S01E02 | My Guiding Compass: “De creatiespiraal”

On a bright Friday morning during the COVID period, not far from home, I found myself in the Flevopark, Amsterdam, where the sun broke through after a refreshing rain shower. My plan for the day? A coaching session with the insightful Tom Elffers , where we'd delve into my personal growth and purpose in life. Little did I know that this meeting would introduce me to something truly extraordinary - the creation spiral.

Now, I have to admit, when Tom whipped out his notepad and started sketching, I was a bit skeptical. "What on earth is this gonna do for me?" I wondered. But oh boy, was I in for a surprise! Tom, being the wise soul he is, encouraged me to read the accompanying booklet, promising there's more to it than meets the eye. And you know what? He was right.

As I started reading, the pages seemed to come alive with curiosity and excitement. Maybe I'd judged too soon, and the creation spiral was exactly what my adventurous soul needed. It felt like each line I read was tailor-made for me, like a perfectly fitted suit of insights. I couldn't help but underline nearly every sentence - it was like the book was speaking my language, revealing my own beliefs about the essence of creation. The creation spiral is like a breath of fresh air, complete and coherent, with practical wisdom sprinkled throughout. And here's the kicker - it's no mystical mumbo-jumbo; it's a down-to-earth guide to making your deepest desires come true. The best part? The book is written with humor and charm, setting it apart from those pompous self-help and management books.

Allow me to introduce the genius behind the curtain - the late Marinus Knoope. This visionary Dutch physicist, idealist, writer, and speaker uncovered the secrets of the creation spiral back in 1989 and self-published a pocket-sized wonder in 1999. Since then, it's been selling quite well in the Netherlands, with over 140,000 copies flying off the shelves.

Picture this - Knoope’s creation spiral dances in tune with nature and the seasons. Like a synchronized symphony, winter sparks new wishes, spring leads us on a voyage of exploration, summer calls us to pour our hearts into the work, and autumn invites us to bask in the fruitful harvest and reflect inwards. A clockwork of twelve steps that breathe life into our dreams:

1. Wish: Imagine your heart's desires in vivid detail.
2. Imagine: Picture yourself there, like you've already achieved it.
3. Believe: Add depth to the vision until it's etched in your soul.
4. Express: Once you truly believe, shout your wish to the world!
5. Investigate: Uncover who and what you need to make it real.
6. Plan: Set your course and chart the path ahead.
7. Decide: Make the choice to leap, knowing it's your dream.
8. Act: Now it's showtime! Put your plans into motion.
9. Persist: Persevere through thick and thin, with unwavering determination.
10. Receive: When success arrives, embrace and celebrate it.
11. Appreciate: Take a moment to savor the helpers and victories.
12. Relax: Finally, pause, take a breath, and bask in the glow of your creation.

Knoope's wisdom shares similarities with Gestalt psychology and NLP, which are currently gaining popularity among those seeking spiritual growth. However, the creation spiral brings an entire roadmap to manifestation, adding depth and richness to the journey of turning dreams into reality. It's not just wishful thinking that paves the way for love, happiness, and the fulfillment of dreams; it's a process of thorough steps that lead to true manifestation.

Now, let's acknowledge the challenges that many aspiring entrepreneurs and dreamers face. They desire to create new value but often encounter obstacles early on their path to progress. One common hurdle is getting caught up in the search for the perfect idea. Little do they realize that creation is a diligent journey with sequential steps. Sometimes they see their final vision as the starting point and find themselves at an impasse. But remember, Rome wasn't built in a day, and even the greatest achievements had humble beginnings that evolved into something extraordinary!

Important to note is that Knoope doesn't speak about a wish you want to fulfill but a wish that lives within you. He opens his book with a quote from Goethe: "Desire is the presentiment of our inner abilities, and the forerunner of our ultimate accomplishments." Just like an apple tree will never produce pears, you can't choose your wishes. You simply have them. You might force yourself to work on a wish that isn't truly yours, but it becomes exceedingly difficult later in the creation process to persevere in overcoming the setbacks that will inevitably come your way. The key is to start by doing what comes to mind without overthinking it, let go of control, carefully observe and enjoy the journey.  

And here I stand, ready to embark on a brand new creation spiral journey as my previous one has come to a close. A decade ago, the entrepreneurial bug bit me, and I followed my instincts without a concrete plan. Together with Jesse van der Meulen and several key business partners ( Leonard Bukenya , Jos Werner , Rogier van Genugten , Boudewijn Siliakus , Tjebbel Maris ) and great teams we built incredible ventures, and unconsciously, we went through the 12 steps of the creation spiral. As I face the crossroads of my next entrepreneurial adventure, the fire in my belly roars again, urging me to dive into the magic of creation dancing through the 12 steps of the creation spiral. 

So, join me on this thrilling ride! As mentioned in my earlier blog S01E01, I'll be sharing how I apply the creation spiral to my new entrepreneurial adventure. I'm eager to hear your thoughts! What do you think of the creation spiral? Were you familiar with it? Does it resonate with you, and if so, how do you apply it in your life? And, if you have other delightful experiences or reading recommendations to help me uncover my deepest desires, spill the beans - I'm all ears! It might not only serve me well, but also others in search of their next big thing.

To be continued…