After Day #2’s thought-provoking lesson, we need to have some FUN. So, let’s continue with our 12-Step Creativity Program by creating.

As I explained in an earlier Creativity Pioneer post, I consider Google to be a pioneer when it comes to creativity for a number of reasons. If you haven’t read the post, please do so.

Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin don’t make their workers sit in boxed off areas with nothing personal surrounding them. As you can see by visiting the links in the above post, Googleplex is a virtual play ground for their workers and techies. They have discovered (by personal experience) that playing and being creative allow their people to think more clearly–to have more ideas and to solve more problems. Sitting behind boring desks just doesn’t do the trick.

Larry and Sergey have always played with Legos themselves. During business meetings, the table is full of Legos. How cool is that?

In today’s picture, you’ll see the house I made out of Legos. It’s a polka dot house with an English Bulldog (named Oscar) on top of the house with a flower pot. Why don’t I have the flower pot behind the picket fence? Two reasons. It won’t fit, and because I like it on top of the house. It looks cool up there.

You might question whether this is really a polka dot house. You don’t see the dots. Instead, you see square blocks. This is where your imagination comes in.

Does the dog really look like my English Bulldog Oscar? Using my imagination, yep. That’s Oscar, and he’s guarding my flower pot on the roof.

My middle son has already taken one of my houses apart so HE could build a house. Since I bought the Legos, we’ve had a war going on about who gets to play with them. He’s 22.

My oldest son, 24, wanted to know if they still come with car parts. I said sure, so he started making a car. This is now a family thing. I have two BIG boxes (around 1100 pieces, but that’s not nearly enough).

Why am I doing this? When you stop and do something fun and creative, you’re allowing your brain to relax. It’s amazing the ideas you can have when you’re not trying to have them.

Think about it. When do you have your best ideas? When you’re in the shower? When you’re driving down the road? At 3:00 a.m. when you get up to go to the bathroom? You often have your best ideas when your mind is relaxed and you’re not thinking about work.

That’s where the blocks come in. Blocks are fun, creative, and colorful, and they help your mind relax. Plus, they can be very stimulating. They can make you think and focus on something else. While you’re concentrating on something else, you may end up solving a work-related problem that has been nagging at you.

Today’s Assignment:

Go to a toy store and walk up and down the aisles. Check out the toys. They’re fascinating these days. There’s something about visiting a toy store, with its bright colors, busy aisles, loud toys (if you click the buttons–which you should do), and happy children that adults need to visit once in a while.

Here’s your shopping list (isn’t this fun?):

EITHER:

1 box of Legos OR 1 box of Lincoln Logs (They cost around $8 or $9–the Legos, that is.)

AND

1 box of at least 24 crayons OR colored pencils or markers AND a coloring book OR sketch pad

OR

(if you’re really brave and want to have a LOT of fun)

Finger paints with paper OR

Sidewalk chalk

We’re only using the Legos or Lincoln Logs today, but I’m saving you a trip back to the toy store.

Your assignment is to build something with the Legos or Lincoln Logs. You can use a pattern that comes with the box or build something on your own. Have FUN! If you have kids, build something with them. They’ll think it’s absolutely wonderful that Mom or Dad came home with blocks! But these are YOUR blocks. Your creativity blocks. Get territorial! (ha!)

If you don’t like what you’ve built, tear it down and build something else until you’re pleased. I wasn’t sure what I wanted, so I kept starting over until I decided on the polka dot house.

After you’re finished, send me a picture of your house and I’ll post it on my blog. Tell me about your experience–in the toy store, building the house or cabin, etc.

Tip: Have an idea journal beside you as you work. If you come up with any ideas for your Web site, jot them down. Your mind will be in “creative mode” as you’re working on your house or cabin, so this will be a good time for ideas to crop up.

Have FUN!

Robin