CREATIVITY – IT’S LIKE RIDING A BIKE BY JACK CONDON

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to ride a bike on thin ice? Of course not – no one in their right mind has.

While visiting Beijing as part of Miami’s Asian Financial Markets study abroad program, I spent one day touring local attractions like the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square with some friends. After the tours finished, we came across a frozen river teeming with excitement. What we saw were hundreds of Chinese school children gathered on the ice riding bikes with the front wheel replaced by an ice skate. Like any rationally-thinking individual, I thought “wow, what a cool idea that’ll be discontinued when the ice breaks and everyone dies.”

Yet again, I found myself succumbing to my greatest barrier to creativity, my voice of judgement (VOJ). All the logic and reasoning in the world led me to believe that this experience was too risky. But something much less scientific finally compelled me to run onto the ice, the laughter and excitement of the kids playing. Shortly after I began riding, I suddenly saw myself back on the playground in grade school running around and laughing.

Looking back at my time abroad I realize my most memorable experiences occurred only after I completely silenced my “VOJ”. It’s certainly an inner struggle I battle with daily. But for every “ice-bike” experience, I know my creativity develops, my mind opens, and my “VOJ” diminishes.

So lately, when judgment surfaces, I remember that experience and think creativity may just be “like riding a bike.”

Was it a stupid idea? Could I have been injured?

Perhaps.

Did I enjoy myself? Did it open my mind? Will I remember it for years to come?

You bet.