Is it a Tree? Elizabeth's Creativity Story
Concept and prompts by Alice Au Quan, created in collaboration with Midjourney
I remember a story shared by one of my colleagues, Elizabeth, when we were working together at Reflect.com. We had met at Procter and Gamble, and she told me about an experience from her childhood that has always stuck with me. When she was a child, her teacher asked the class to draw a picture of a tree. Most of the children drew the trunk and the leaves on top, as one would typically expect. But Elizabeth always drew the tree as if she were lying down on the ground, looking up at it. Her perspective was unique, and she saw the tree from a completely different vantage point.
The teacher, however, told her that her drawing was not a tree. Elizabeth insisted, "Yes, it is a tree. It's just from a different perspective." This story resonated with me because it highlights how society often tries to fit us into predefined molds, telling us what is and isn't acceptable. But in reality, there are countless ways to look at and interpret the world around us.
This story is a perfect example of creativity and the importance of nurturing it from a young age. It's a bummer that teachers, even at such a young age, are already telling children what is and isn't acceptable, instead of allowing them to dream and draw outside the lines. Elizabeth's view of the tree was a manifestation of her creativity, and it made me reflect on whether we are cultivating creativity or killing it.
In my work, I strive to encourage this kind of thinking. There are hundreds of ways to think about a problem and even more ways to solve it. I believe that dreaming and asking "what if?" are essential to innovation and progress. I call this being “Whatiftimistic,” the art of always asking “what if?” with an insane amount of unwavering optimism. By allowing ourselves to dream without constraints, we can tap into the full potential of our creativity and imagination. This value has guided me throughout my career, and I hope it inspires others to embrace their unique perspectives and dream big.
The Creativity Compass
If you're inspired to embrace 'Whatiftimism,' here are three small ways to integrate this mindset into your life:
Look Up: Change your perspective. Imagine solving a problem as if you were someone else—a child, an artist, or even an inventor like Da Vinci.
Look Around: Spot the unnoticed. Challenge yourself to see opportunity in what’s often ignored or dismissed as ‘impossible.’
Look Within: Take 10 minutes each week to jot down 'what if' ideas—no matter how impractical they may seem. Creativity thrives without judgment.
