By Erin Engstrom

Feeling recharged after the recent holidays, I arrived at my desk feeling excited and inspired for 2013 both personally and professionally.  One of my New Year’s resolutions is to set aside 30-60 minutes every morning for creative projects and innovative thinking. The amount of self-discipline required to not peek in my email box is amazing and I confess that I had to block time in my calendar each morning to ensure that it gets done. It is proving to be more challenging than dieting!

One thing that inspires me year round is working with our amazing presenters for BC HRMA’s annual conference, such as our 2013 closing speaker Sir Ken Robinson.

Robinson is recognized as the world leader in the development of innovation, education and creativity.  My 12-year-old son first introduced me to Robinson’s infamous YouTube video ‘Do schools kill creativity?’ in 2007.  Since then, it is estimated that 200 million people in more than 150 countries have viewed that thought-provoking TED talk. In addition to education, Robinson works with governments, Fortune 500 companies, international agencies and leading cultural organizations in a wide spectrum of topics concerning innovation and creative economics.

Robinson’s presentation topic for BC HRMA conference attendees is The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything”.  He explores diversity of intelligence, the power of imagination and creativity, and the importance of commitment to our own capabilities:

“The element is the point at which natural talent meets personal passion. When people arrive at the element, they feel most themselves and most inspired and achieve at their highest levels.”

You won’t want to miss him on May 2, 2012!

What is your plan to foster creative thinking and find your passion in 2013?

Erin Engstrom is the conference and events manager at BC HRMA. When Erin isn’t working, she can be found cooking for friends at an impromptu kitchen party or racing her kids between the pool, rink and pitch. Erin never stops—but that’s because she’s afraid that she would be too tired to jump back into the race of her wonderfully chaotic life. e.engstrom@bchrma.org.