Oh, the Places You’ll Go! written and illustrated by author Dr. Seuss. Published by Random House Books for Young Readers 1990.
‘Hang on to your youthful enthusiasms – you’ll be able to use them better when you’re older.’ – Seneca
When we are experiencing a dilemma in our career or creatives lives, it can be tempting to overcomplicate things – sign up for expensive courses, endlessly mull over the problem with friends or colleagues, or map out elaborate plans and fixes.
Such approaches can be helpful, but often all we need is a simple reminder or spot of inspiration.
In a recent creative slump where current projects felt stale and new ideas failed to motivate, I reached for a well-worn copy of a childhood favourite, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and found comfort for my woes.
After feasting for a week, the Very Hungry Caterpillar stayed inside for more than two weeks. ‘Then he nibbled a hole in the cocoon, pushed his way out and… he was a beautiful butterfly.’
I was reminded that periods of rest are a natural part of the creative process. What may appear to be a slump is a period of change and inspiration. We need the two weeks in the cocoon to be a butterfly.
That was all I needed to feel comforted – that simple ‘ah-ha!’ moment. I didn’t need to overthink or analyse, I just needed to sit in the cocoon and embrace the rut.
We’ve held many of these insights and answers since our childhoods, but perhaps in the complexity of adulthood and our developing careers, we had mistaken their accessibility and simplicity for inferiority.
It was empowering to return to the very wisdom I’ve known since childhood and use it to navigate various creative dilemmas as an adult.
1. When you’re experiencing fear and resistance: We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
When striving to reach a goal in work or life, we begin with naïve optimism and energy:
‘We’re going on a bear hunt
We’re going catch a big one
What a beautiful day!
We’re not scared.’
But we will enviably encounter challenges along the way – in the case of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, long wavy grass, a deep cold river, thick oozy mud, a big dark forest, a swirling, whirly snowstorm, a narrow gloomy cave. While it’s tempting to figure out shortcuts or cheats, we can’t avoid challenges. Instead we have to persevere and go through obstacles.
‘We can’t go over
We can’t go under it
Oh no! We go to go through it.’
Often the only antidote to being afraid of the work is doing the work you’re afraid of. Putting it off or procrastinating only makes it more difficult – you have to go through it.
In the story, once the family reach the bear, they flee. This is a reminder that the most rewarding aspect of creative work is the process of facing challenges head on, problem solving, making progress, and learning from mistakes – not the goal itself.
2. When you’re over protective of your creative ideas: The Rainbow Fish
In the story of The Rainbow Fish, the most beautiful fish had sparkling silver scales. Other fish were amazed at his beauty and named him Rainbow Fish and call out him to play, but he would just glide past proud and silent letting his scales shimmer
One day a little blue fish followed him and asked for one of the shiny scales.
‘Who do you think you are? Get away form me.’
The blue fish was upset and told all his friends and no one would have anything to do with the Rainbow Fish.
When we have an idea or start a project, it can be tempting to keep it ourselves for fear of being copied. But often. sharing multiplies creativity – there is room for everyone to have their special something.
After all, ‘What good were the dazzling shimmering scales with no one to admire them? Now he was the loneliest fish in the ocean.’
The Rainbow Fish initially resisted the advice to give a glittering scale to each of the other fish, a reminder of how status can cloud our view.
‘You will no longer be the most beautiful fish in the sea, but you will discover how to be happy.’
‘Never, how could I ever be happy without them?’ replied the Rainbow Fish.
Eventually he did give away his scales and found connection.
3. When you’re dealing with creative block: There’s a Tiger in the Garden
When dealing with a creative block, There’s a Tiger in the Garden reminds us to keep hold of your imagination.
Nora exclaims she is bored, and her grandmother tells her there is a tiger in the garden. Sceptical, Nora and her miniature pet giraffe explore the garden, encountering a grumpy polar bear and other creatures, but no tiger.
‘If you believe in me then maybe I’ll be real,’ whispers the tiger.
In all art practices and careers, we have to believe and trust in ourselves and the vision – or we will become distracted along the way.
The only way to push through a block is to trust the process and begin.
‘Whenever you want I’ll be here,’ says the tiger, reminding us that we have access to creativity at any time, we just have to follow it.
4. When you’re worried about your career or future: Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
The collected works of Dr. Seuss are filled with creative lessons on how what we think becomes our reality, advising us to be curious and never stop learning.
The most poignant of all is, arguably, Oh, the Places You’ll Go, which traces the career trajectory and creative process with uncanny relevance.
It’s filled with reminders to dream big and follow your ambitions, ‘Except when you don’t. Because, sometimes, you won’t,’ as well as reminders that life isn’t always a straight-forward trajectory.
There are also pick-me-ups for building resilience in the face of failure, as well as acknowledgment that slumps are are part of the creative process
‘And when you’re in a Slump,
you’re not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself
is not easily done.’
It can be difficult to navigate choices in our career.
‘You’ll get mixed up, of course,
as you already know. You’ll get mixed up
with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life’s
a Great Balancing Act.’
But even when you’re in a creative slump or facing a career dilemma, re-reading Dr Seuss can provide that little push and remind us we can succeed – we sometimes just have to get out of our own way and begin.
‘So…
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O’Shea,
You’re off the Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!’
