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Strategy + Creativity + Innovation + Technology

Dasanj Aberdeen

Dasanj Aberdeen

Creativity-infused business prowess

Posts Tagged with Inspiration

Published May 29, 2022

Dr. Philip Syng Physick: Physician + Lecturer + Inventor

I took a recent tour that provided an overview of Dr. Philip Syng Physick’s life (1768 -1837) and his mansion, an example of the Federal Style of American Architecture.

Dr. Physick studied at the University of Pennsylvania, was known in his lifetime as the Father of American Surgery, and trained many surgeons as a Lecturer at Penn. He was responsible for the design of a number of surgical instruments and operative techniques and innovatively treating dislocations and fractures.

💡Why was I intrigued by his story?

Although he was very close to his grandfather and wanted to follow in his footsteps as a silversmith, his father Edmund Physick insisted he pursue a medical career, consistent with the family’s societal status at the time.

Can you relate to this? So many times you’re passionate about a field but society, family etc. dictate what the “right,” and often singular, path is for you.

I was happy to see that ultimately Dr. Physick tapped into his interest in silversmithing by inventing medical products and brought his multiple interests together in his contributions.

These are some of Dr. Physick’s Product and Other Contributions:

✅️ Invented the tonsil guillotine and needle forceps
✅️ Pioneered the use of the stomach pump
✅️ The first to use animal ligatures as sutures in surgery
✅️ Performed the first successful human blood transfusion
✅️ The first to practice capillary puncture of the head for hydrocephalus
✅️ Believed that dental conditions could affect the overall personal health
✅️ Treated depressed skull fractures by attempting to elevate the bone
✅️ Introduced cataract surgery to America
✅️ Used autopsy as a regular means of observation and discovery
✅️ Introduced artificial carbonated water to America for the relief of gastric disorders
✅️ Offered the first Health Insurance in America. For $20 a year, he would take care of an entire family’s medical needs
✅️ Contributed a modern referral system
✅️ Contributed the use of medical students as clinical clerks

💡What’s the takeaway?

Humans are dynamic beings with many interests, skills, talents and experiences. Lean into the things you enjoy and look for ways to bring them forward. Seek opportunities to combine them to solve a customer’s problem. Innovation usually happens at the intersection of different fields.

My love of experiential learning and research led me to this post. I took a self-guided walking tour, then I took a focused 40-minute docent-led Physick tour, performed additional research including here, wrote this and pressed Post!

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Dasanj Aberdeen
Dasanj Aberdeen

Dasanj Aberdeen is an entrepreneurial spirit who embodies the combination of left-brain logic and right-brain creativity. She is a consultant and proponent of multidisciplinary education, approaches and pursuits. She writes about their benefits in modern times and integrating multiple interests into a sustainable and fulfilling lifestyle. She’s a graduate of The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University with a concentration in Technology & Innovation Management, jointly delivered by the Fox School of Business and College of Engineering.

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Published January 10, 2022

3 Tips for Creating Your Vision Board

Have you ever created a vision board?

If not, it isn’t too late!

65% of people are visual learners, according to the Social Science Research Network (SSRN).

As you outline your goals, SEEING them can help you achieve them.

My vision board reminds me to create value, challenge the status quo to improve my innovation practice and focus on digital transformation to improve customer experience for the future. I also have to get back in the game with my workout routine because it went sideways last year!

Here are 3 tips for creating your vision board:

Make it Visual.
Create a physical or digital vision board that you can SEE daily for inspiration.

Create a Plan.
A plan helps you bridge the gap between goals and results.

Track your Plan.
Track your progress and be open to pivots. There are many ways to get from A to Z.

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What do you have on your vision board? Or if you have yet to create one, what will you include? I’d love to hear below!

Dasanj Aberdeen
Dasanj Aberdeen

Dasanj Aberdeen is an entrepreneurial spirit who embodies the combination of left-brain logic and right-brain creativity. She is a consultant and proponent of multidisciplinary education, approaches and pursuits. She writes about their benefits in modern times and integrating multiple interests into a sustainable and fulfilling lifestyle. She’s a graduate of The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University with a concentration in Technology & Innovation Management, jointly delivered by the Fox School of Business and College of Engineering.

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Published April 7, 2018

The Art of War and the War of Art

The universe has been guiding me to books I should read so I’ve been paying attention and picking them up. 

Last year, a friend recommended that I read the The War of Art in light of my creative interests and pursuits and my challenges with prioritizing them.

Months went by and the only action I took was putting the book in my Amazon cart as a reminder. Then one night this year, I was placing an order for headphones and decided to look up The War of Art again.  It was on sale so that was a win! As I read the book’s description, this line caught my eye:

A succinct, engaging, and practical guide for succeeding in any creative sphere, The War of Art is nothing less than Sun-Tzu for the soul.

I felt like I needed to dig into Sun-Tzu’s The Art of War first to appreciate this comparison. It was another book that came to my attention frequently.  And I had purchased a copy of it a while back so it was time to finally read it. It was a quick and timeless read.  The book has been attributed to a military general from the late 6th century BC known as “Master Sun” (Sunzi or Sun Tzu). It remains one of the most influential strategy text in East Asian warfare and has influenced Western thinking with lessons applicable to war, business, law and life. 

Once I finished, I jumped into The War of Art.  The timing of the book felt right with everything going on in my life. The book’s description reads as follows:

A succinct, engaging, and practical guide for succeeding in any creative sphere, The War of Art is nothing less than Sun-Tzu for the soul.

What keeps so many of us from doing what we long to do?

Why is there a naysayer within? How can we avoid the roadblocks of any creative endeavor-be it starting up a dream business venture, writing a novel, or painting a masterpiece?

Bestselling novelist Steven Pressfield identifies the enemy that every one of us must face, outlines a battle plan to conquer this internal foe, then pinpoints just how to achieve the greatest success.

The War of Art emphasizes the resolve needed to recognize and overcome the obstacles of ambition and then effectively shows how to reach the highest level of creative discipline.

Think of it as tough love . . . for yourself.

Whether an artist, writer or business person, this simple, personal, and no-nonsense book will inspire you to seize the potential of your life.

The book didn’t disappoint.  As a creative, I’ve felt the resistance described in the book. However, I hadn’t defined it or given it much thought on my own. I didn’t realize I needed the author’s help in defining that resistance, understanding it and finding a way to move past it. One key message was the need to do one’s work. Nothing substitutes for doing the work. The takeaway for me clear; for everything I want achieve, I have to prioritize doing the work. We all have to do the work if want to realize a goal.

Another description of The War of Art notes:

Dubbing itself a cross between Sun-Tzu’s Art of War and Julie Cameron’s The Artist’s Way…

Interestingly, The Artist’s Way was recommended to me.  It was also mentioned in the book One Person / Multiple Careers by Marci Alboher which I read previously. So I got the hint! The universe was at work, yet again. I plan to read this one sometime soon!

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How about you? Have you had any books pop up repeatedly to the point that you felt compelled to read them? Have any books resonated with you about pursuing creative endeavors? If so, how did they inspire you?  I’d love to hear your perspective below!

 

Dasanj Aberdeen
Dasanj Aberdeen

Dasanj Aberdeen is an entrepreneurial spirit who embodies the combination of left-brain logic and right-brain creativity. She is a consultant and proponent of multidisciplinary education, approaches and pursuits. She writes about their benefits in modern times and integrating multiple interests into a sustainable and fulfilling lifestyle. She’s a graduate of The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University with a concentration in Technology & Innovation Management, jointly delivered by the Fox School of Business and College of Engineering.

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Published March 11, 2018

Multipotentialite Musings: Inspiration from “Alone in the Wilderness”

My Multipotentialite Musings lead me down rabbit holes sometimes, and I love every second of it!

One night, I came across a documentary on PBS. I missed the beginning but from the sales pitches dispersed throughout, I realized they were attempting to sell DVD copies of the documentary being showed. I was captivated by the content and dropped everything to stay up watching.  The scenes were of a man going about his day in the Alaskan wilderness. This included him building a cabin, looking for food, canoeing down a nearby lake, and enjoying nature. Each scene was personalized with narration from his first-person perspective.

The story was moving – innocent, pure, and simple. The man was a skillful craftsman, and I was amazed watching him use the resources available to him, create his own utensils and make the most of each day. I was intrigued by the filming and narration and wanted to know if he coordinated everything himself.

Once the documentary ended, I did some research. I also put the 2-part DVD of Alone in the Wilderness on hold at my local library. The library description read:

To live in a pristine land unchanged by man…to roam a wilderness through which few other humans have passed…to choose an idyllic site, cut trees and build a log cabin…to be a self-sufficient craftsman, making what is needed from materials available…to be not at odds with the world but content with one’s own thoughts and company.

Thousands have had such dreams, but Richard Proenneke lived them. He found a place, built a cabin, and stayed to become part of the country.

I went to the library to pick up the DVDs once they were ready.  Coincidentally, the person at the check-out desk realized another woman had just taken them off the Hold shelves to send them back since the library only keeps items on Hold for a certain period. I had arrived just in time! I took that as a sign that I needed to see this documentary and it was meant to be!

I watched the first DVD from the beginning which helped me put the missing pieces together.  The narrated introduction from Dick’s perspective helped set the scene:

It was good to be back in the wilderness again where everything seemed apeace. I was alone, just me and the animals. It was a great feeling – free once more to plan and do as I please. Beyond was all around me. My dream was a dream no longer. I suppose I was here because this was something I had to do, not just dream about it, but do it. I suppose, too, I was here to test myself. Not that I had never done it before but this time it was to be a more thorough one lasting examination. What was I capable of that I didn’t know yet? Could I truly enjoy my own company for an entire year? And was I equal to everything this wild land could throw at me? I had seen its moods in late spring, summer and early fall but what about the winter? Would I love the isolation then? With its bone-stabbing cold? Its ghostly silence? At age 51, I intended to find out.

Another narrator continued:

It was in the late spring of 1968 that Dick Proenneke decided to live civilization behind to live in a pristine land yet unchanged by man and to roam a wilderness through which few other humans have passed while carving out a new life in this remote valley known as Twin Lakes. Dick would not only keep daily journals but would film his Alaskan odyssey with the help of tripod-mounted camera.

Once again, I gave the documentary my full attention. I was impressed by Dick’s foresight to film, take pictures and maintain a journal given the logistics in his time. In the second DVD, the many rolls of film, diligently labeled to make it all happen, were featured.  I had a lot of questions about his process.  Since the narration matched the scenes so perfectly, how did he coordinate it all? Did he film and then write in his journal about the day’s events? Was the narration drafted to match the scenes? Or was the narrator reading Dick’s actual journal entries? The narration was peaceful and calming, matching the scenes of the Alaskan wilderness perfectly.

I was fascinated throughout. I loved watching Dick cut the wood to make them fit together for his cabin, make all his utensils, repurpose his tins, create sleds to transport food and other things, assemble the pieces of his elevated food storage on the ground prior to carrying them up a ladder for the final build, carry a huge log on his back with a strap he designed to make it easier, watch the animals for hours while respecting their space and without bothering them, climb into a bear hole, make biscuits in his tin pan, place his “souvenirs” on his mantel and make do with what he had.

I was drawn to his simplicity, freedom, the beauty of his experience, his closeness to nature, and his creativity. His dry humor made me chuckle.  In a story about his friend, he said his friend had a good memory but it wasn’t very long!  I wish I could have been there with him – to walk around, explore this vast, quiet space, make things, truly take in the majestic surrounds, have time at my disposal… I was inspired seeing possibilities become real through his journey.

Dick seemed to have “busy” days… Busy in the sense that he had things to do, but unlike the traditional sense of busy, these were meaningful things that he intentionally lined up for himself. He had the discipline to follow through on his plan for the day, but had the leisure to switch things up if he wanted. That flexibility is beautiful. His purposeful days were simple and calm. Dick was comfortable, in his element and doing his thing.

I was mesmerized watching Dick complete his projects – what a beautiful human experience to be part of someone doing things they love! I feel like nature has all the answers – inside us and around us in the outdoors.  Dick tried to use what was available to him as much as possible so I was amused when he was hard on himself for using polyurethane on the cabin roof, but he admitted it would keep the roof from leaking. I love how elaborate his meals were; he didn’t have to compromise just because he’s out in the wild. He still had bread and a good stew with lots of seasoning! I was so happy for him when he said he was proud of finishing the storage cabin and the camera panned out for a view of the two cabins he built. What a satisfying accomplishment!

There were so many positive reminds in this documentary! First, you don’t need a lot to have it all. And if you’re good with that, that’s all that matters. Also, our creativity and ability as humans is limitless! In Dick’s own words:

It is always a pleasure to see what you can make instead of buying it ready-made.

This document is relevant to everything, all of life. How we live, how we view what’s possible, how we challenge the status quo, how we define our own path and pursue our dreams, how we prioritize what’s important…  It made me feel happy, calm, peaceful, appreciative, attentive, creative, hopeful, connected, alive, inspired, moved… It also reminded me of Vincent van Gogh, especially his relationship with his brother. Dick and his brother also had a close relationship and wrote letters to each other throughout their life! Van Gogh also loved nature, paid attention to all the details and absorbed as much of it as he could. He also left us with his “studies” of nature.

I think this documentary can shed light on each of our purpose and the meaning of life. I’m so glad Dick documented his journey so others could enjoy it and learn from it.  What a blessing it is to be inspired to do things differently, do more, be more mindful, and live in a more meaningful way!

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How about you? Have you heard about Dick Proenneke? Have you seen the documentary or read the book? If so, did it inspire you?  What other bodies of work have inspired you to live a meaningful and purposeful life? I’d love to hear your perspective below!

Dasanj Aberdeen
Dasanj Aberdeen

Dasanj Aberdeen is an entrepreneurial spirit who embodies the combination of left-brain logic and right-brain creativity. She is a consultant and proponent of multidisciplinary education, approaches and pursuits. She writes about their benefits in modern times and integrating multiple interests into a sustainable and fulfilling lifestyle. She’s a graduate of The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University with a concentration in Technology & Innovation Management, jointly delivered by the Fox School of Business and College of Engineering.

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