“Wisdom begins in wonder.” – Socrates

Do you wonder? Wonder what could be? Wonder what is next? Wonder what may be possible?

Wonder has the ability to ignite creativity and ideas.

The fact that we have to work removes the ability to ALWAYS wonder, but how do we avoid the trap of business and stay in a posture that allows us to wonder?

1. Be Alert. If we want to experience the power of “wonder,” we have to stay alert. Creative stimulation is all around us but, if we are not alert, parades of creativity can pass our path and we’ll never realize what we’re missing. We should commit to documenting one thing each day that peaks our interest and makes us wonder. When we do this, we’re actually creating a list of ideas that can be used the next time we feel a creative block settling over us.

2. Ask Lots Of Questions. Without the curiosity of questions, wonder won’t exist. Asking questions clears confusion and helps to clarify expectations. When we ask questions, we define vision, direction, and opportunity. Questions often slow down the process just enough for wonder to catch its breath and create ideas.

3. Embrace The Frame. Creative people tend to desire canvases without boundaries. However, boundaries help us know when we have gone too far or if we have not gone far enough. Wonder exists inside the boundaries defined by the frames of our projects.

4. Desire a “yes, and” environment. Wonder dies in negative environments. “No” and “Can’t” tend to shut down wonder before she has a chance to do her thing. Yes opens opportunities. Yes opens doors that No slams shut. Wonder needs space and positivity to flourish. When we desire “Yes, And” environments, we create space for wonder to thrive.

Without wonder in our art, we risk the chance of becoming stale. If we want to avoid “dry seasons” of creativity, we have to cultivate a relationship with wonder and respect what wonder means to our creative process.

What would you add to the list of ways to stay in a posture of Wonder?