Solitude. Some of us seek it. Some of us avoid it. Ok, maybe most of us, avoid it.
As
poet David Whyte recognizes “the first step in spending time alone is to admit
how afraid of it we are”.
Afraid
or not, it is crucial for real change, and lies at the heart of
creativity.
In
a largely extroverted world, we see creativity as needing to happen as a result
of sparks and connections with others.
But even the most creative person, will tell you it is crucial for
recharging, reflection and restoration. And digging deeper, we know that change
must come from within. We need the support of our own solitude to be able to
listen to that inner wisdom.
In
her stirring book Wild Courage, Elle Harrison speaks eloquently of the gifts of
stillness. Creating periods of silence and stillness in our working lives, in
balance with times of activity and connection, is a powerful path to
success. She quotes inventor Nikola
Tesla who said “the mind is sharper and
keener in seclusion and uninterrupted solitude. No big laboratory is needed in
which to think. Originality thrives in
seclusion free of outside influences beating upon us, cripple the creative
mind. Be alone, that is the secret of invention; be alone, that is when ideas
are born”.
Dedicated
solo time is one of the most appreciated and transformational aspects of the
leadership programmes we run. We tend to
keep it as a surprise and when we disclose to the participants that they will
be spending 2 hours alone on a hill side, it is met with trepidation, intrigue,
resistance – or on the odd occasion, a plea of “can we have more time?”. For one particular executive programme, the
participants are asked to reflect on their leadership in solitude, in nature,
without distractions of watches or phones.
It is a simple action or rather non-action, which proves to be a turning
point for many.
As
Rainer Maria Rilke wrote “your solitude
will be a support and a home for you, even in the midst of very unfamiliar
circumstances, and from it you will find all your paths.”
In
his reflections, a senior executive realized he felt guilty for taking time out
for himself, and had the insight that “If I don’t care for myself, I can’t care
for others”. The experience completely changed his philosophies and leadership
practice.
Another
senior manager came up with his own motto and a commitment, which he named
“888”, no work before 8am, no work after 8pm and aim for 8 hours sleep.
One
described how her mission “just came to me while I was sitting there”.
Others
simply and profoundly realize how important is having time to think.
This
solitude is a felt experience that stays with the participants long after they
have left their tent on the hill side, long after they return back to the
office. In the experience, they remind
themselves that stillness, solitude, silence is accessible at any time, and
creativity will emerge, if they are prepared to make space for it.
How
will you make space for it in your life?
Notes
and sources:
Originally
written for Impact’s “In Good Company”
entitled Be Creative – Go Solo. http://www.impactinternational.com/blog/2017/04/be-creative-go-solo?utm_campaign=Issue%20137&utm_source=InGoodCompany&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Headline%20Story
Whyte, D. (2016) Consolations: The Solace,
Nourishment and Underlying Meaning of Everyday Words”, Many Rivers Press, USA
Nikola Tesla (1856-1943) quoted in the
New York Times by Orrin E. Dunalp Jr in “Tesla sees evidence that radio and
light are sound”, New York Times, 8 April, 1934, p. 9. Col 1 in Harrison, E.
(2011) Wild Courage: A Journey of Transformation for You and Your Business,
Watkins Publishing, UK
Harrison, E. (2011) Wild Courage: A
Journey of Transformation for You and Your Business, Watkins Publishing, UK
No comments:
Post a Comment