The document summarizes key learnings from a "Street Wisdom" session in Central London where the goal was to find courage to do what one loves all the time. Some of the main insights included: speaking with a busker who was following his dreams provided inspiration; looking down instead of up provided a new perspective; cities are about the people not just buildings; and short sessions in nature can boost creativity and problem-solving. The experience showed how taking time to observe one's surroundings on the street can provide answers to life's questions.

1. What I learnt from the Street
Central London
24th May 2014
http://www.streetwisdom.org
Nick Hammond @digital_filter ; thedigitalfilter.com

2. What is Street Wisdom?
The Street is a place we usually hurry though on our way from here to
there, dodging other pedestrians and those charity collectors, screening
out the noise, lost in thought and grabbing food on the go. Street Wisdom
sees it differently. The street is an amazing place to learn – an invisible
university – if you know how to look.
http://www.streetwisdom.org

3. The Question I wanted an answer to –
‘How do I find the courage do what I love , all of the
time? ‘
(or….increase the time I spend running Creative
Thinking workshops, so that this becomes the thing
that I do)

4. As we began, we saw the start of the Walking for Homeless People
– Annual Pilgrimage, on the steps of St Martin in the Field. A pretty
inspirational start to the day !!

5. I spoke with Pascal, busking in Trafalgar Square
I spoke to him because he looked like he had the
conviction to follow his dreams.
He was inspirational - he talked about the positive power you
create for yourself ( and for other people ) when you follow
your dream
http://www.pascalglanville.com/Pascal_Glanville/HOME.html

6. I paused in St James’s Square
Despite having worked in London for 26 years , I was last in this
garden 24 years ago
I saw that some parts of the garden were carefully tended and others left to grow
wild. This meant to me that some plans need to considered carefully and other
times, you just have ‘to go for it’

7. Inspiration from the White Van Man
Working on their own and without a company structure to support them. They
just get on and do , what they do.

8. Inspired by Napoleon III
Who lived off St James’s Square prior to the 1848 Revolution and his return to
Paris in that year. I imagine he must have felt a fair bit of excitement, energy
(and some trepidation) in this house !!

9. Looking down, instead of Looking up
I have always sought a fresh perspective by ‘looking up’ in cities (this thought
inspired my website – lookupmore.co.uk ) but this time I looked down. I found it
helped focus my thoughts really well

10. Using Different Senses
Instead of looking and listening, I tried touching things. Perhaps the most under
used Sense? This made me more sensitive to, and more aware of, my
surroundings and my thoughts

11. Stephen Wiltshire MBE
Walking in a quiet arcade off Piccadilly, I found the gallery of Stephen Wiltshire.
He paints marvelous, detailed pictures after seeing a location for a brief period of
time only

12. On the video running in the window was the wonderful quote –
‘Find what you are best at… and do it all the time’
Stephen Wiltshire MBE

13. First World Problems
Passing an art gallery focusing on Art from Afghanistan, I was reminded of wider
problems in the world and how lucky we are - to express ourselves and pursue
our dreams

14. Finding Space in the City
I learnt I could do this on a busy street or in an open place – It’s all about finding
space in one’s mind

15. Finding Time in the City
It is possible to take time out of the hurly burly , get some peace and be
creative. Street Wisdom only lasted 2 hours but I felt I had been away for ages

16. What else did I learn?
( some of these from the fab post session in Grace Restaurant on Great
Windmill St
• Cities are not about buildings, but about the people who move between them
• Everyone is on the move in cities. By standing still, even for a short while, you
notice so much more
• I started by looking at the buildings but ended up looking at the people – they
are so much more interesting !!
• Back streets are much more interesting than main streets
• The initial simple ‘street sensitisation’ excercises really worked. By the time
we addressed our individual questions, I felt relaxed and confident about
asking the Street for answers.
• I can really see how the process boosts sensitivity, awareness and our ability
to solve problems

17. Go on a Street Wisdom session!!
I really can’t recommend it enough.
Something pretty special happened to me out there.
Nick Hammond @digital_filter ; thedigitalfilter.com