A great find! I was perusing my local library’s management section…and was intrigued by this book.  This simple book is a great hack for folks looking to break out of a rut or push for questions when stuck.

Roger Von Oech captures 30 creative insights of Greek philosopher Heraclitus- a Delphic oracle from 500 BC. (a contemporary of Confucius and Lao-tzu) in Expect the Unexpected (Or you won’t find it). 

Here are 10 insights that caught my interest as an insights seeker and builder.  Roger Von Oech did a great job in “modernizing” these principles.  I took further liberty in my interpretations!

1. The cosmos speaks in patterns. Let’s find it-connect the dots, find the patterns in your answers.
2. Expect the unexpected, or you won’t find it– Let your assumptions fail.  Be open to new answers.
3. Everything flows.- Epitomizes current belief, that change is constant. To ponder -how can one  get energized, despite perturbations, by maintaining continuous flow of action?
4. You can’t step into the same river twice.- Love this one! Points to the ever evolving landscape influenced by our external factors, and quick shifts. Be nimble, and always learning.
5. A wonderful harmony is created when we join together the seemingly unconnected. – Metaphors have always been great hacks to inspire artists and scientists…how can we get inspired?
6. Lovers of wisdom must open their minds to many things– Says it all! Be Curious-always!
7. Knowing many things doesn’t teach insight. – Ties well with the above insight, on the value of knowing what is important, and, applying them appropriately brings out the shine and glow of insights.
8. On a circle, an endpoint can also be a beginning point. One of my mentors always guided me to reframe and relook at new viewpoints to bring clarity to thinking and build new understanding. So true!
9. Dogs bark at what they don’t understand. –  This is important to let creativity flow without bias, and to muzzle one’s own negative thinking and criticism.  Ensure flow of thinking, and harness the power of patterns, new ideas, and creativity.
10. Extra! Your character is your destiny  One of Heraclitus’s famous quote on charting your own path, and setting goals to reach. Heart this!