Fredrik Härén's Blog, page 45
November 18, 2013
All is Gone. Now all we have left is new ideas.
Last week that dream got a punch in the face in the form of super-Typhoon Yolanda.
All that we had been building over the last few years got destroyed. Our house, our two boats, our infrastructure. Everything. Even our tree-house got blown away. As our caretaker wrote in his first SMS to us when his mobile started to work again: “All is gone.” Luckily our staff is safe! But the dream that we made happen is gone. We are back to where we started: with an empty island with nothing on it. Seeing the idea of Ideas Island go from idea to realisation to over-night destruction has made me realise something: To see one of your favourite ideas come to life is one of the purest forms of happiness there is. To see one of your favourite projects be ruined is not sad. It just leaves you with a feeling of emptiness.
And from that I have drawn the conclusion that we should all think about what grand, beautiful, crazy or beautiful ideas we are carrying around with us. What is stopping us from making them happen? Is it fear? Of what? Failure? Of what will happen if it doesn’t become a success? Of what will happen if we invest all that time, money and effort into something that will never take off – or if it all gets blown away in a storm?
Well, take it from me:
The joy of giving birth to ideas is greater than the sorrow of seeing ideas die. Immensely bigger. We have nothing to fear. You have nothing to fear.
Go back and revisit those gorgeous ideas of yours and pick the one that you really would like to make happen. That one idea that the world really needs. Or the one you just think is a fun, little, cool thing that would make people smile – like our idea of Ideas Island. And then make it happen.
If it does become a success you will feel immortal . If it fails you will not die. The sun will rise again, you will move on – but at least you will feel happy that you tried. Ideas inspire us like almost nothing else in life. The word inspiration means “to breathe in” – in other words, to be inspired is “the oxygen of our mind” – it’s what’s keeps us alive.
Believe in your ideas.
Make them happen.
Tell your friends to make their ideas happen.
You will be glad you did.
Even if you one day wake up to the news that your idea was blown away in a storm.
Trust me. I know.
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November 4, 2013
News for October
October was a crazy month. In 30 days Fredrik got to see Thailand, Sweden, Denmark, USA, Australia, Taipei, Singapore, Dubai, UK, the Philippines and Malaysia.
He spoke for bankers, students, IT-professionals, Oil & Gas Experts, Accountants, consultants, teachers and many, many more.
He spoke on a beach in Phuket, in a conference place next to a castle and in a casino.
It was an amazing months – full of inspiration from – literally – around the world.
Here are some videos from the month of October:
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October 15, 2013
Fredrik Haren featured in Bangladesh media
Fredrik Haren, an author and speaker on business creativity, founder of interesting.org, shares his theories of creativity with Dhaka Tribune
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October 4, 2013
News for September
September was a month of contrasts.
Fredrik got to speak for Kommerskollegium – one of the oldest government institutions in Sweden – it’s been running since 1651!
But he also spoke for branding professionals in Bangladesh.
The contrast could not have been bigger.
He also got to speak to banking managers as well as sales people. Quite a big contrast too.
He spoke in a dark room for designers in Finland and for young students in Singapore. Also that a big difference.
All in the month of September.
The ability to speak for different professionals in different industries and from different parts of the world gives a speaker a unique ability to get a bigger picture of what is going on in the world.
Below is a short video to give a glimpse into the life of Fredrik in September.
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September 12, 2013
News for August
Looking Back
In August Fredrik was in Sweden enjoying his time on his island. But he also took the time to speak for some schools. He spoke for 2000+ students at Jōnkōping University. After the speech the client wrote “You are a Rockstar here now!”
He also spoke for the new 150 students at HyperIsland school in Stockholm. One student summarised the speech as: “It was a bloody great speech!” Finally he spoke for all the teachers at the largest private school company in Sweden. After the speech one teacher wrote “You are an amazing speaker and you truly inspire people- including me!”
To be able to inspire students – and teachers – to become more creative is one of the most rewarding parts of being a speaker. If you know of a school that would benefit from a speech from Fredrik please let me know, he would love to come and help out.
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July 26, 2013
News for July.
This month I am in the middle of a 9 week tour of all 3 Ideas Islands.
I started with a one week stay on Ideas Island 1 in the Philippines.
I then spent one week on Ideas Island 2
And I am now on a 4 week stay on Ideas Island 3 before going back to Ideas Island 2.
9 weeks on Ideas Islands: an overdose of creative inspiration and quality of life.
Spending the days getting inspired by nature, contemplating ideas in the serenity of being isolated on an island and enjoying the feeling of how life slows down.
That means 9 weeks (whereof 6 weeks in a row) of no traveling, no speaking, no clients. And a minimal of work.
Yesterday I went to the Abba Museum in Stockholm and learnt that Bjorn and Benny of Abba wrote almost all of their hits on a small island outside Stockholm. In a video Benny said: “Being on tour kills creativity.” I think he, like me, are of the opinion that traveling the world is great for inspiration that can LEAD to ideas – but the ideas will not COME unless you give yourself time to unwind, relax and slow down.
So after speaking in 23 different countries in 2012 and jetting around in the same way in 2013 I am now in a contemplation phase consisting of 9 weeks on Ideas Islands.
If you also want to experience the unique feeling of spending time on any of the Ideas Islands click on the Ideas Island link and apply for a chance to stay.
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July 2, 2013
News for June
What does baby food producers in France and logistics centres in China have in common?
How is a MBA class in Singapore connected to mobile phone developers in Taiwan?
And what does all that have to do with a japanese company committed to becoming a truly global company?
Well they where all examples of groups that I spoke for in June.
By being a global speaker on business creativity I do not only speak on creativity and global business – I also get to learn from businesses around the world, and in all kinds of industries, how they are using creativity and innovation to improve.
That is what I love with this job.
That I can stand and speak to a group of global managers from Danone on a wine yard in the south of France on day before jumping on a plane to go to the Philippines.
That I can fly in to Taipei to learn about how HTC is developing their new smart phone and the next day speak at the Global Technology Conference for clients of DHL.
Or how I can spend on day in Tokyo first speaking for a very interesting japanese company and then going out with clients and have a traditional japanese dinner.
So June was another month full of different impressions from around the world giving me inspiration and teaching me many new things.
July will be something totally different.
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June 2, 2013
News for May
May was a months with less than normal travel for Fredrik.
Yet he still managed to go to: Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Philippines and Singapore for work.
The theme of the month can be called “Learning” as many of his assignments this month was about learning in one way or another.
Like how he was the opening speaker at the first course by HyperIsland in Singapore.
Or how he was invited to speak at the European Union about the importance of play.
Or how he spoke for 600 kindergarten teachers about creativity and learning.
Or how he was invited to speak about being a global citizen at a seminar at Oslo University.
But the most fun part was probably flying to Sweden to receive the keys to our third Ideas Island and being able to kick-start the island by having a guest stay there the very first month of operation.
The guest was very happy with his stay. So lets end with his quote from the island:
“I had the opportunity to stay a few days at the ideas island #3 (Vifärnaholme) in Sweden and it was a very special and great experience. I stayed 4 days at the island to write on my new book ‘Less is beautiful’ and got a lot of inspiration and a lot of work done thanks to the island. There are not a lot of distractions from the ‘busyness world’ so I could really focus on your goal + if I got stuck, I explored the island and everytime I found a new ‘secret’ place to get inspired. Absolutely recommended if you’re looking for silence, concentration and making ideas happen.”
- Cyriel Kortleven
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May 2, 2013
News for April
In April Fredrik visited 6 countries for work:
Malaysia
Indonesia
Singapore
Philippines
China
and
Poland.
He got to speak to many diverse groups, from marketing professionals at a Marketing conference in Warsaw, to country heads for SEA for NIKE at a conference in Jakarta and for treasury clients of CITI in Singapore and many more.
He got to speak for a government body (MIDA in KL), for corporate clients (on a speech about “One World. One Company.” in China) and creatives (in Poland.)
Perhaps the most interesting assignment was to be flown in to Shanghai to be the keynote speaker as the Swedish Business Association celebrated 15 years. Fredrik did a speech at the dinner on the differences in creativity between different cultures. Having spoken on creativity in – now – 47 countries, it is safe to say that he has some experience to draw from.
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April 8, 2013
Ideas Island #3 (Svanholmen, Stockholm, Sweden)
General info about Ideas Island.
Ideas Island was created as a safe haven for creatives. A place made to inspire and motivate people with great ideas to make those ideas happen. Created to give creative people the time and space needed to sit down and focus on their ideas – while at the same time feeling great. And to let them stay on the island without having to pay us anything.
So in short: You get your own private island that you can stay on for up to two weeks and you do not pay us anything. (You only have to pledge to give US$ 1.000 to a charity of our choice.)
If you get to go you have the whole island for yourself, so you can be alone with your ideas.
Why is Fredrik Härén doing this?
Because:
1) Fredrik knows that the best ideas come when you are alone in a relaxing place, which makes private islands perfect for idea generation.
2) Fredrik feels that it is wrong to charge people to stay on the islands. He does not want to make money on your creative process.
Ideas Island is his way of giving back to the world. A way of encouraging creativity. And he is happy to take the cost of running and developing the three Ideas Islands.
If you feel the urge to get away to a private island to sit and develop some great ideas, then read the rest of the information here and feel free to apply to be one of the lucky ones that get to go.
About Ideas Island #3 (Svanholmen, Stockholm, Sweden)
Ideas Island #3 is a tiny private island of just 2 000 sqm,located very close to Stockholm, Sweden. It is perfect for a creative person who wants an island that is both secluded and yet full of energy. All the boats and ships going into Stockholm pass by the island, close enough to inspire you, but far away to keep your privacy.
The island is home to many different kind of birds, and fittingly enough – since the name of the island is “Svanholmen” – even a pair of Swans live there.
Ideas Island #3 is where Fredrik Härén spends most of his time. When he is not there you get a chance to experience this unique place.
The house.
There are a number of small houses on the island and if you add up the floor space on all of them you get more than 100 sqm. The main house is designed by Alexander Lervik and built to resemble a birds nest.
The main house is modern, while the other houses on the island are classic, Swedish summer houses painted in red. (The oldest house is from 1917.)
Since the island is tiny there is not running fresh water (only sea water), and only a dry toilet, and all the electricity comes from solar cells. (Drinking water is easily collected in a tap on land after a 3 minute rowing trip in the rowing boat.)
The view from the 40 sqm veranda on top of the main house is magical.
How to apply to stay on Ideas Island #2, Vifärnaholme, Stockholm, Sweden
Want to stay at Ideas Island #2?
Please email us at ideasisland@interesting.org.
1) write your name & email.
2) Add a short message about who you are and why you want to stay at the island
3) Tell us which week (or weeks) you would like to go and how many you will be coming.
4) Confirm that you are willing to pledge US$ 1.000 to charity.
Ideas Island – Make your ideas come true.
Please note!
Entries that doesn’t have ALL of the 4 above points answered will NOT be processed.
Please understand that since we we do this for FREE we ONLY have time and resources to handle enquries that are complete and that include all required information. If you are serious about wanting to go, then enter as much information as possible. Thank you.
If you have any questions you can contact us at ideasisland@interesting.org or call +65 96330421. (Singapore time.)
We prefer email.
ps. Watch this official Youtube video about Stockholm and at 2.07 (!) you get to see an arial view of Ideas Island #3.
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