Infinite 
Possibilities 
Denise R. Jacobs 
Devoxx BE Developer’s Conference | Antwerp, Belgium 
13 November 2014
@denisejacobs 
@Devoxx #Devoxx 
#infinitepossible
Photo by Derek Kearney 
Change!
Founder + Chief Creativity Evangelist 
http://TheCreativeDose.com/
1,1,2,3… 
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bdunnette/143567420
It’s important 
http://business.time.com/2013/04/26/the-time-creativity-poll/
Part of our goal at Devoxx
Possible selves 
http://www.funkycovers.net/facebook_covers/881_force_and_the_dark_side_facebook_cover.jpg
It starts here 
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gdvan/14910785913
CHOOSE 
https://www.flickr.com/photos/buttersponge/4955768144
All about choice 
https://www.flickr.com/photos/creepyjo/11846738153
Non-Creative or Creative? 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/puffsdaddy/964052461/ & http://www.flickr.com/photos/ableman/543078380/
Creative? Me! Yes! 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/barretthall/3036598475/ & http://www.flickr.com/photos/carbonnyc/3135103537/
“Creativity is all about making 
connections and seeing patterns.” 
Bruce Nussbaum, Creativity Intelligence 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kosmotesto/3794445313/
“Creativity is something you practice, 
not just a talent you’re born with.” 
Tom and David Kelley of Ideo, Creative Confidence
In Tibetan, creative = natural 
https://www.flickr.com/photos/norte_it/2340805781
“If I try to be creative, rather than just 
accepting that I am creative, I fail.” 
Andrew J. Epstein
Fixed or Growth Mindset? 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/maki_s_brown_eyes/296363801/ & http://www.flickr.com/photos/chiotsrun/4472671089/
Perfectionism 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/diepuppenstubensammlerin/7648792510/
Growth Mindset 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/argonne/4441693270/
Release the Tyranny of the Expert 
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerimp/3181052163/
Embrace and enjoy learning 
http://davidseddl511.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/6a00d83451b44369e200e54f480b498834-800wi.jpg
1) Listen to 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
4) Take growth mindset action
Adopt a beginner’s mind 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/13723940@N04/2648317554/
Learn something new 
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tinfoilraccoon/632770422/
Photo: Denise Jacobs 
Eating my own dogfood: Improv class!
Blocked or in Flow? 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_g_travels/860951845/ & http://www.flickr.com/photos/sgeithner/5290115839/
Internal fears 
Photo: Denise Jacobs
Your brilliance 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/
Finding Flow
Your brain on Flow 
https://www.flickr.com/photos/arselectronica/13994747444
Find your Flow 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7730492@N03/4958540694/
Uninterrupted, focused time
(Instill the Headphones Rule) 
https://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/9824922293
Risk/Challenge 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/librarianavengers/2495352933/
Immediate feedback 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/anieto2k/8124124586/
Taker or Maker? 
https://www.flickr.com/photos/brothaloveimages/1806689895 & https://www.flickr.com/photos/lauroroger/8808985531
Has little regard for 
their potential to 
shape the future or 
ability to take action 
on issues that truly 
motivate them. 
Taker 
https://www.flickr.com/photos/brothaloveimages/1806689895
A maker’s work is 
characterized by morality, 
creativity, craftsmanship, 
and purposed problem 
solving. They view their 
work through the lens of 
service. 
Maker 
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lauroroger/8808985531
“…A maker’s work is characterized by morality, 
creativity, craftsmanship, and purposed problem 
solving….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/
Become a passionate problem-solver 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/argonne/4435608143/
Make “Bug” Lists
Cultivate a healthy disregard for the impossible
Be clear on your “Why” 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zlz212/198759134/
Who are you helping? 
http://www.codefevermiami.com/
Choose bigger, more creative problems to solve
Cultivate a culture of creativity around you 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monsters,_Inc.
Like folks at Pixar
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
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
Mobilize that which lay dormant 
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
“We are the creators of the future.” 
Umair Haque, “How to Have a Year That Matters”
Another way of putting it is
All about 
http://www.cdmdirect.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Choices.jpg
The universe is expanding, and so are we 
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rammorrison/2718543921
First step: choose 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/designandtechnologydepartment/4771136128/
Connect, Chat, and Collaborate! 
DeniseJacobs.com 
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Photo used with permission: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aarronwalter/4629078087/
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
http://www.flickr.com/photos/qqjawe/6511141237/

Infinite Possibilities - Devoxx Belgium, 2014