This is a story about having fun.
Following your dreams.
And achieving a breakthrough.
It’s very easy and works every time.
My story illustrates the importance of fresh ideas.
People love them.
But new ideas require a little creative thinking.
Creativity is fun.
Being original requires bravery.
If you want to think freely and move forward.
Here’s my advice…
Point 1. Do something different.
Stand out from the crowd.
Do something people will enjoy.
Something they will appreciate
Just because it’s different.
This is my story…
After graduating from University, finding my first job was difficult.
I needed a breakthrough to get started.
So I moved to Sydney and found it.
In a strange place…
A dirty paddock.
My light bulb moment came walking, nearby my home. I lived in a very unglamorous old slaves quarters for men.
As I wandered through the paddock, an interesting object appeared before my eyes.
I stood there transfixed by an old style enamel kitchen sink.
Standing there, I wondered how it could help me find a job?
Ahhh, I had an idea…
Point 2: To receive a breakthrough, be imaginative and enjoy being silly.
So I picked up the heavy sink and took it home.
Cleaned and polished it.
Saturday came.
I saw a job advertised in the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper.
Of course, the company required experience.
I had none.
It was a very highly paid job too. A prime position.
I thought to myself…
“What have I got to lose?”
So, I went for the job.
But rather than using the normal approach, as 99.9% job seekers do, I did things differently.
Sitting on the bus I received many odd looks from people.
They probably wondered, “Why does that guy have a kitchen sink on his lap?”
People stared as I carried the kitchen sink down the main street of Sydney, at peak hour, in bright yellow pants.
It was heavy.
Serious faced business people were rushing around in dark suits.
I was quietly amused by the silliness of life.
The recruitment office was a beautifully opulent marble skyscraper.
Dripping in wealth.
Filled with very serious, stern professionals.
I wondered if this normally conservative company had ever received an application like mine?
I was excited.
To be going against the mainstream gives me adrenalin.
Creative people are odd, without even trying.
Here’s what is needed to follow a crazy original idea you might have…
Point 3. You need courage in the face of enormous potential embarrassment.
Back to the story…
On the sink, where the hot tap should have been, there was a wide hole.
So I rolled my brief resume and cover letter and slotted the papers into the hole.
My cover letter was simple.
It read…
“EMPLOY SIMON BRUSHFIELD AND HE’LL GIVE YOU EVERYTHING – INCLUDING THE KITCHEN SINK”.
I greeted the receptionist.
And placed my large kitchen sink on her desk.
“Here is my application for the graphic design position”.
The office fell about with laughter.
Suddenly, a boring day in the office had changed.
From seriousness to silliness.
Point 4: People enjoy something out of the ordinary, to give them inspiration and amusement in life.
But I was serious.
I asked the receptionist, “Can you please make sure my application receives the attention of Mr Bob Dewey?”
The giggling receptionist made a phone call to her boss.
I was sent directly to Mr Dewey’s office. He was the recruitment executive controlling the job.
With no experience and as a fresh graduate, I spent 30 minutes talking with the decision maker of a high profile recruitment company in Sydney.
He was intrigued.
Originality is the key.
Word quickly spread around the office. And other executives came to meet the weirdo in yellow pants with the kitchen sink. Just to shake my hand and say…
“We’ve never seen anything like this before!”
The whole office was entertained.
At the close of the conversation, the top man in the company guaranteed me an interview.
I had risked embarrassment.
And my stunt worked perfectly.
Creativity is exciting.
With zero experience, I got down to the last 3 applicants.
The whole job seeking process was turned into great fun.
I had found my break through.
Designing in the creative department for Mr Rupert Murdoch’s News Limited.
Final Point: Breakthrough’s happen when we relax, put ourselves on the line and follow our unique creativity.
Here’s my advice…
Live life following your crazy ideas.
People will celebrate them.
Rise above boredom and stand out from the crowd.
Discover innovative ways of doing things.
You’ll have so much fun.
Plus, you’ll get what you want.
People need your creativity for inspiration.
They need your originality and leadership.
What’s your story?
Please leave a comment below.
For further ideas on how to stand out from the crowd, you might like to read the book ‘Made to Stick’ by Chip & Dan Heath.