In today's fast-paced world, many of us find ourselves constantly busy, overwhelmed, and struggling to keep up. We're surrounded by distractions, juggling multiple responsibilities, and often feeling like there's never enough time in the day. But what if the key to success and fulfillment isn't about doing more, but about creating space in our lives?
This is the central premise of Derek Draper's book "Create Space." Draper argues that in order to thrive in our personal and professional lives, we need to intentionally create space for reflection, growth, connection, and productivity. By doing so, we can unlock our full potential and lead more balanced, purposeful lives.
Introduction: The Need for Space in a Crowded World
Draper begins by highlighting a unique moment in human history: for the first time, we need to create space rather than fill it. For thousands of generations, humans have been explorers, constantly pushing boundaries and occupying new territories. But now, many of us feel overcrowded and overscheduled, craving relief from the constant demands on our time and attention.
This realization, coupled with the understanding that leaders must create space for their own growth and development, inspired Draper to write "Create Space." The book is organized around four key domains where we need to create space: thinking, connecting, doing, and being. Within each of these domains, Draper explores ways to develop skills in reflection, self-awareness, relationships, and productivity.
The Power of Reflection
One of the fundamental ideas in "Create Space" is the importance of reflection. Draper argues that self-awareness is crucial for success in any field, whether you're an artist, a corporate executive, or an administrative assistant. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses allows you to make better decisions, avoid potential problems, and create more effective plans.
The key to developing self-awareness is reflection, which Draper describes as "having a meaningful conversation with oneself." This practice has been championed by great thinkers throughout history, from Confucius to Socrates, for its intellectual benefits. But reflection also offers practical advantages, such as improved decision-making and fewer mistakes.
To engage in deep, meaningful reflection, Draper suggests we need four types of space:
- Temporal space (time)
- Physical space (location)
- Relational space (someone to bounce ideas off)
- Psychic space (openness to improvement and new information)
Creating this space for reflection can be challenging. A Harvard University study found that CEOs typically have less than 15% of their workweek available for solitary work. If leaders struggle to make time for reflection, it's likely even more difficult for others in the workforce.
Even when we do find the space to reflect, it's not always easy. We must shut out numerous distractions and be willing to confront potentially unpleasant realizations about ourselves or our behavior. However, the benefits of increased self-awareness make this effort worthwhile.
Draper cites a study of UK commuters that found those who used their commute home to deliberately reflect on their day were happier and more productive than those who didn't. This underscores the tangible benefits of making space for reflection in our daily lives.
Learning and Overcoming Fears
Creating space for learning goes hand in hand with reflection. Draper emphasizes the importance of adopting a growth mindset, which sees the brain as capable of continuous learning and development. This is supported by neuroscientific research showing that our brains are "soft-wired" and capable of neuroplasticity – constantly changing based on the input we provide.
Understanding this can help us overcome fears, particularly the fear of failure. Draper shares the story of Rachel, a client who worked for a global snack company. Rachel's deep-seated fear of failure led to catastrophic thinking, where she believed any small mistake could lead to disaster. Through reflection and learning, Rachel discovered that her fear stemmed from her mother's experience with unemployment and homelessness. Over time, she learned to think differently and recognize that asking for help isn't a sign of failure.
To create space for learning, we must make time, find suitable locations, and seek out helpful resources like mentors. This effort is crucial for personal growth and overcoming limiting beliefs.
Connecting with Emotions and Core Beliefs
The second domain Draper explores is creating space to connect, both with ourselves and others. He emphasizes the importance of understanding our emotions and what he calls "core pathogenic beliefs" (CPBs).
To connect with ourselves, Draper suggests regularly checking in with our emotions and physical sensations. One technique he recommends is the "feeling and number check-in":
- Sit comfortably and take deep breaths
- Ask yourself, "How do I feel?"
- Identify a feeling and rate its intensity on a scale of 1 to 10
- Notice physical sensations (e.g., tightness in shoulders) and rate them
- If overwhelmed, imagine observing your emotions from above
This practice helps develop emotional intelligence, which is crucial for controlling our emotions, maintaining relationships, and showing empathy.
Draper also introduces the concept of core pathogenic beliefs (CPBs), which are deeply held beliefs that can hold us back in our careers and lives. Examples include "I am unworthy of receiving love" or "everyone is untrustworthy, so there's no sense in being nice." Many CPBs stem from childhood experiences and require effort and space to uncover and address.
Building Strong Relationships and Teams
Creating space to connect isn't just about self-awareness; it's also about fostering strong relationships with others. Draper emphasizes the importance of creating space for sharing and relating in both personal and professional contexts.
He shares the story of a team at a global beverage company that was consistently missing targets. The team's core pathogenic belief was that they always had to be nice to work well together. As a result, problems and conflicts were left unaddressed, hindering the team's growth and performance. By creating space for open communication and transparency, the team was able to turn things around and develop a renewed sense of purpose and vitality.
To improve relationships, Draper suggests using a stakeholder map. This involves drawing yourself in the center of a piece of paper and connecting lines to all the people in your life, from family members to coworkers. Rate each relationship on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being extremely strong and deep. This visual representation can help identify which relationships need attention and improvement.
While it may seem like a lot of work to focus on relationships, Draper argues that better relationships lead to better overall well-being and improved leadership skills.
The Importance of Planning for Productivity
When it comes to creating space for doing, Draper emphasizes the critical role of planning. He illustrates this point with the story of Red Technologies, a company led by two brothers. One brother, Darren, refused to set clear goals, leaving his staff unsure of priorities and leading to chaotic, unproductive meetings.
While flexibility is important, especially for startups in rapidly changing markets, Draper argues that some level of planning is essential for success. He suggests creating both short-term and long-term plans, with regular check-ins to reassess goals and vision.
To plan effectively, Draper recommends two steps:
- Create a clear goal (what needs to be done)
- Develop a clear plan for achieving that goal (how it should be done)
He shares his own experience of planning to write "Create Space," breaking down the 120,000-word goal into monthly, weekly, and daily targets. This approach kept him focused and on track, even when he occasionally fell short or exceeded his goals.
Draper also distinguishes between being busy and being productive. Using Darren as an example, he shows how constantly putting out fires and reacting to chaos can make someone feel useful and busy, but it doesn't necessarily lead to meaningful progress or results.
Avoiding Distractions and Prioritizing Tasks
In today's world, distractions are everywhere. Draper cites studies showing that CEOs get only about 28 minutes of uninterrupted work time per day, and the average worker has an eight-second attention span. Moreover, it takes about 10 minutes to regain full concentration after an interruption.
Draper explains that distractions are not just productivity killers; they're also addictive. Receiving emails and text messages triggers the release of dopamine, a pleasure-inducing neurochemical. This is why many people, especially millennials, tend to check incoming messages almost immediately.
To combat distractions, Draper suggests:
- Hiding your phone while working
- Turning off pop-up notifications
- Using headphones or finding a quiet space to work
- Moving to a conference room or café if your usual workspace is too distracting
Prioritization is another key aspect of productivity. Draper recommends using the 4D Rule to organize tasks:
- Do: Essential, urgent tasks that only you can do
- Defer: Tasks that can't be done immediately
- Delegate: Tasks that can be done by someone else
- Drop: Non-essential tasks
He advises tackling the most difficult "Do" tasks first to avoid procrastination. Regularly reviewing deferred items is also important, as they may need to be reclassified as "Do" or "Drop" over time.
Effective Leadership and Delegation
Creating space to lead involves understanding and effectively using what Draper calls "the third space" – the space created when two people work together. He shares the story of Yulia, a newly promoted CEO who struggled with a common leadership mistake: taking over situations and providing solutions without allowing others to contribute.
Draper argues that good leaders aim to inspire and empower, guiding others to find solutions themselves rather than simply providing answers. He quotes the ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu: "A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves."
To create this empowering leadership space, Draper suggests:
- Asking questions that help others discover answers, rather than providing solutions
- Viewing delegation as an opportunity for growth and skill development
- Assigning tasks that challenge team members and align with their career goals
- Being clear about expectations for outcomes, but avoiding micromanagement of the process
By creating space for others to lead and grow, effective leaders can build stronger, more capable teams.
Reconnecting with Purpose and Finding Balance
In the final sections of the book, Draper explores the importance of creating space to "be" – to reconnect with our true purpose and find balance in our lives. He encourages readers to reflect on what they loved doing in their youth and whether they're still pursuing those passions.
Draper shares the story of Oscar, a miserable bank CIO who realized his true passion was farming. By creating space to reflect on his purpose, Oscar was able to make a dramatic career change that aligned with his values and desires.
To help readers create this space for self-discovery, Draper suggests:
- Being honest about why you're doing what you're doing
- Considering what you would do if you had only six months to live
- Challenging the assumption that work must be unpleasant or difficult
- Seeking a better work-life balance to avoid burnout
He emphasizes that work should generally feel satisfying, even if it's challenging at times. If it doesn't, you may need to reconsider your career path or find ways to improve your current situation.
Embracing Growth and Opportunity Costs
The final space Draper explores is the space to grow, which involves setting ourselves up for an ideal future. This often requires making difficult choices and being aware of opportunity costs – what we give up when we choose one path over another.
Draper illustrates this with the story of Almantas, who had to weigh the opportunity for career advancement against the challenges of relocating his family to a new country. While the transition was difficult, Almantas ultimately found success in his new role.
To create space for growth, Draper recommends:
- Being willing to accept short-term challenges for long-term gains
- Regularly scheduling "No. 1 Meetings" with yourself to check on progress and reassess goals
- Focusing on strategy, adopting a growth mindset, and improving productivity
- Allowing for mistakes and maintaining faith in your hard work
Practical Techniques for Creating Space
Throughout the book, Draper offers various practical techniques for creating space in our lives. Here are some key strategies:
Square Breathing: A relaxation technique used by yoga practitioners, Navy SEALs, and executives. Breathe in for four counts, hold for four, breathe out for four, and pause for four before starting the cycle again.
Feeling and Number Check-in: Regularly assess your emotions and physical sensations, rating their intensity to increase self-awareness.
Stakeholder Mapping: Create a visual representation of your relationships to identify areas for improvement.
The 4D Rule: Organize tasks into Do, Defer, Delegate, or Drop categories to improve prioritization.
No. 1 Meetings: Schedule regular meetings with yourself to review progress, set strategy, and focus on growth.
Conclusion: The Ongoing Journey of Creating Space
In "Create Space," Derek Draper presents a compelling argument for the importance of intentionally creating space in our lives for reflection, growth, connection, and productivity. By doing so, we can develop greater self-awareness, build stronger relationships, achieve our goals more effectively, and lead more fulfilling lives.
The book emphasizes that creating space is an ongoing process that requires effort and honesty. We must be willing to confront uncomfortable truths about ourselves, challenge our assumptions, and make difficult choices. However, the rewards of this work are significant: improved self-understanding, stronger relationships, increased productivity, and a clearer sense of purpose.
Draper's approach is holistic, recognizing that success in one area of life often depends on creating space in others. For example, creating space for reflection can lead to better decision-making in our work lives, while creating space for connection can improve our leadership skills and personal relationships.
The book also acknowledges the challenges of creating space in today's fast-paced, distraction-filled world. From the constant ping of notifications to the pressure to always be "on," there are many forces working against our efforts to create space. However, Draper provides practical strategies and techniques to help readers overcome these obstacles and carve out the necessary space for growth and success.
One of the key takeaways from "Create Space" is the importance of self-awareness and honesty. Draper encourages readers to look within, confront their core beliefs and fears, and be willing to make changes when necessary. This can be uncomfortable, but it's essential for personal and professional growth.
Another important theme is the balance between planning and flexibility. While Draper emphasizes the importance of setting clear goals and creating plans to achieve them, he also recognizes the need to adapt to changing circumstances. The key is to create a framework that provides direction while allowing for adjustments along the way.
The book also highlights the interconnectedness of different aspects of our lives. Creating space in one area often has ripple effects in others. For example, by creating space for reflection, we may gain insights that improve our relationships or productivity. By creating space for connection, we may find new opportunities for growth and learning.
Draper's approach is particularly relevant in today's work environment, where burnout and stress are common issues. By encouraging readers to create space for "being" and to reconnect with their true purpose, he offers a path to greater job satisfaction and overall well-being. This is not just about work-life balance, but about creating a life and career that aligns with our values and passions.
The concept of "opportunity costs" introduced in the book is also valuable. It reminds us that every choice we make involves trade-offs, and that sometimes we need to be willing to give up something in the short term to achieve our long-term goals. This perspective can help us make more intentional decisions about how we use our time and energy.
While "Create Space" offers many practical strategies, it's important to remember that creating space is a personal journey. What works for one person may not work for another. The key is to experiment with different techniques and find what resonates with you.
Ultimately, "Create Space" is a call to action. It challenges readers to take control of their time, attention, and energy, and to intentionally create the space needed for growth, connection, and fulfillment. In a world that often seems to demand more and more from us, this message is both timely and empowering.
By creating space in our lives, we open up possibilities for personal and professional development that might otherwise remain hidden. We become more effective leaders, more supportive colleagues and friends, and more fulfilled individuals. We learn to distinguish between being busy and being productive, between reacting to circumstances and proactively shaping our lives.
The journey of creating space is ongoing. It requires regular reflection, adjustment, and recommitment. But as Draper argues throughout the book, the rewards are well worth the effort. By creating space, we can unlock our full potential, achieve our goals, and lead more balanced, purposeful lives.
In conclusion, "Create Space" offers a fresh perspective on success and fulfillment in both personal and professional realms. It reminds us that sometimes, the key to achieving more is not to do more, but to create the space necessary for growth, reflection, and meaningful action. In a world that often feels overcrowded and overwhelming, this message of intentional space-creation is both refreshing and essential.
As we navigate the complexities of modern life, the ideas presented in "Create Space" can serve as a valuable guide. Whether we're looking to advance in our careers, improve our relationships, or simply find more satisfaction in our daily lives, creating space is a powerful tool. It allows us to step back, gain perspective, and make intentional choices about how we want to live and work.
The book encourages us to be active architects of our lives, rather than passive recipients of circumstances. By creating space for thinking, connecting, doing, and being, we can shape our experiences and outcomes in powerful ways. We can become more resilient in the face of challenges, more creative in our problem-solving, and more aligned with our true purpose.
Ultimately, "Create Space" is about more than just managing time or increasing productivity. It's about creating a life that feels meaningful, balanced, and true to who we are. It's about recognizing that in the midst of our busy lives, we have the power to create the space we need to thrive. And in doing so, we not only improve our own lives but also positively impact those around us.
As we close this summary of "Create Space," the invitation is clear: take the time to create space in your life. Reflect on your goals and values. Connect deeply with yourself and others. Approach your work with intention and focus. And above all, make room for being – for reconnecting with your true self and your deepest aspirations. In the space you create, you may just find the key to the success and fulfillment you've been seeking.