The Power of Combining
“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.” - Albert Einstein
Want to know a terrific way to create something unique and memorable?
Use the power of combining.
What is the power of combining? It’s pretty much what it sounds like. You take two or more disperate elements and combine them to make something fresh and new.
For example:
This blog uses of the power of combining. I wanted a blog where I could combine my passion for art, personal improvement, and bookstore cafes. I also used this method to create my book, Cape Cod Invasion!, which combines Cape Cod scenes with flying saucers, spoofing summer tourism.
The TV show Lost is an example of powerful combining. Lost has countless influences; The Twilight Zone, Star Wars, maybe even Gilligan’s Island and a zany 70’s serial called Danger Island). J.J. Abrams combined his influences, consciously or unconsciously, to make Lost one of the most original TV shows ever.
Other examples of powerful combining?
The recent movie Cloverfield (another J.J. Abrams production) used the same hand-held camera technique that made Blair Witch Project so frightening and combined it with Japanese monster movies. Screenplays pitched in Hollywood use the power of combining (“Cloverfield is Blair Witch meets Godzilla.”).
Steve Jobs used the power of combining to create the iPhone, did he not? (phone, internet, camera, calendar, alarm clock, maid service, etc.)
So, how can you harness this power to create something no one has ever seen before?
Here’s an exercise:
Make lists of your favorite things in life; your top five hobbies, passions, TV shows, movies, books, and places.
What would happen if you combined some of them?
What new creations could you bring to life?
Perhaps a character for your story who likes to garden by day and solve mysteries at night?
Maybe a series of paintings devoted to baked goods? (Every cookie or muffin painted lavender, your favorite color.)
Maybe a business combining your love of cats and crafts?
Maybe a new, memorable way to brand yourself? (Joe Shmoe: Rockstar Accountant!)
The possibilities are endless.
The power of combining is definitely a great method for creating original ideas, but it’s more than that - it’s a clever way to spend your days doing everything you love.
Have you ever consciously used the power of combining to create something new? Leave a comment!
Hi Mark,
You do see a lot of combining in recipes too…..chocolate and peanut butter, chocolate and coffee, cheese and pasta, etc…. Makes me wonder if Starbucks used this technique too.
I’ve never thought of combining unrelated favorite things to create something new, but I like this assignment. I’m excited to see what I come up with.
Thank you for the inspiration!
I combined what I’m good at, teaching, with wanting more freedom and less state testing hassel, and my creativity and I am now in the process of creating new business developing science assemblies to present to schools! It’s the best of evrything!
@Barbara - how could I forget chocolate and peanut butter? My favorite combo!
@Laurie - welcome to the cafe! Congrats on your new venture! Sounds great…