Looking into the night sky as a young boy, I often thought about what lies beyond our solar system. This intrigue of the universe was expanded when the movie, “Star Wars,” was made. It resonated with me as George Lucas created this whole other galaxy teeming with different life forms and advanced technology. At one point in my life, this desire to know what is beyond our skies led me in the direction of pursuing aerospace engineering as my chosen career path.
“MAN’S ONLY LIMITATION, within reason, LIES IN HIS DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF HIS IMAGINATION”
Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich
As a child, we spent countless hours using our imaginations to create the most spectacular worlds in which we played. From forts made of snow to closets becoming train cars (yes, my sister and I imagined the two closets with sliding doors in my room as train cars), there was no limits to our imagination. Then somewhere along the way as we got older, we put our imagination on a shelf and rarely take it down and use it.
Leaders need to understand the unlocking or taking your creative imagination off the shelf is essential to innovation and growth. Leaders who develop and exercise their imagination are far better at finding solutions to problems, creating fresh new ideas, and inspiring others to follow. The continual use of imagination opens doors others cannot see. The use of creative imagination has led to countless discoveries, unique experiences, life-saving medical procedures, products and services that have made life easier, efficient, or fun, peace to hostile situations, and so much more. One creative idea alone can change the world.
When was the last time you exercised your imagination? What would you do if you knew there were no limits? Every one of us has the capability to use this powerful resource to create something that will open the doors to fulfilling our most desired goal or dream. Take some time today to exercise your imagination.
