Become a Curious Sponge: Discovering Inspiration in the Ordinary

For innovators, inspiration is key. It fuels our creativity and helps us come up with fresh, innovative ideas. But where do we find it?

When I was an intern at Nike, I had the opportunity to meet with Tinker Hatfield, the legendary shoe designer. His advice to me was simple yet powerful: "be a curious sponge." This means being open and receptive to all the stimuli around us, and letting everything sink in and truly appreciating it.

This idea of being curious and asking questions has stuck with me and has served me well in my design career. Just like Leonardo da Vinci, who filled his notebooks with questions like "why is the sky blue?" and "what does a woodpecker's tongue look like?" we can draw inspiration from our own curiosity and sense of wonder.

Of course, our five senses can also provide inspiration – sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and textures can all spark ideas. For example, visiting a museum or art exhibit can provide visual inspiration, taking a hike in the mountains and experiencing the beauty of nature, and exploring different cultural cuisines can inspire new flavors and textures. But it's not just about these specific stimuli. Everyday experiences can also inspire us.

For example, take a walk down the street and pay attention to your surroundings. What do you see, hear, and smell? What catches your attention? Talk to random people and listen to their stories. What insights do they offer? Attend a sports match or other event and observe the energy and excitement. How does it make you feel, and what ideas does it bring to mind?

The key is to be open and receptive to everything around you. Don't just go through the motions – really engage with the world and see what ideas it brings to you.

So next time you feel stuck or uninspired, try being a curious sponge and see what ideas come to mind. You never know where your next great idea will come from!

Leonardo Da Vinci: The Creative Genius

This is an hour-long talk by one of my favorite authors, Walter Isaacson, about Leonardo da Vinci and his creative genius. It's an excellent summary of the life of Leonardo and the biography Isaacson wrote about him.

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