infinite possibilities - digital pm summit 2015

Possibilities Infinite

Denise R. Jacobs Digital PM Summit | Philadelphia, PA 13 October 2015

@denisejacobs #dpm2015 @digitalPMsummit

#infinitepossible

Get the slides, y’all! Creativedo.se/dpm2015-ip

Photo by Derek Kearney

From Front-end Dev à Creativity Evangelist

Wasn’t good at this Photo: Denise Jacobs

You guys have a handle on this https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/p/1/005/04d/3d7/0b79cdc.jpg

Me? Not so much https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/p/1/005/04d/3d7/0b79cdc.jpg

(Have the Passion=0) Photo: Denise Jacobs

Worked my ass off on this project http://www.flickr.com/photos/44085287@N05/4052943367/

Gifts for everyone on the team! https://www.flickr.com/photos/stevendepolo/3703145222/

My gift for my hard work on the project https://www.flickr.com/photos/alishav/6692592683/

OH NO YOU DIDN’T!!!! https://www.flickr.com/photos/jlhopgood/7045517827/

So I decided I was tired of this https://www.flickr.com/photos/demaderios/3181802068/

I like to make TANGIBLE things

Instead of this

My true love: speaking/training/teaching

à Founder + CEO/Chief Creativity Evangelist http://TheCreativeDose.com/

So…DPMs, I salute you! https://metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/bow_down1.gif

1,1,2,3… https://www.flickr.com/photos/bdunnette/143567420

It’s the new Black http://www.flickr.com/photos/designandtechnologydepartment/4771136128/

IBM CEO Study, 2010 https://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/31670.wss

Time Magazine Creativity Poll, 2013

http://business.time.com/2013/04/26/the-time-creativity-poll/

Survey of 684 Developers https://www.flickr.com/photos/ter-burg/8812567121

We have it, then we lose it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/carbonnyc/3135103537/

This is Water. https://www.flickr.com/photos/seotaro/2101165162

“The legacy of work doesn’t work. Work is kinda broken.” – Nancy Lyons, “Own It”, DPM Summit 2015

Photo: Denise Jacobs

You are powerfully creative http://www.designyourway.net/diverse/4/ux/brainy.jpg?e8a293

Master problem-solvers Balance big picture with details

Critical thinking Ability work within constraints

Collaborative Responsive; Adaptive; Resilient

Some of the *many* gifts of DPMs

And…Cat Herding!

http://www.hbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/herding-cats.jpg

Already pushing boundaries Photo: Denise Jacobs

“The new scarcity: the time, energy, and brainpower of bright, creative people.” - Mary Poppendieck, “Think For Yourself”

Now’s the time to value yourself

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mcgraths/3277839203

Use your big-picture thinking for own life


How to move forward?

The Dark or the Light

It starts with One http://www.flickr.com/photos/33498942@N04/6009639079/

The pattern of nature

We are part of this pattern

https://www.flickr.com/photos/124263610@N08/14201837570/

The Golden Ratio https://www.flickr.com/photos/gdvan/14910785913

Everything comes from this divine unfolding

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rammorrison/2718543921

What direction should you go?

Making one solid choice is the beginning

The paradox of choice

http://www.flickr.com/photos/x1brett/2279939232/

CHOOSE https://www.flickr.com/photos/buttersponge/4955768144

Non-Creative or Creative?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/barretthall/3036598475/ & http://www.flickr.com/photos/carbonnyc/3135103537/

Who here is creative?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kosmotesto/3794445313/

“Creativity is all about making connections and seeing patterns.” Bruce Nussbaum, Creative Intelligence

Child, please. http://www.flickr.com/photos/mahalie/276780530/

My response:

Internal fears = Inner Critic Photo: Denise Jacobs

In Tibetan, creative = natural

https://www.flickr.com/photos/norte_it/2340805781

Creativity ≠ Trying to be Creative http://www.theprofessionalcreative.com/take-the-first-step-to-become-creative/

Trying ≠ Practicing

http://www.wallpaper4me.com/images/wallpapers/do_or_do_not_w1.jpeg

“Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try.” – Yoda

“If I try to be creative, rather than just accepting that I am creative, I fail.” Andrew J. Epstein

Not about effort

More like breathing http://www.flickr.com/photos/guiniveretoo/1573049301/

Like breathing, you can build http://www.flickr.com/photos/miguel77/2728104156/

Get in tune with the process https://www.flickr.com/photos/flavijus/566174947

What’s your creative frequency? http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sine_waves_different_frequencies.svg

Listen/tune in

Filter out the background noise Photo: Denise Jacobs

Frequency: Occurrence https://www.flickr.com/photos/joelanman/367425390

Frequency: Practice https://www.flickr.com/photos/wwworks/275200051/

Become an idea machine

Challenge/Homework: Ten Ideas a day https://www.flickr.com/photos/evaekeblad/15294401442

“Deciding for creativity does not guarantee that creativity will emerge, but without the decision, it certainly will not.” – Robert Sternberg

Decide upon Creativity. Choose it.

Then, amplify your creative frequency.

Fixed or Growth Mindset?

Mindset, by Carol Dweck

http://mindsetonline.com

Which looks more familiar?

Fixed mindset https://www.flickr.com/photos/bethscupham/7328405210

Perfection Talent Ability

Accomplishment Comparison

Fixed Mindset focused on

“Maybe I don’t have enough talent.” “What if I fail?” “If I don’t try, I can protect my dignity.” “It’s not my fault. It’s something/someone else’s.”

(Sounds an awful lot like the Inner Critic, no?)

Perfectionist much?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/diepuppenstubensammlerin/7648792510/

Growth Mindset http://www.flickr.com/photos/argonne/4441693270/

Learning Willingness to fail

Curiosity Expansion

Being self-referential

Growth Mindset focused on

Embrace and enjoy learning

How do you change from Fixed to Growth? http://www.flickr.com/photos/f-oxymoron/5005673112/

1) Listen for your Fixed Mindset voice http://www.flickr.com/photos/theory/3193684632/

2) Recognize that you have a choice https://www.flickr.com/photos/cjsmithphotography/6804513809

3) Talk back to it with a growth mindset voice

“I can learn to do this with time & effort.” “Most successful people have had failure along the way.” “If I don’t try, I automatically fail.” “If I don’t take responsibility, I can’t fix it.”

4) Take growth mindset action

Growth Mindset Actions http://www.flickr.com/photos/onegiantleap/4124211492/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/seandreilinger/959867550/ &http://www.flickr.com/photos/seandreilinger/959864706/

Adopt a beginner’s mind

Release the Tyranny of the Expert

https://www.flickr.com/photos/64540855@N07/5878418781

Rediscover the familiar

https://www.flickr.com/photos/77654185@N07/8428225936

Re-learn something from a friend https://www.flickr.com/photos/ribbitvoice/2339351666

Learn something entirely new http://www.flickr.com/photos/13723940@N04/2648317554/

In my own life: learning Improv Photo: Denise Jacobs

Learning from experience is key

“I don’t divide the world into the weak and the strong, or the successes and the failures…I divide the world into the learners and nonlearners.” – Benjamin Barber, Sociologist

Approach everything with openness and eagerness.

Continue to increase your knowledge and expand

yourself.

Blocked or in Flow?

Creative blocks?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/99301367@N00/8497106802/

Fears https://www.flickr.com/photos/tom_lin/3193080175/

Creative Flow http://www.flickr.com/photos/7730492@N03/4958540694/

Is @ the Sweet Spot

Enjoy + Good at + Feeling Empowered http://www.flickr.com/photos/h-k-d/3310336516/

= Empowered Play http://www.flickr.com/photos/anieto2k/8216666102/

Your brain on Flow https://www.flickr.com/photos/arselectronica/13994747444

Flow banishes the Inner Critic!

The Flow “Afterglow” http://www.flickr.com/photos/fuzzylittlemanpeach/4633972431/

How do you reach Flow?

1) Get in touch with your brilliance http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonathan_hamner/3386076488/

Embrace your super-power http://www.flickr.com/photos/89927155@N00/2144275209/

2) Have clear goals

3) Uninterrupted, focused time

“How to ruin (developer) productivity”

My Father built airplanes in his spare time

Photo: Deloria Jacobs

(Instill the Headphones Rule) https://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/9824922293

Helps create space for ideas

https://www.flickr.com/photos/creativedc/2939649520

4) Balance of risk & challenge http://www.flickr.com/photos/librarianavengers/2495352933/

The Flow Channel exits between the two

5) Immediate feedback http://www.flickr.com/photos/anieto2k/8124124586/

Find your Flow to dispel fears and experience

continuous creative growth.

Taker or Maker?

…Has little regard for their potential to

shape the future or ability to take action

on issues that truly motivate them.

A Taker…

…A maker’s work is characterized by morality, creativity, craftsmanship, and purposed problem solving. They view their work through the lens of service.

A Maker…

“….Makers choose their work based on impact and happiness.” Jason Cavnar, "Why developers should start choosing conscience over profit"

http://venturebeat.com/2013/02/18/developers-choosing-conscience-over-profit/

Up-level your Makership-ness

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fragmented/2734290118/

1) Stay a passionate problem-solver

http://www.flickr.com/photos/argonne/4435608143/

2) Make “Bug” Lists https://www.flickr.com/photos/acerriteno/3484407240/

3) Cultivate a healthy disregard for the impossible

4) Be clear on your “Why” http://www.flickr.com/photos/zlz212/198759134/

“When your ‘whys’ don’t line up, the project will go horribly wrong.” – Rob Farr, The Last Responsible Moment, DPM Summit 2015

Infuse meaning https://www.flickr.com/photos/stuckincustoms/5932362950

Whom are you helping? http://www.codefevermiami.com/

5) Choose bigger, more creative problems to solve

6) Spur creative thinking at scale http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monsters,_Inc.

By using this:

Like folks at Pixar

Being a Maker = Intrapreneur


Make things that matter – to both you and others.

PROGRESS

http://www.flickr.com/photos/harryharris/381154280/

What do you get? http://www.flickr.com/photos/dlaughland/3475448568/

Life is complex and so are decisions

Two tracks

CREATIVITY GROWTH MIND

FIND FLOW BE A MAKER

Guidelines; stars to navigate by http://www.flickr.com/photos/anieto2k/9255191990/

“Clarity brings about purpose, purpose brings about action, action brings about change.” – Joel Yeo

CREATE LEARN

FLOW CONTRIBUTE

Mobilize a dormant creative confidence

http://www.flickr.com/photos/badastronomy/4179773749/

While we can’t predict the future http://fusible.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/crystal-ball.jpg

Because of the unknown

http://hub.salford.ac.uk/energymonitoring/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2012/01/known-knowns1.jpg

“We are the creators of the future.” Umair Haque, “How to Have a Year That Matters”

You are Master Creators

Making them should be easier

http://www.cdmdirect.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Choices.jpg

Critical

Not creative Fixed mindset

Blocked Taking what you can get

All too familiar with this

CREATIVITY GROWTH MIND

FIND FLOW BE A MAKER

Proactive Committed

Integrity Open-minded Courageous

Resilient Adaptive

Emotionally Intelligent

Authentic

Encourages Intrapreneur qualities

This is your compass

Creativity is your True North

All of space-time started with a singularity

1,1,2,3…

Just as the Universe is expanding, so are we

An reiterative process


Now you have more tools

“If you want to build a ship, don't drum up people to collect

wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the

endless immensity of the sea.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupery

https://www.flickr.com/photos/masma06/11337154704/

“Who you are and what you are willing to take on will determine your career – not your job title.” – Nancy Lyons, “Own It”, DPM Summit 2015

Remember how powerful you are https://www.flickr.com/photos/dingatx/4794442002/

You design+shape+guide projects… http://www.flickr.com/photos/spyndle/474122586/

And people/cats https://www.flickr.com/photos/ceardach/4549876293/

Create results for clients and teams

http://www.flickr.com/photos/schipulites/5407946699/

“Creativity and innovation are particularly challenging because good ideas don’t always come from the top.” – Nancy Lyons, “Own It”, DPM Summit 2015

Automatically Do Good vs. Well https://www.flickr.com/photos/roland/11982286463/

The choice is clear https://www.flickr.com/photos/matias3000/253871344/

Choose

http://www.flickr.com/photos/designandtechnologydepartment/4771136128/

Get the slides, y’all! Creativedo.se/dpm2015-ip

THE CREATIVE DOSE A Creativity + Innovation Collective

Work Better. Create More. Create Betterness.

Creative Thinking & Problem-solving Applying an Innovation Mindset

Creative Collaboration Team Communication & Cohesion

TheCreativeDose.com @thecreativedose

My upcoming book!

Banish Your Inner Critic

DeniseJacobs.com/InnerCritic

26 Effective Techniques for Unleashing Productive Creativity

DeniseJacobs.com Sign up on my mailing list here!

[email protected]

twitter.com/denisejacobs

facebook.com/denisejacobsdotcom

slideshare.net/denisejacobs

Connect, Chat, and Collaborate!

Photo used with permission: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aarronwalter/4629078087/

And finally…

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27620885@N02/2609974180/

infinite possibilities - digital pm summit 2015

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