A Note from Michelle: What If?

I recently attended a “wine and watercolor” class that left me energized and inspired. I went into the class a complete beginner (at watercoloring . . . I’m pretty adept at drinking wine) and, while I’m no Georgia O’Keefe, I’m now confident enough in my abilities to continue learning.

Because that's what true learning is about: being inspired to keep going until you “get” it.

Training must be detailed and specific in certain situations—learning how to use accounting software, for example. But if you want to truly spark someone’s imagination and light up their creativity, inject more fluidity—and fun—into the learning process; it makes all the difference in how much our brains actually absorb.

Neurologist and teacher Judy Willis, author of Research-Based Strategies to Ignite Student Learning, explains it this way:

“Optimal brain activation occurs when subjects are in positive emotional states or when the material holds personal meaning, connects to their interests, is presented with elements of novelty, or evokes wonder.”

Our facilitator explained "There are no mistakes here!" and we all immediately relaxed into that "positive emotional state." We were all there to experiment and have fun. We were there to play (the wine was a bit of a clue).

So, with encouragement, we played with different colors and techniques: dropping pigment on the paper, spraying water, adding definition with bamboo pens, and whatever else grabbed us in the moment. At our facilitator's suggestion, we continually asked ourselves, “What if?” What if I deepen the color concentration there? What if I add more water to the paper here? What if I use this brush instead of that one?

“What if” is the essence of invoking wonder in a learning experience.

What if you asked yourself these three questions?

• What if I approach this from a different angle?

• What if I experiment freely—without fear of failure?

• What if I look for inspiration in an unusual place?

What if you try it and see what happens?

Michelle Kelly, CEO (Chief Enjoyment Officer)