In short, Thomas Edison made Menlo Park his laboratory for creating. If you read the Wikipedia insert below, it’s now a museum which is pretty cool. (I had no idea!) As you know, his creation of the first incandescent light bulb is one of the greatest inventions of all time. That and the phonograph were created in the Menlo Park warehouse.
In order to “CREATE” in the best way, we must go about creating an environment that allows our minds to think freely and elaborate on those ideas that pop in and out of our minds throughout our days. I just loved this.
Here are some highlights….
- Create a separate space to work on creativity, DISTRACTION FREE. It may be a coffee shop, Cabin in the woods, a space you’ve carved out in your home, or business… No matter what, make sure it inspires you.
- Make sure your space is INSPIRATIONAL. What is that to you? Sunlight, comfy chair, white walls and markers? Inspiring quotes? Fresh flowers? Some terrific instrumental music? Make sure it is as clutter free as possible, so there is “free space” to think.
- Consider new places! Travel if you can, “A change of space = a change of perspective” (Batterson) is one of my favorite quotes.
- Schedule time in your “Menlo Park.” I just did this after being inspired by this video. I already do my writing generally at a local coffee shop on Saturday mornings, but I also scheduled a “creativity” retreat for July which I’m excited about. It is definitely true that what gets scheduled gets done. I am thinking two a year will be a great start.
I’d love to hear your ideas. I hope this inspires you as it did me!
EXTRAS:
– Thomas Edison PBS Special
– Wikipedia page on Menlo Park, an unincorporated community located within Edison Township in Middlesex County, New Jersey.
(Photo Credit: Pinterest)