more. "...Creators are more like gardeners than architects, planting and watering the seeds to help them grow, but with no control over the emerging forms."
Why not "play it simple," and see what results. What about...
using one new tactic throughout the day? I spoke a lot of negatives in a day, without even realizing it. When I concentrated on speaking and reacting in a more positive way, I was able to break a very detrimental pattern. Focusing on the good changed me and ways I react to others.
switching your daily preferences? I used to watch TV and now I'd rather read or write which requires more brainpower.
stretching beyond what you think you can do? Often I'd stop short of stepping past comfort zones. I would cringe at the notion of carrying on a conversation with leaders. Ellen Weber challenged me to do it by asking 2-footed questions. Conversations centered on the leader this way because I let my curiosity guide me. Questions focused on the other person and their interests. Since people love to talk about themselves, using 2-footed questions helped me get beyond a nervousness I'd had. The tactic was simple, but it changed everything.
What's one simple action you'd add to the above list that would be sure-fire surprise for others?
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