A Creature of Habit or a Creative Creature

Thomas Edison had a fail-proof procedure for selecting new hires for his Menlo Park laboratories. He invited the candidate for lunch, and then carefully watched. Did the candidate reach for the salt shaker before tasting the food? If so, the interview was over and that person was not hired.

Edison believed that a person who salted the food before tasting it was a creature of habit that was living in the past. In his highly experimental lab, Edison wanted only creative and open thinkers. He was looking for people who would be willing to experiment, to taste the food of new ideas before making a decision.

As “Women of a Certain Age,” we have the most thrilling creative task ahead of us: creating a life that we love.

And we are up to the task! We have a renewed sense of self. We are in the ascendancy of our lives. We are generally more assertive, confident, and global in our outlook. We have time and resources and we know what we like and don’t like.

So, what are you doing to make your life thrilling and worthwhile? Starting a business, developing a craft, expressing your artistic vision, providing leadership to an organization-- these are some of the endeavors that creative women are engaged in.

Or, are you wasting your precious life and experience on habits that keep you in the past?

It may not be automatically salting your food, but it could be habits like always checking your email first thing in the day, procrastinating about exercise, being stingy with purchasing the tools of your trade, or even being late for appointments or deadlines.

Other time-wasters are: computer games, long and gossipy phone conversations, endlessly cooking for pot-luck dinners. You already know what eats up your day. Hint: they are the activities that take up your time, leave you drained, and get you nowhere.

The good news is that habits can be changed. Here’s how. Examine every habit. Does it contribute to creating your new and improved life? If not, ruthlessly purge it!

You can create the life you want rather than drift through the days. You can spend your time on the causes and activities that make your heart and soul sing. You can be the salt that seasons your own life and makes a difference in the lives of others.

Decide now to invest in your future as a creative creature. Picture yourself having lunch with Mr. Edison. Not being a creature of habit, but a creative woman open to new ideas, you taste your food before reaching for the salt shaker. You’re hired!