Creative Process

Rest, Rabbit. Rest.

I am a fan of children’s books. No joke. Love them.

My friend Ben often brings children’s books to work to teach simple principles or illuminate some problem that’s been going on in the organization. There is a clarity that emerges in the midst of these short parables or no-frills proverbs that often touches something deep and primal within us.

A children’s book that I came across in the past year (and have since passed on to others) is called "Rest Rabbit Rest." The book is about a rabbit who is unable to be still because of all of the obligations in his life. He is constantly turning even the simplest task into a complicated and anxious demonstration of futility. He works to make processes more efficient so that he could fill his "saved" time with more activity. His life is scheduled to the minute, and any little distraction becomes a huge issue.

There is a direct correlation between rest and creativity. The more we are at rest - mentally and physically - the more prepared we are to recognize creative accidents when they occur. Many opportunities are lost every day because we are not in a position to receive them. When we are constantly "on" we are incapable of filtering the noise to get to the signal. Great becomes inseparable from good, and novelty is mistaken for creativity. When we are prepared, rested, and focused we are better able to recognize the truly great moments of creative intuition.

How are you at resting? It’s Monday - after the weekend. Are you going into your work week relaxed and ready, or exhausted from a weekend of recreation and over-scheduled activity?

Rest rabbit, rest!

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