POSITION YOURSELF

If your most exciting new Krsna conscious idea were a baseball team, what positions need to be filled?

Who can you draft to fill these positions in the next 30 days?

"Involve or engage all of the local people from the very beginning."
- Srila Prabhupada (Letter to Upendra 72-09-13.Upe)

CLARIFY YOUR VISION

Innovation often requires the support of a committed team who has rallied around a compelling vision.

What is your compelling Krsna conscious vision - and who else cares enough about it to join forces with you?

"If you can establish a strong center in Taiwan … it will be a great idea."
- Srila Prabhupada (Letter to Trivikrama 74-03-29.Tri)

DREAM YOUR TEAM

Name your Krsna conscious dream team of collaborators - people actually available to you that you haven't yet approached.

Who will you contact first?

"They seek association of like-minded devotees, and with them they dive into the ocean of the nectar of devotion."
- Srila Prabhupada (Renunciation Through Wisdom)

GO CROSS-FUNCTIONAL

What cross-functional Krsna conscious team do you need to create in order to move forward with your new idea or project?

By when will you create it?

"He (Krsna) wants variety."
- Srila Prabhupada (Lecture 720405SB.MEL)

BE A BEGINNER

What enhancement or simplification to your Krsna conscious idea would please a child?

What would a kid's version of your product or service look like?

"The playful child was an instrument in fulfilling the Lord’s will."
- Srila Prabhupada (SB 1.8.50 Purport)

PRESENT YOUR IDEA

How can you ensure that the presentation of your Krsna conscious idea to key decision-makers will be clear, compelling, and convincing?

What is the simplest thing you can do to make sure that your presentation has impact?

"Try to present the above mentioned facts before the Patrons in the session meeting, and induce them to cooperate with this movement in the Western world."
- Srila Prabhupada (Letter to Tirtha Maharaja 69-02-07.Tir)

ASK FOR HELP

What support could you use from a person with whom you work?

When are you going to ask for it?

“Work diligently and cooperatively amongst yourselves is my fervent request.”
- Srila Prabhupada (Letter to Sivananda 69-03-09.Siv)

FIND A MENTOR

Even the most brilliant innovators get stuck sometimes.

Who will you ask to coach, mentor, or support you when you are not on top of your tasks?

“One cannot be a spiritual guide unless he's not master of the senses. Therefore the spiritual guide is called svami or gosvami.”
- Srila Prabhupada (Lecture on Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Seattle, September 25, 1968)

ELIMINATE ROADBLOCKS

Whose support do you need in order to move your Krsna conscious idea through the inevitable real-world challenges?

When will you ask for it?

"I am always ready to help you in whichever way I can.”
- Srila Prabhupada (Letter to Raktaka 69-05-31.Rak)

GET FEEDBACK NOW

Who do you need feedback from?
About what?

When are you going to ask for it?

"Gargamuni should first go to countries around Iran … And his work will be evaluated, and if done nicely, then he can enter Iran also.”
- Srila Prabhupada (Conversation 770302rc.may)

CONNECT

Creativity rarely happens in a vacuum. On the contrary, it is often the product of two or more variables connecting in an extraordinary way. The Beatles, for example, were the result of a dynamic connection between John, Paul, George and Ringo. The Sony Walkman was the result of a previously unseen connection between walking and stereo. Inline skating was the result of a new connection between ice skating and roller skating. If YOU want a creative breakthrough, it’s time to start looking for new connections – uncommon linkages between THIS, THAT, AND THE OTHER THING.

Who (or what) do you need to connect with in a new way?

FIND THE FUNNY

What is humorous or different about your Krsna conscious idea?

How can you make it funnier or more different?

"Any gentleman should be a little humorous.”
- Srila Prabhupada (Letter to Kurusrestha 75-09-26.Kur)

THINK BOLD

What is the boldest idea you can think of that would triple the success of your most fascinating Krsna conscious project?

What is the underlying Krsna conscious principle beyond this bold idea - and how can you use this principle as a way to take a quantum leap forward?

"You mentioned that you are not yet a very bold preacher, but you will become bold, if you have got sincerity.”
- Srila Prabhupada (Letter to Satsvarupa 72-06-16.Sat)

GET RANDOM

Open the nearest Krsna conscious book or magazine, close your eyes and randomly point to a word.

Using this word as a trigger, freely associate and jot down at least 10 ways of improving your most compelling Krsna conscious idea.

"And you will get all ideas from our books."
- Srila Prabhupada (Conversation 710825)

TAKE SOME RISKS

What three risks are you willing to take in order to succeed with your new Krsna conscious venture?

Which of these risks will you commit to now?

"One should take all kinds of risks and perform all endeavors for Krsna’s benefit."
- Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 6

CHANGE ITS NAME

Think of an alternative name for your Krsna conscious product, service or idea - something very different than you are calling it now.

What insights does this alternate name trigger?

"Simply we have to administer this novel idea to the people in general very magnificently."
- Srila Prabhupada (Letter to Bali-mardana 70-03-26.Bal)

FAST FORWARD

Fast forward to the year 2100.

How are the people of that time benefiting form your Krsna conscious products or services?

Allen Ginsberg: Do you think more people will chant Hare Krsna or fewer?
Prabhupada: Oh, yes. More people. Now it will increase.
Allen Ginsberg: Until?
Prabhupada: Up to ten thousand years.
(Conversation, May 13 1969, Columbus, Ohio)

MAKE A WISH

Imagine that you come before a desire tree with your favourite idea and it grants you three wishes to make it come true.

What do you wish for?

"I wish that all our Krsna conscious literature may be available to men of all languages throughout the world … ."
- Srila Prabhupada (Letter to Sivananda 69-07-22.Siv)

INVENT THE FUTURE

Imagine it is five years from now and your most inspired Krsna conscious idea has become a reality.

Write - or tell - the news story describing your success.

"Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu desired that his name be spread in each and every town and village on the surface of the globe.”
- Srila Prabhupada (Cc Adi 7.23 Purport)

USE CONSTRAINT WISELY

Name the seven major elements of your most fascinating Krsna conscious idea - then eliminate three of them.

In what ways would your creation change if you developed it without these three elements?

"We try to simplify matters, plain living."
- Srila Prabhupada (Lecture 720530SB.LA)

MAKE A QUANTUM LEAP

What change or addition to your new Krsna conscious venture would catapult it into an entirely new league?

What's your next step?

"The expert devotees also can discover novel ways and means to convert the nondevotees in terms of particular time and circumstance."
- Srila Prabhupada (SB 1.5.16 P)

EXTEND

Usually when a person has a creative breakthrough, there is an element of STRETCHING involved – the effort to go beyond existing boundaries and EXTEND into an unknown future. Surfers “hand ten”. Astronauts “push the envelope”. Ski jumpers lean far out over their skis. If you want to break new ground, you too will need to stretch. You too will need to take some risks and extend yourself beyond your normal ways of thinking and doing.

What boundaries, limits, or old paradigms are you willing to change this week?

RESURRECT AN OLD IDEA

What inspired Krsna conscious idea of yours haven't you acted on because you assumed it would be difficult to pull off?

How can you resurrect this idea in the next week - or at least some aspect of it?

"We are giving old wine in new bottle. If is old, why the up-to-date Western boys are taking?”
- Srila Prabhupada (Conversation 751129.mw.del)

FIND ANOTHER WAY

What is the biggest obstacle in the way of manifesting your most inspired Krsna conscious idea?

Name three ways you can go over, around or through this obstacle?

"So many obstacles. But we do not care for these obstacles. We must push on."
- Srila Prabhupada (Lecture 741212SB.BOM)

GO BEYOND ASSUMPTIONS

What is your biggest limiting assumption about your riskiest new Krsna conscious project or idea?

What can you do to go beyond this assumption?

"So far I am concerned I always take risk for Krsna."
- Srila Prabhupada (Letter to Gargamuni 68-02-12.Gar)

WHAT IF

What if neither time nor money were an obstacle?

What clues does this give you about moving forward with your most extraordinary new Krsna conscious idea or venture?

"If you want something and you approach Krsna, you’ll find unlimited supply, unlimited supply, just like an ocean.”
- Srila Prabhupada (Lecture 681004LE.SEA)

FIND WISDOM IN THE ABSURD

Think of one really absurd enhancement to your new Krsna conscious idea - then identify at least one good thing about it that intrigues you.

What clues does this give you about proceeding differently?

“So you yourself become very convinced of this fact and be very bold in preaching Krsna consciousness there in Berlin.”
- Srila Prabhupada (Letter to Vasudeva 72-05-31.Vas)

SUSPEND LOGIC

Logic, rationality, and analysis are all essential to the future success of your project. But not at this particular moment.

In what ways can you let your intuition - and only intuition - guide you for the next few days?

"Knowledge given by Paramatma (Supersoul) from within the core of the heart is explained by the modern scientist as intuition."
- Srila Prabhupada (Lecture 760805BG.PAR)

LET GO OF PERFECTIONISM

In what way is your perfectionism causing you to procrastinate?

How can you move your favourite Krsna conscious project forward even though you think it's not totally ready?

"Every endeavour is covered by some sort of fault, just as fire is covered by smoke. Therefore one should not give up the work which is born of his nature, O son of Kunti, even if such work is full of fault."
- Bhagavad-gita 18.48

DEFER THE ROUTINE

What routine tasks can you put off this month so you have more time to work on your new Krsna conscious project?

What tasks do you need to delegate? Simplify? Eliminate?

"Simple living, high thinking and high practice. That’s the cornerstone of our philosophies."
- Srila Prabhupada (Conversation 730712r2.lon)

SEE THROUGH OTHER’S EYES

If you could change places with anyone on the planet for a single day, who would it be?

How would this person go about developing your most exciting new Krsna conscious idea or venture?

"We have to see through the eyes of a person who has perfect vision."
- Srila Prabhupada (Conversation 731218mw.la)

QUICKEN YOUR APPROACH

What would you do differently if you had to complete your most inspired Krsna conscious project in the next 30 days?

In the next week? By tommorow?

"We do not know when death will come. So this is an opportunity. "
- Srila Prabhupada (Lecture, Madhya-lila 25.29 – San Francisco, January 21 1967)

SUSPEND

People who want to create something new are typically of two minds. One is practical, logical and analytical. The other is playful, associative, and intuitive. Just like day and night, both are needed. In the formative first stages of the creative process, however, it is essential that you SUSPEND that practical, logical, and analytical part of yourself – the “inner critic”. That is, IF you want to access the realm of true originality within you.

In what ways can you suspend your need for logic, data, and practicality this month?

SNEAK UP ON IT

OK. You are busy. Overloaded. Maxed. Too much service to do.

Now, where and when can you find small amounts of time - "in the oaks" - to develop your most fascinating Krsna conscious idea?

"You must all find time to write some articles for publishing in Back to Godhead. That is culture."
- Srila Prabhupada (Letter to Yamuna 70-03-02.Yam)

SEIZE THE MOMENT

You are alone in an elevator with the most powerful venture capitalist in the world. Both of you will be getting off in 60 seconds.

What do you say to ensure that your most inspired Krsna conscious project gets funded?

"If we perform everything nicely and always seize every opportunity to preach about Krsna, that is our formula for success.”
- Srila Prabhupada (Letter to Locanananda 71-12-08.Loc)

LIVE YOUR MISSION

What is your life's mission?

In what way is your current, most compelling Krsna conscious project or idea aligned with this mission?

"Our mission is very big. The best welfare work."
- Srila Prabhupada (Lecture 731025BG.BOM)

MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS

Name three ways you get distracted from the Krsna conscious project you claim is most important to you.

How can you minimize these distractions in the next 30 days?

"So I’m glad that in spite of all difficulties you are trying to ... But do it nicely. Plain living, high thinking, that is required."
- Srila Prabhupada (Lecture Srimad Bhagavatam 7.6.10, New Vrindavana, June 26 1976)

TESTIFY

Imagine you are an evangelical preacher testifying about your hottest new project.

Now find a small "congregation" and give them the three-minute sermon about it.

"We are benedicting the fallen souls all over the world, so go on with your enthusiastic preaching and try to do good to others with Krsna consciousness."
- Srila Prabhupada (Letter to Harikesa 77-02-01)

SEE IT DONE

Close your eyes and imagine the results you want to achieve are already accomplished.

What do you see? What do you hear? What does it feel like?

"I am not a poor man, I am rich. There are temples and books, they are existing, they are there, but the time is separating us from them."
- Srila Prabhupada (according to Mr. Ruben, subway conductor who met Prabhupada in 1965)

BUILD A SERVICE PROPOSAL

How can you build a solid proposal to convince key decision-makers that your service idea or project merits additional support?

What is your next step?

"The service proposal is very nice and I approve of your acceptance of this job."
- Srila Prabhupada (Letter to Rayarama 67-01-30)

PILOT YOUR IDEA

What is the simplest way to pilot your new Krsna conscious idea or initiative in the next 30 days?

Whose help do you need in order to do this?

"If you have to bother, if you have to tax your brain, just do it for Krsna, for God. That is proper utilization of your time."
- Srila Prabhupada (Lecture 710728)

GET THE RIGHT QUESTION

State your current Krsna conscious challenge as a question beginning with the words "How can I?"

Then rewrite your question five different ways - or until you discover a more essential question than the one you started with.

"What is the most important thing in life?" This is the most important question.
- Srila Prabhupada (Conversation 770322)

CHANGE YOUR SPACE

What is the simplest thing you can do to make your service or home environment more conducive to breakthrough thinking?

Whose help do you need? By when?

“Atlanta was very nice place … very conducive, especially thinking and writing type of work.”
- Srila Prabhupada (Conversation 771018)

INTEND

While necessity may be the mother of invention, it is INTENTION that is the father. If you truly want to go beyond the status quo and create something extraordinary, you will need to be deeply connected to your intention – the primal purpose and commitment that moves you. It is this intention - genuinely felt - that will sustain you through the doubts, fears, and unexpected obstacles along the way.

In what way can you strengthen your intention on a daily basis?

IMMERSE

Name three ways you can immerse yourself more deeply in your most compelling Krsna conscious project.

What is the simplest way you can begin?

"If you absorb yourself in this work you will feel very blissful."
- Srila Prabhupada (Letter to Vijayadvaja 74-12-29)

COMPARE AND CONTRAST

What other products or services - similar to yours - are already on the market?

In what ways is yours better, different, or more useful?

"We don’t hate anything, material advancement. We can utilize everything for Krsna’s service."
- Srila Prabhupada (Lecture 750418.SB.VRN)

HEED FEEDBACK

What kind of feedback - verbal or non-verbal - are you getting from others about your biggest Krsna conscious challenge or idea?

What clues does this give you about proceeding?

"You just consult amongst your Godbrothers."
- Srila Prabhupada (Letter to Advaita 69-03-16)

LEARN FROM TRENDS

Name one social or economic trend influencing the Krsna conscious project you are most committed to.

What can you do to learn more about this trend in the next week?

"According to time, according to circumstances, according to the subject, everything scrutinizingly judged, not whimsically."
- Srila Prabhupada (Lecture 750720SB.SF)

MAGNETIZE IDEAS

Where or when do you get your most creative ideas?

What can you do to spend more time in these idea-sparking situations?

"And you will get all ideas from our books."
- Srila Prabhupada (Conversation 710825)

RESOLVE YOUR CONCERNS

What are your biggest concerns about your newest Krsna conscious venture?

What suggestions do you have for resolving these concerns?

"Be courageous and always chant Hare Krsna. You will be successful."
- Srila Prabhupada (Conversation 760615)

INFORM YOURSELF

What new information do you need in order to move forward with your most challenging Krsna conscious project?

How will you get this information and by when?

"You must learn from guru, from sastra … And the sastra means it is enunciated by sadhu."
- Srila Prabhupada (Lecture 721018SB.VRN)

FOLLOW YOUR INTUITION

What instinct or feeling about your most compelling Krsna conscious project do you need to take more seriously?

What is your next step?

"If you are actually sincere, the correct intuition will come."
- Srila Prabhupada (Lecture 760805BG.PAR)

SEE WHAT YOU CAN'T

Ask three trustworthy devotees to point out your biggest blind spot as a devotee.

What can you do, in the next 10 days, to shed some light on this blind spot?

"Everyone should improve himself."
- Srila Prabhupada (SB 5.26.23 P)

LEVERAGE YOUR STRENGTHS

What do you like the most about your most exciting new Krsna conscious idea or inspiration?

In what ways can you use this positive feature in Krsna's service?

"Everything is possible by the grace of the Lord."
- Srila Prabhupada (SB 3.31.18 P)

ATTEND

Creativity is free. It doesn't cost a thing. You were born with it. Still, there is one thing you will have to pay for it - and that is your ATTENION.

If you want to create or do something nice for Krsna, you will need to ATTEND to two things:

1. The subtle indicators of what's going on INSIDE you - dreams, intuitions, feelings, and ideas.

2. The not-so-subtle indicators of what's going on OUTSIDE you - trends, market shifts, feedback, and the needs of others.

What do you need to pay more attention to in order to manifest your most inspired Krsna conscious idea or project?