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 Photo: Denise Jacobs

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…Idividetheworldintothe learnersandnonlearners.” – 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/

Aka

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
Photo: Denise Jacobs

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

THIS

“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 Photo: Denise
Jacobs

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! denise@denisejacobs.com 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/