The Light Bulb

“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.”

–     Andre Gide, 1947 Nobel Prize Winner (Literature)  (1869-1951)

We’ve all “seen” the light bulb flash on above someone’s head.

So, how do we make it happen more often?

The answer will have a lot to do with how much time we spend creating an idea-friendly environment in which the light bulb is more likely to illuminate.  Among the best ways to create an idea-friendly environment is to divorce ourselves from what we know “must be true.”  We gotta figuratively lose sight of the shore and sail out to deeper waters of our creativity.

On some level, Thomas Edison knew “it couldn’t be done.”  On some level, Steve Jobs knew that my entire shelving unit of CD’s just couldn’t (or at least shouldn’t) fit on a device the size of a pack of gum.  When their light bulb first flashed on, they still knew, on some level, they might be wrong, because the reality in which they lived told them, “factually” that they were.

They simply had the courage to ask, “What if we’re right?” and “How would we do it if we could?”

So, on some level, we know that our efficiency ratio, margin, sales cycle, close rate, top line, bottom line or expense structure could be better.  But our boss, co-worker, or industry peer reports tell us we’re wrong.  Just like all the people around Edison knew he was wrong.  Just like people around Jobs knew he was.  Sitting in the glow of electric light, with their iPods playing their entire music library, the people around us just know we’re wrong.

If we want to find out whether we’re right, we’d better create an environment in our mind where we might find a way to make a difference.

Then, we can focus on how to go about it.

I’m not suggesting it’s easy.  I’m just sayin’ it’s important.