Imagination is an often overlooked quality, particularly after the age of 10. So many of the things we do as adults require none of it, so we tend to forget its value.
The poet Robert Frost once said, “The brain is a wonderful organ; it starts working the moment you get up in the morning and does not stop until you get to the office.” How sad would our lives be if that were true?
Imagine, if you can, a world in which nothing extraordinary could ever happen. Would you really like to be assured that nothing will ever change? Or would you rather manage that change to make things better?
Of course, our business jargon is full of shorthand for imagination, breaking the mold, thinking outside the box, blazing a new trail. But how often do we really encourage people to do something differently? Have you ever caught yourself telling a new employee: “Don't fix what ain't broke,” “This is the way it's always been done” or “You're still new, but you'll catch on (and do things like everyone else).”
Yet, with change itself moving faster than at any time in history, standing still is the modern equivalent of falling backward. The theory in business is that if you're not growing, you're shrinking or dying. Without letting people imagine a better way, we lose opportunity to improve, and a competitor we've never met will gladly fill that gap. Even “what ain't broke” can hold you back.
What is true for business also is true for cities. A city is either growing and evolving or deteriorating. We've been very lucky in Carlsbad to have a mayor, council and city manager who understand the distinction. They've had the foresight to cultivate and rely on the vision and energy of active citizens who serve on commissions, attend planning workshops and try to imagine a better Carlsbad.
In the past year, a group of dedicated citizens has embarked on an extension of that visionary process. Imagine Carlsbad is a small, but growing group. It's similar to a think-tank, but it's more like a dream-tank for a city that already is a dream destination.
Their monthly meetings have focused on, among other things, encouraging arts and culture, finding and promoting the great/good places in town and generally sustaining our seaside paradise. Even the definition of sustainability is up for discussion, but it certainly involves seeing things not just as they are, but as they could be in two, five or 20 years.
The more we can encourage our citizens to dream and plan together, the more certain our future will exceed our expectations. What will Carlsbad look like in 2025? Who will our leaders be and where will they take us?
Join the discussion and see for yourself, visit www.imaginecarlsbad.org. The future is anything you can imagine.
The poet Robert Frost once said, “The brain is a wonderful organ; it starts working the moment you get up in the morning and does not stop until you get to the office.” How sad would our lives be if that were true?
Imagine, if you can, a world in which nothing extraordinary could ever happen. Would you really like to be assured that nothing will ever change? Or would you rather manage that change to make things better?
Of course, our business jargon is full of shorthand for imagination, breaking the mold, thinking outside the box, blazing a new trail. But how often do we really encourage people to do something differently? Have you ever caught yourself telling a new employee: “Don't fix what ain't broke,” “This is the way it's always been done” or “You're still new, but you'll catch on (and do things like everyone else).”
Yet, with change itself moving faster than at any time in history, standing still is the modern equivalent of falling backward. The theory in business is that if you're not growing, you're shrinking or dying. Without letting people imagine a better way, we lose opportunity to improve, and a competitor we've never met will gladly fill that gap. Even “what ain't broke” can hold you back.
What is true for business also is true for cities. A city is either growing and evolving or deteriorating. We've been very lucky in Carlsbad to have a mayor, council and city manager who understand the distinction. They've had the foresight to cultivate and rely on the vision and energy of active citizens who serve on commissions, attend planning workshops and try to imagine a better Carlsbad.
In the past year, a group of dedicated citizens has embarked on an extension of that visionary process. Imagine Carlsbad is a small, but growing group. It's similar to a think-tank, but it's more like a dream-tank for a city that already is a dream destination.
Their monthly meetings have focused on, among other things, encouraging arts and culture, finding and promoting the great/good places in town and generally sustaining our seaside paradise. Even the definition of sustainability is up for discussion, but it certainly involves seeing things not just as they are, but as they could be in two, five or 20 years.
The more we can encourage our citizens to dream and plan together, the more certain our future will exceed our expectations. What will Carlsbad look like in 2025? Who will our leaders be and where will they take us?
Join the discussion and see for yourself, visit www.imaginecarlsbad.org. The future is anything you can imagine.