We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shiren Rattigan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Shiren , thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
One of the greatest challenges we face as creatives is the constant expectation to be in a state of creativity at all times. However, it is important for us to recognize that we need to quiet the self-saboteur and our ego in order to make room for other aspects of our lives. It is unrealistic to believe that we will always be in a creative mindset, and it is crucial for our well-being to find balance. When I find myself not feeling creative, I have learned to embrace and focus on other areas of my life that contribute to my overall sense of fulfillment. This means allowing myself to step away from the creative process and engage in activities that make me feel more complete. These activities could involve spending quality time with my family, tending to the administrative tasks of my business, or pursuing other interests that bring me joy.
By understanding and trusting this natural ebb and flow of creativity, I give myself permission to take breaks and have downtime. I recognize that these periods of rest and rejuvenation are an integral part of the creative process. They allow me to recharge and gain new perspectives, ultimately enhancing my ability to produce meaningful and inspired work when I return to the creative stage.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
As a mother, wife, daughter, and the founder of Colossal Academy, I was driven by the belief that there had to be a better educational approach for children, one that respected their individual voices and provided them with practical skills. Personally, as a student, I struggled to understand the purpose of traditional schooling. Being dyslexic, I found it challenging to learn within the conventional setting, as it did not align with my preferred learning style, nor did it offer real-world applications for the materials being taught. There was a disconnect between academia and the practicalities of life.
As an educator, I realized that I was perpetuating a false narrative by repeating the notion that the purpose of schooling was solely to go to college, secure a good job, and live a happy life. I knew deep down that this was not the complete truth, and I felt compelled to make a change.
This is where Colossal Academy came into existence. Our mission is to make education relevant by equipping students with practical skills that can be applied in real-life scenarios. Through our entrepreneurship project, students have the opportunity to build their own businesses, earn money, and engage in meaningful learning and creation. We aim to provide the next generation with a valuable gift—the acquisition of tangible skills that are directly relevant to their lives and that truly prepare them for success beyond school
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
One of the qualities that has had a profound impact on my life is my unwavering optimism and belief that everything will ultimately be alright. This optimistic mindset allows me to adapt and respond quickly to challenges, being flexible and adaptable in the face of adversity. Furthermore, being highly dyslexic is often seen as a disadvantage, but in my personal experience, it has become my superpower. Dyslexia enables me to perceive problems from a bird’s-eye view and approach them with a unique perspective and creative problem-solving skills.
Lastly, a heightened sense of integrity is a fundamental aspect of who I am. I strive to ensure that everything I contribute to the world is of the highest quality and aligns with my strong ethical principles. It is important to me that I consistently offer my best self and uphold the values that I hold dear.
How would you describe your ideal client?
The ideal family and student are individuals who possess a profound understanding of the potential for change to the education system and who actively seek to be a part of that transformation. These families not only recognize the outdated nature of the current educational model but also demonstrate a strong desire to collaborate with me as we work together to construct a better system. This new system places a central focus on amplifying children’s voices, emphasizing the importance of relevance and joy in learning.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.colossal-academy.com
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