chrisbrogan.com - Latest Comments in Think in Curves

Re: Think in Curves

Chris Marsden — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:46:35 -0000

It is always the obvious truth that is so hard to accept. My linear career path has been in a blind curve for two years now. Not a bad thing, just a reality. Accepting that it is a curve and not a linear step along the bath has been huge. Now I can enjoy the scenery and being excited about what may be around the cureve. Thanks for your thoughts.

Re: Think in Curves

Hediye — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:38:16 -0000

May you recover soon...
:(

Re: Think in Curves

wendy soucie — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:06:23 -0000

I think this a good methodolgy to approach projects. Think of it as considering the outcome desired and then all the paths that can drive you to it. I am an "Almost engineer" doing sales and marketing of technical products. This means I have an engineering degree but couldn't quite work in such a structured environment. The ability to think in curves is what helps me work with most of the true engineers I spend time with in manufacturing and technical services.

I like the fact that you have voiced this and there is solid support from you followers on this conceptually, It makes me feel justified in my approach over the past 30 years.

Wendy

Re: Think in Curves

Sasha Kane — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 04:27:41 -0000

Aww! so sorry about your finger. Know that had to hurt.

When I started Twittering...
I was greatly frustrated because i did not get it!
Thought twitter was a bit boring and did not like sitting like one of Pavlov's Dogs waiting for that little kernel of wit, truth, smarts or warmth someone just had to Tweet out at any given moment.

A very notable Social Media type took me under his wing and told me not to think---You got it----Linear. He told me to Tweet like a tipsy parrot with Turrets Syndrome, basically with good sense but unfiltered.

Thinking within a curve not only takes imagination but strength...Even though you are in harmony with nature and the Universal Quantum world...You are going against acceptable human regimented secular thinking and behavior.

Am wondering is thinking curvature a gift? Everyone can do it with practice? Or is it a learned behavior?

Lots of questions...
Great food for thought...

As always thanks, Chris.

Re: Think in Curves

Milos — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:03:36 -0000

Straight lines are inundated with road blocks which we must move around in order to get to our goal. At times, we even have to turn around and find a completely different way. I agree that a free flowing form is the way to go...a mix of straight lines and curves.

Re: Think in Curves

john blue — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 19:45:06 -0000

Phil McKinney, Killer Innovations podcast, has some good thoughts (audio) on this very thought of non-linear career paths http://tinyurl.com/9oxcbo . One item he advises is that you need to make lateral and sometimes de- motional moves to gain experience and understanding...

Stay away from sharp objects:)
John

Re: Think in Curves

Emily Medvec — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 17:51:02 -0000

Chris - if only Columbus could have realized the wisdom of curve thinking... thanks for visual insight and please be careful with your other nine digits

Re: Think in Curves

Betsy Wuebker — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 08:43:23 -0000

Hi Chris - Recently Pete and I were working on something and it dawned! He's a linear thinker, a list-maker, a sequential. I think like a web or a net. All those little intersections of thoughts and ideas. Curves, webs, remain open to the unexpected and the connectivity.

Re: Think in Curves

Asphodel — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 07:58:03 -0000

Hah! You make me wanna stop living in dots and progress to lines in the first place.

Re: Think in Curves

Eamon — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 06:57:55 -0000

"Why not think in angles and curves instead of straight lines?": imagination is more important than knowledge. Einstein.

Re: Think in Curves

SusieBlackmon — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 05:48:54 -0000

Never thought straight in my life! Smooch. I hope that makes it better.

Re: Think in Curves

Vaishali — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 05:24:32 -0000

I hear what you are saying Chris (and literally too). Whilst it is a great way to look at things, I would say people are forced to think in curves when the situation demands it. Else they fail. How to deal with the nonlinearity and unexpected moments is the question.

When your finger gets better, would like to read some examples from your own experience (unless you are up for another video shoot) :)

Re: Think in Curves

Ria — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 23:19:23 -0000

I just got an email from Jenny Yerrick Martin that says the same thing. Running a business is like driving on the back country roads. Curvy, not straight. You have to negotiate dips and obstacles, highs and lows. I will add to that thought by saying it is the journey itself that will bring you new opportunities, learning and growth. You may take one step towards a goal and then get "sidetracked." Or, at least, that's how it might appear to others. But really, it may be that step to the side is really where you want to be, but you just couldn't see it from your previous vantage point and would have missed it entirely if you are fixated on going straight.

Chris, at some point, you'll have to take the duck tape off! Yikes!

Re: Think in Curves

Kelley Bell — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 21:55:19 -0000

O.K.

This is funny...sad, but funny...
At the EXACT nano second when submitted the above comment, my darling dog came up to scratch at my leg for attention, scraping her CLAWS across my keyboard and breaking off two keys! AUGGH

(So much for clawing my way to the top. I'm just clawing at my laptop.)

On with Plan A...

Re: Think in Curves

Kelley Bell — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 21:22:30 -0000

O.K. Chris...I'm gonna do it...I'm gonna jump off this high dive...one...two...three...

But before I do, I thought I would drop in and say thanks for all the rock solid advice. I am heading over to Bluehost right now to buy my web hosting, then stopping off to purchase Thesis before migrating my free "just-for-fun" blogger blog up to the big time on wordpress.org.

Will I recoup my little investment of cash and large investment of time?
(The spouse and I have a friendly side bet on that one.)

Well, enough stalling...one...two...three.......

...three and a half....

...JUMP!

(P.S. I'm clicking to both sites from here. -Hope those affiliate clicks help you.)

Re: Think in Curves

Zipporah Sandler — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 21:05:39 -0000

Sorry about your boo boo (tough to type when the bandage hits more than one key at the same time). Curves are good, as long as you keep your goal in sight.

Re: Think in Curves

Shinil Payamal — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 19:41:07 -0000

Hi Chris,

Hope your finger is healing fast.

I guess, the problem for most people is that they can't think straight! But yes, I agree with what you said about Mother nature making most of the things curvy.

Best Wishes,
Shinil.
@shinils on Twitter - http://twitter.com/shinils

Re: Think in Curves

Steven Wilson — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 17:07:02 -0000

Gotta love the duct tape bandage Chris.

Re: Think in Curves

Mark — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 13:48:08 -0000

Chris,

Your curve this morning inspired a circle post to flow out of me. http://mandalalifemedia.com...

Thanks for the spherical inspiration!

Re: Think in Curves

Danny Brown — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 13:04:52 -0000

I'm guessing if you'd curved around your finger instead of cutting straight ahead you would have missed it? ;-)

The Earth is the biggest curve going - strange how we still think it's straight...

Re: Think in Curves

LisaNewton — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 12:32:22 -0000

Curves are one reason I firmly believe in flexibility. If things don't go as planned, rethink, or redo, or reassess.

Now, I have to get my own curves in motion. Time for a bike ride.................:)

BTW, two days ago, I found lots of curves while doing my laundry.

Re: Think in Curves

Mary — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 12:27:54 -0000

@ Stan Ordchard: My curves have been called "meandering" by some nearest and dearest to me! My family is beginning to appreciate my ability to focus on many things (especially on the Internet) as I'm making some technologies begin to work for us. I agree that the inspiration often comes from little side trips! I've also found that when I'm working on a left-brain problem (I'm a programmer during the day), a walk to a different locale kicks my right-brain in gear and the answer often comes to me right away. More meandering; more curves!

Re: Think in Curves

Carrie — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 12:19:42 -0000

Yes, what Ann said up above - mindmapping. i wrote a post about it - I actually had a topic (one of the 1001 uses for mindmapping), but same concept. Check it out http://www.thevirtualinch.c... Please comment when your finger gets better. Love the duct tape... LOL... oops, sorry :)

Re: Think in Curves

Enduring Wanderlust — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 11:53:58 -0000

Enjoy it! I'd like to see more video blogs too.

Re: Think in Curves

Dad — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 11:51:19 -0000

Urgg - pull the ball, not "pull the pull". Dang nab it.