How does this fit into your theory of the universe?

For most of modern history, innovators have been pioneering new disciplines in philosophy, spirituality, sports, medicine, science, management, communication, politics, psychology and economics.

Some of these individuals have been academics and professors. Some are world class athletes. Some are doctors, scientists and clergy. And some are just ordinary people with really big ideas.

But the commonality of all these innovators is palpable. They all have a unique perspective. They had their own point of view that informed how they felt about everything.

Not to mention, they have an unshakable commitment to sharing that discipline with the world.

My mentor is one of those people. William is a minister, author and educator who has spent his entire adult life working with black children in the church, the community, and the schools. He is a veteran of the civil rights movement whose pioneering work in urban education impacts scores of people each year.

During our monthly lunches, he would always impart questions for me to ponder. One that stuck with me goes like this:

How does this fit into your theory of the universe?

The core purpose of his question was to help me develop my own filter for experiencing the world. One that would sharpen with every impression, ultimately pointing me to some kind of original and fertile perspective that nobody else had.

If you’re going to be a successful writer, he told me, you have to know how you feel about everything. You have to keep a record of your reactions to issues. Because as long as you getting new information and processing it against your values and beliefs, you’ll always have something interesting to say.

The beauty of asking the question regularly was, it gave me permission to innovate. Asking myself how everything fit into my theory of the universe forced me to actually articulate one. It overcame my intellectual unworthiness so I could focus on pioneering a new discipline of my own.

Who cares if writing your own bible sounds pretentious? Who cares if everyone thinks you’re eccentric for carrying a laminated personal philosophy card in your wallet? Who cares if you get eye rolls when you refer to yourself as an inventor?

That’s where innovation comes from. People who have honed their unique perspective, their special point of view, and boldly share it with the world.

For example, my personal creativity management software centers around what’s called the prolific manifesto. Here’s what thirty years of making art has taught me:

You are never starting from scratch.
Creativity can be systematic, not just sporadic.
Volume and speed trump accuracy and quality.
Mindset matters more than environment.
Giving yourself permission is half of the work.
If you don’t write it down, it never happened.
All forms of emotional tension are usable.
Whatever is unsexy gives you leverage.
You have plenty of time to do everything you want to do.
If fulfillment isn’t the answer, then rephrase the question.
Energy is the organizing principle that gives you the greatest momentum.
Nobody is paying attention anyway, so you might as well enjoy the process.

That’s how I feel about everything. Those maxims are the foundation of my new discipline called personal creativity management.

What’s your theory of the universe?