Between the deluge of fireworks and pixie dust here at Walt Disney World, I am also studying (i.e., just reading a book) about the Imagineering Process of this magical place. An artist must never be too ‘on vacation’ to learn from the ideas and success of another.
I am reading The Imagineering Workout: Exercises to Shape Your Creative Muscles, by The Disney Imagineers. If you are a creative component to your industry, or especially if you lead brainstorming sessions with a team of change-makers, or if you just like to read and think creatively, read this book.
“Coming up with a new recipe to feed the family, or even putting together a presentation for a new client may not typically be thought of as creative acts, but they are. Creativity is about choices, training, experimentation, inspiration, history, commitment, and fun. Every occupation – from artist to businessperson, teacher to chef – requires us to imagine, create, and execute ideas. No matter what you’re doing, you’re being creative,”
tells Jody Revenson, a Disney Editor.
Hear that? No matter what you’re doing, you’re being creative. Or you better hope you are. Otherwise it’s the beginning of the end.
I read about the “Yes, if…” method. This is how the early analysts and economists fueled the development of Disneyland and Walt Disney World, particularly how they brought ideas to Walt himself.
“‘Yes, if…’ is the language of an enabler.
It pointed to what needed to be done to make the possible plausible.
Walt liked this language.
‘No, because…’ is the language of a deal killer.
‘Yes, if…’ is the approach of a deal maker.
Creative people thrive on ‘Yes, if…’.
So, in essence, the conversation could look like, “Could we make this happen?” “Yes, if we had more funding. Or if we hired one more person. Or if we had the executive support we need. Or if we had some promotional materials. Or if we had a new creative director. Or…” you see how this goes.
So then I add these two formulas together, because their definition of creativity is a whole lot like my definition of parenting: “choices, training, experimentation, inspiration, history, commitment, and fun.”
Check, check, check, check, check, check and check.
From a parenting standpoint, let me look closely at this “Yes, if…” method. Especially with regard to the child I have who demands a measure of ingenuity every moment of the livelong day as he endlessly challenges my very God-given authority and questions my common sense as a human being.
Instead of answering, “No, because…” I wonder what it might look like if I train myself to begin with, “Yes, if…”
“Can I [insert anything at all, to any degree of common request or seriously raging atrocity]?”
“Yes, if you’ve washed your hands.”
“Yes, if you wake up early enough.”
“Yes, if you tie your shoes.”
“Yes, if you can stop arguing with me.”
“Yes, if you have read the directions.”
“Yes, if I have pre-approved the ingredients.”
“Yes, if you are 18.”
“Yes, if you don’t mind answering to the police.”
“Yes, if you can pay for it yourself.”
“Yes, if you are okay with the possibility of having only 8 fingers.” Which I am not okay with, so maybe it’s “Yes, if I can agree with the consequences to your life as well.”
Imagine the possibilities. Imagine how his spirit could soar. Yes, if only his mom would give him the chance.
I loved this post – it’s very similar to my spouse’s view of only say no if there’s a really good reason. Which I do with, in my mind, bigger things – the park, water balloon fights, the pool. But I thought about my day to day (i’m home w/ 3, 5 & under) and thought I could make some improvements. I’m a bit sad to report that No comes out of my mouth so quickly I don’t even realize it. But the good news is now I’m aware of it. So, “can you read this book to me?” is slowly being answered with yes, if you get dressed first, rather than just No, you need to get dressed. Thank you for this post!
Such good food for thought! Thank you so much for sharing – it gives me a lot to think about, not just for parenting, but also my general attitude and approach to life.
Yes, yes, yes! A pastor once told me he says “yes” to his kids as often as he can, so that when he must say “no,” they understand it’s very important. This is SUCH a similar concept. So force yourself to do this re-training; it will be terrific!
I like this, too! There are so many things that already have a nonnegotiable “no” attached to them (Mom, can I build a bomb, can I drive the car on your lap with you, can I climb on the second-story roof, can I just poop outside instead of using this scary porta-potty…the list is so long. I want to remember to look for (and say) way more yes. Yes if seems like it would nurture problem solving. No because is just about respecting my authority.
I love this! I promised myself a long time ago that if I ever became a parent that I would use this model, but I didn’t know this model then. Of course I haven’t become a parent, but I work with children. “No” is definitely a dream killer. Thanks for sharing!