Why travel is good for this homebody
Several years ago I was at a conference and came across a book by Ken Wytsma titled Create Vs. Copy[1]. It explored the value of copying others as a learning tool but warned against relying on it as you progressed – especially if you were seeking to copy something purely for personal gain. I picked up a handful of copies. Because of its short length (only 192 pages in a 5″ x 7″ book!) I thought it might be a good read for the young men who were just about to enter high school at our church and also made up the bulk of our worship band on Sunday mornings.
We discussed different parts of Sunday mornings and music. What was copying and what was creating? Picking from a catalog of Bethel and Hillsong songs that most of our congregation knew was pretty much copying, we agreed. After all the sheet music was provided and even a click track the musicians can hear in their ear pieces to ensure the same tempo is kept as it is in the recordings.
But we also agreed that selecting which songs, the order they went in and how they paired with the message was creative and ultimately that took longer than it did for the musicians to learn each selected song (apparently there is some pattern to Christian music that makes picking up new songs fairly simple for an accomplished musician). If I had read it then, I would probably relate the idea of System 1 thinking to the picking of the songs from Daniel Kahneman’s, Thinking Fast and Slow[2], and System 2 thinking as it related to the using of intentional thinking to put the songs in order to do their best to support the message that morning.
Steal Like an Artist[3] isn’t a new idea. The author copts to as much by littering the print edition with several quotes including on the first page of text where we find a quote from Pablo Picasso, “Art is theft”[4]. However, he provides some unique ideas of how one might learn to “steal like an artist.”
I’m a homebody. My perfect vacation, is five days at home, sleeping in, meeting a friend for coffee around 10 a.m., having lunch on my own to people watch, then meeting another coffee in the mid-afternoon with another friend, going home to have dinner with my family and then building a Lego set and doing some reading in the backyard. The idea of getting in the car or flying on a plane somewhere is totally unappealing to me. But Kleon’s suggestion that travelling is an ideal way to learn how to hone your creative craft made me realize that the travel I have done in my life has been immensely influential to my creativity today.
“Travel makes the world look new,” he writes. “And when the world looks new, our brains work harder.”[5] In an earlier blog post on this site I admitted to defaulting often to the System 1 thinking Kahneman describes in Thinking Fast and Slow. Travelling is a perfect way to force your brain into System 2 thinking, where you need to pause and ramp up your creativity. Understanding money conversions, navigating a new city, thinking about not only where to get food but what you might find on the menu when you arrive, these are all hacks to kick your brain into System 2 thinking.
On the opposite page of this quote is a simple graph. On the y-axis is “insight” and on the x-axis is “distance.” Simply, the further you travel from home the greater your capacity to develop your artistry will become.
This was a threshold moment for me as described by Robert Coven in his TEDxCaryAcademy talk[6].
Travel on my own through Europe after college, as an auto journalist and being flown around the world to drive cars and recently with colleagues in doctoral programs at George Fox University have all been extraordinarily informative to how I approach problems creatively, how I have developed empathy for newcomers to Canada and the questions I ask when I consume a news report. I did not understand this impact before reading Steal Like an Artist.
As I think about by NPO, which at this moment is about exploring how vision can cascade more effectively through an organization, I am wondering how these “a-ha” moments can be encouraged or even manufactured. Helping organizations open their staff’s minds to the same insight the decision maker has would be brilliant. It’s definitely something I am going to use my System 2 brain to explore.
[1] Wytsma, Ken. Create vs. Copy: Embrace Change, Ignite Creativity, Break Through with Imagination. Moody Publishers, 2016
[2] Kahneman, Daniel. Thinking, Fast and Slow. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2011
[3] Kleon, Austin. Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative. Workman Publishing Company, 2012
[4] Steal Like an Artist, page 1
[5] Steal Like an Artist, page 94
[6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCPYSKSFky4
About the Author
Mathieu Yuill
While raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens may be a few of Julia Andrews' favourite things, here are a few of mine: Talking to strangers, Learning about what you do for fun, Conversation over coffee. I own a marketing and communications company in Toronto, Canada called Leading With Nice. There are a lot of names I could have given the company but a trusted friend encouraged me to name it that because I really value the humanness in us all. Bah - this is starting to sound like a horrible LinkedIn post. So whatever, let's have coffee. I'd love to hear about what you do for fun!14 responses to “Why travel is good for this homebody”
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Great connection to how travel truly does expand our horizons and force us into System 2 thinking. It can also help us deepen our emotional intelligence, or “emotional granularity” as Lisa Feldman Barret calls it. In her book How Emotions are Made she explains how our emotions are shaped by the culture we grow up in. By immersing ourselves into cultures that are not our own we can learn about but actually start to feel these new emotion concepts.
Having experienced the value of travel, how can you seek out those “travel” moments in the course of your daily (or weekly or yearly) life? You’ve mentioned that your city is very multicultural; have you been able to learn on a regular basis from those other cultures that surround you?
I completely agree that travel has the power to expand our horizons and push us into System 2 thinking. It’s fascinating to see how different cultures approach problem-solving, decision-making, and other aspects of life. Additionally, immersing ourselves in new cultures can enhance our emotional intelligence and increase our emotional granularity.
While travel may not always be feasible or accessible for everyone, there are still ways to seek out those “travel” moments in our daily lives. One way to do this is by actively seeking out opportunities to engage with people from different cultures and backgrounds. This could be as simple as striking up a conversation with someone who speaks a different language or attending cultural events and festivals in your city.
As for myself, I am fortunate to live in a multicultural city, and I try to take advantage of this by exploring different neighborhoods and trying new foods. I also make an effort to learn about the history and traditions of the cultures represented in my community. By doing so, I am constantly learning and expanding my perspective.
So, while travel is a powerful way to broaden our horizons, it is not the only way. By actively seeking out opportunities to engage with people from different cultures, we can continue to learn and grow, even in our daily lives.
Hi Matthew,
Travel…At this point I think I am getting tired of travel and yet the last couple of years I seemed to be dragged of to “somewhere” more than I like.
Coming from Hawaii, I always looked into mainstream USA. The Army and Missions work found me living overseas for 30 years. This shaped my perspective as a third culture adult. Having a US passport but not quite fitting in to US cultural norms.
I am beginning to realize that the “travel” perspective has influenced my thinking, especially on my immigration focused NPO. I want it to help international newcomers and “travel” has given me that leaping off point. I hadn’t really thought about my motivation till you brought it up…thanks.
My bible study last night covered Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, Seek, Knock
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
I was thinking that I got the “asking” part down, but I am relooked at the seeking and knocking. Perhaps in seeking and knocking, my will is being realigned to His will. Both in the physical NPO world and the spiritual realm.
Nice post…Shalom…Russ
It’s understandable that after traveling extensively for a few years, you may feel burnt out and tired of it. However, it’s great to hear that your experiences have shaped your perspective as a third culture adult and have given you a unique understanding of cultural norms.
It’s interesting to hear that you’ve realized how your travel experiences have influenced your motivation to help international newcomers through your NPO. It’s always valuable to reflect on our experiences and see how they have shaped our perspectives and motivations.
Regarding your bible study and the passage on asking, seeking, and knocking, it’s important to remember that seeking and knocking require action on our part. We can’t just ask for something and expect it to be given to us without putting in the effort to seek and knock. It’s encouraging to hear that you are reevaluating your approach to seeking and knocking, and that it’s leading to a realignment of your will with His will.
Hi Mathieu,
I enjoyed your post. Your insights on travel and Kahneman’s system 1 and system 2 thinking have me revisiting the overload that comes with international travel. I recognized the quick system 1 thinking and decision making that may have contributed to more than a few cultural mistakes and misunderstandings. My brain can easily run on auto pilot making random connections that aren’t really connections after all. It takes some practice to manage the anxiety of unfamiliar places and slow down enough to engage with system 2 thinking. Has Kleon’s book inspired you to more travel? If so, Where to and why? Does travel fit into your NPO?
Thank you for your thoughtful response. It’s great to hear that my post resonated with you and that it inspired you to reflect on your own experiences with international travel.
I can definitely relate to the overload that can come with travel, particularly when we rely on quick system 1 thinking to navigate unfamiliar situations. It takes practice and mindfulness to slow down and engage with system 2 thinking, especially when we are dealing with the anxiety and uncertainty that can come with traveling to new places.
As for Kleon’s book, “Steal Like an Artist,” I find it inspiring and thought-provoking, but I don’t think it has necessarily inspired me to travel more. However, I do enjoy exploring new places and cultures, and being in Toronto, there are plenty of opportunities to “travel” without going too far from home.
Mathieu,
Reading your blog from a particular context: My daughter injured her foot last week which will mean missing at least 2-3 weeks of volleyball. This weekend is their first longer trip/hotel stay weekend…and she can’t play. She was speaking to her coach, expressing her wondering if she should bother going or not. The coach insightfully (1) Challenged her to be a leader in a new way for the team over the weekend…and (2) Shared with her the importance of trips in general, but particularly first trips, and how they contribute to team bonding, deepening relationships, and more resilient teams when tough times come.
Ok….enough context. I’m not trying to update you my daughter’s life whom you’ve never met!
My thought as I read your blog (with my current context): While travelling might unlock or inspire new creative vistas within ourselves….could it also be said that travelling WITH others creates all sorts of good things as well: new connections/friendships, new concern for others whom we know better, and perhaps even create better results–whether on a volleyball court or in a business as chemistry and connection does its good work among a team of people?
I suspect this is some of the work you help organizations achieve…am I right?
Thank you for sharing your personal context and insights on the value of team travel. I completely agree that travel can be a powerful tool for building relationships and fostering stronger connections among team members.
When we travel with others, we are often taken out of our comfort zones and placed in unfamiliar situations, which can create opportunities for collaboration, problem-solving, and deeper understanding. This can be particularly true in team sports, where travel can offer a chance for teammates to bond and work together in new ways.
In my work with organizations, I do emphasize the importance of building strong team connections and fostering a positive team culture. This can involve a range of strategies, from team building exercises and communication training to leadership development and diversity and inclusion initiatives. And while travel may not be a practical option for every team or organization, there are many other ways to create opportunities for connection and growth.
Thank you for your thoughtful comments, and I hope your daughter’s injury heals quickly and she is able to find new ways to contribute to her team during their upcoming trip.
I have also found that traveling offers tremendous opportunities for inspiration. Getting to know people in other cultures, trying new foods, learning bits of a new language, and engaging in a new culture stretches me and opens my awareness to new ideas and perspectives. I remember in our conversations while in South Africa, you were headed to Egypt or had come from Egypt to Capetown. What other traveling adventures have inspired your creativity?
I completely agree that travel can be a powerful source of inspiration, offering opportunities to expand our perspectives, try new things, and connect with people from different backgrounds and cultures. In my own travels, I have found inspiration in many different forms.
For example, during my trip to Egypt, I was struck by the ancient history and rich cultural traditions of the region. The vibrant colors and intricate designs of the textiles and pottery, the detailed hieroglyphics and artwork adorning the temples and tombs, and the awe-inspiring scale of the pyramids and other monuments all sparked my creativity and imagination.
This experience has influenced my own creative work, whether through the use of colour and pattern in my design projects or the exploration of different cultural themes and motifs in my writing.
I loved how you helped your worship team look into this way of stealing your favorite artist, but developing it into something that is your own. In church I know when a worship team has done the work to find the flow and connection to the sermon and when they are just performing their favorite songs….funnily enough they could be the same play list! I liked how this got me thinking on Kleons work. Invitation of the Holy Spirit, intention and collaboration of everyone involved in worship is such important work. It takes the “I” out of it and invites God into it. I am not one who likes a touchy feely type of worship, I don’t like feeling like I’m supposed to feel something the worship leader is telling me I’m supposed to be feeling…ugh, anyway, this Segways into travel for me because when we were at the worship service in Capetown, I was what I like to call and back row Baptist, I wanted to observe, not participate in service and next thing I know 3 of us were persuaded to move to front row! That was a gift, I was not just observing, not even just participating in it, but was a part of it because when those women came to front to dance it hit me deep in the core because I consider dancing to be my spiritual practice. Absolutely moving for me and yet didn’t understand what was being said. Travel does deepen our artistry. If you could travel anywhere and do the kind of vacation you’d like, sleep in, coffee, people watch lunch, coffee and then family dinner….where would you do that in a way that feeds your soul but brings about a deepening?
Thank you for your reply to my post. I have been pretty intentional about using the travel advances to tack on some other travel I normally wouldn’t do. For example, last year I visited both Cairo, Egypt and Frankfurt, Germany on our trip to South Africa. However, I don’t know if I am “fed” more in those experiences than I am in my ultimate vacation that I described above.
This year I’m going to travel with my son to Belgium, France and then a couple of days in London before heading to our advance. I’ll see how it goes.
As a “LOVER” of travel (put me on a plane anywhere anytime and I’m living my best life now) this post encouraged me, but challenged me also.
Kleon talks about “being boring” and taking care of yourself. I can push 1000MPH 24/7 but sleeping in, having a late coffee with a friend, people watching, and having another late coffee with another friend would, I’m sure, be good for my soul and health.
As I explore the world for creativity, I also need to slow down and integrate those things I’ve discovered. Thanks for the reminder, and the challenge!
Hey brother, I’m glad to hear that this post resonated with you as a lover of travel! It sounds like you have a lot of energy and enthusiasm for exploring new places and experiences.
Kleon’s idea of “being boring” is really about finding ways to recharge and take care of yourself, so that you can continue to be creative and productive in the long-term. It’s not always easy to prioritize rest and relaxation, especially when you’re in a new and exciting place, but it’s an important part of the creative process.
By taking the time to slow down and integrate the things you’ve discovered while traveling, you can deepen your understanding of yourself and the world around you. So, I encourage you to continue exploring and discovering new things, but also to make time for rest, relaxation, and self-care along the way!