Can an Umbrella Unleash Your Creative Genius? Yes It Can

I know you want to get to the umbrella part of this article. And I also wouldn't blame you for wondering: Is this guy just trolling, or can an umbrella really make me creative? Before we get to that, let me just say that I don't troll, and yes, using an umbrella really can awaken your creativity. However, let me be clear that we're talking about a metaphorical umbrella, not a literal one.

Yes, your creativity is under the umbrella!

Source: BWilhelms/FreeImages

The "Umbrella Technique" was used by writers on television's pioneering variety and comedy sketch show, Your Show of Shows, which starred Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner, and others. I was fortunate to learn this practice many years ago from Danny Simon, who was one of the writers on that program.

I've frequently used the "Umbrella Technique" in my own life, as well as with clients. I have seen people use this to break out of old-established mental ruts and move freely in new, creative directions. Best of all, it utilizes mindfulness because a mindful mindset is not attached to old thinking or behavioral patterns. It is free, open, and able to wander, even in a purposeful way.

Why do we need this open mindset and ability to creatively reflect inwardly? We live in a world where we are constantly swimming in entertainment. We get information from our phones, we binge-watch our favorite streaming programs, and we are mesmerized by the ever-constant flow of sports and news.

Studies have shown that the average American spends about several hours each day looking at screens. For those 8 to 18 years of age, a Kaiser Family Foundation national survey found a media usage imbalance caused by multi-tasking.

We need to ask, how does being passively entertained assist us in utilizing our own, innate creativity? How does it enhance our ability to think differently about our relationships, our purpose, and our lives?

If we’re stuck mostly in viewing mode, in a passive receiving mode, do we lose the ability to be participators in our own lives? Do we run the risk of diminishing our ability to meet our daily challenges with the kind of imagination and creativity that are necessary to problem solve, and also bring joy and a sense of aliveness into each moment?

Mindfulness is a skill that teaches us how to shift from passivity to creative participation and alertness in all facets of life.

Creativity Integrates Your Life, and Your Brain

Recently, I conducted an interview with Lyle Kessler, one of America's most celebrated playwrights. Along with his wife, actress Margaret Ladd, he co-founded the Imagination Workshop at New York’s Mount Sinai Hospital. Together, they developed a unique artistic methodology for working with hospitalized psychiatric patients, veterans, and “at-risk” students in New York and Los Angeles. Using creativity, severely ill patients, even catatonic ones, were able to speak and express themselves freely.

I'd like to share a couple of ideas from Lyle Kessler. The first is a favorite quote of his, and the second are from his own words.

Art integrates; Politics divides.
—Eugene Ionesco, playwright

Imagination is genius. And the intellect will only send you down roads that already have been paved and are there. But the imagination will surprise you.
—Lyle Kessler, actor, director, playwright

Studies in brain science indicate that creativity promotes brain network integration. Networks that previously worked separately, now start communicating and integrating with one another.

Are you ready to use that umbrella to unleash your creative mind and stimulate new neural connections? Discover how:

The 3-Step "Umbrella Technique" for Unleashing Creativity

Here is a simple and fun way to find new ideas when stuck.

To begin, set aside time and place free of distractions or interruptions. Set your intention to enter a new creative and integrative space. Remember, this also means releasing and letting go of any expectations you may have about getting the "right answer."

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1) Think of a career choice or work-related problem (or any problem) that you are facing.

Write that down as a question, such as “What kind of job would I love to do most?” Your question will help focus the purpose of your creative exploration.

2) Draw the shape of an umbrella on a sheet of paper.

This can be drawn as an oblong semi-circle at the top of a blank page or on a whiteboard.

3) In the space beneath the curved umbrella, write down all of the ideas that come to mind relating to the topic or idea that you want to explore.

Let your mind flow. Do this without censoring anything. Every idea that emerges is acceptable to go under your umbrella. Don’t judge it. In this way, you can overcome obstacles such as a belief in limits, fixed mindsets, and contexts.

Lastly, give yourself permission to be creative and free and even silly with your thoughts. In this way, you can harness integrative and creative insights from the various networks of your brain.
This mindfulness brainstorming exercise in creativity can be performed by yourself, or with a group. Experiment with what emerges, and see what best fits the circumstances.

Conclusion

Have fun with this technique. If nothing else, you have just experienced allowing yourself to be open when approaching even difficult problems. Sometimes we need to let go to find something new that we can hold onto. Bring creativity into your day and see how it broadens your horizons.