On Thursday evening, The Hired Guns agency and Portfolio author Todd Henry hosted an event at the former’s fabulous offices to share content from Todd’s new book, The Accidental Creative: How to Be Brilliant at a Moment’s Notice (on sale 7/7). Penned by the founder and CEO of Accidental Creative, a speaking and consulting firm, The Accidental Creative helps teams and individuals to prosper under pressure in today’s “create on demand” environments.
The audience was composed of executives, designers, managers and artists who specialize in advertising, publishing, investing, human resources, and a myriad of professional areas in between. All were eager to hear Todd’s thoughts on surrounding ourselves with the right combination of elements that can help us to create “accidentally,” on the spot and when it matters most.
Todd explained the dynamics of organizational creativity and the importance of building a rhythm that facilitates heightened creativity:
FOCUS: Reclaim your attention to your most critical work.
RELATIONSHIPS: Develop stimulating connections in order to grow continually.
ENERGY: Manage it effectively so that you are always ready to engage.
STIMULI: Turn off “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” and listen to a little Chopin. See what happens!
HOURS: Use time effectively rather than pushing yourself toward a creativity drain.
In this way, the author explained, we will create better atmospheres in which to create. Though many of us believe that there is simply no rhyme or reason to the process by which we (suddenly!) hit upon a brilliant thought, Todd has honed a system that teaches minds in all fields how to develop exceptional ideas regularly.
Next up, The Hired Guns will host a series of book club discussions and webinars with Todd Henry. In the meantime, check out this great video Todd made for the book:
The Accidental Creative: How To Be Brilliant at a Moment’s Notice from Accidental Creative on Vimeo.
