Marion's Blog

We all marvel at the way kids pick things up intuitively - they play with new technology like the iPad, or video and internet games as if there were no obstacles. And I suppose, to them, there aren't any - they are simply not hindered by the knowledge that they might not be able to figure it out, they just play and find out even if it takes them all day. The same goes for languages, kids do not fear making mistakes, they haven't been laughed at (other then in a friendly way) or sneered at for being "stupid" so the concept is totally alien, and they'll throw themselves into speaking the words they do know with full abandon and in the process pick up more words and so on they go.

Most of us adults feel we have to be careful, we have lost the playful, joyful ability to just throw ourselves into learning something new, afraid as we are to be considered stupid or silly or "childish". And thus we forget the best tool we were given to explore new opportunities and areas - our natural curiosity and ability to piece things together.

Those that are most succesful in bringing new products or innovative ideas, are often those that are considered to be unconventional by society. This probably means they were in fact being "childish" - they thought outside of the strict regulations and linear thinking we have put upon ourselves and our communities. And these inventors never felt the need to please their surroundings - they simply explored and invented.

Don't lose your ability to be like a child - even if you feel silly doing it, try and view the world from time to time from a different perspective - even if that literally means sitting on the floor, or standing on a ladder to get a new vision. Take the artist as an example - all through art school they are being taught the principles, the guidelines for creating a painting - things like perspective, colour, horizons, tone etc. etc. But often it is after they leave school that the real fun starts - they can let go and work with passion and fun. They use the rules and principles as the basis, but no more then a foundation to their final works.

The same is true of a business person - however odd that may sound - you have to know the rules, so you can live freely within them. Find your own style and don't worry about being considered "odd" from time to time. It's healthy to challenge and be challenged, and it will open up your horizons and ultimately give you a richer reward - be that success and/or a sense of achievement.