Today we’d like to introduce you to Patti Dobrowolski.
Hi Patti, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Many years ago, I went to New York City to take acting classes. Like many artists, I would sometimes do street theater to make a little spare change. One day, I was sharing my spoils with a friend when he asked me if I would ever perform on Broadway, “Me?” I replied with a laugh, “I’m a performance artist. I would only perform Off-Broadway.”
Later, his question haunted me, and I began to wonder what it would feel like to perform on Broadway. I let myself fantasize about walking through the stage door into the dressing room with my name on the door. I imagined myself getting ready and waiting behind the thick red velvet curtain for the house lights to dim.
I told myself to snap out of it, but the lingering sensations of my Broadway fantasy stuck with me when I returned home to Seattle where my career as a performance artist had sunk to an all-time low.
Through a sequence of amazing events, within the year that dream came to be my new reality — a successful performer doing what I loved on Broadway. Since that day I have been studying and testing the power of using inner and outer visuals to help individuals, teams, and organizations around the world create an inner and outer focus to achieve their dreams.
I went back to school to get a master’s in psychology with an emphasis in drama therapy. I wanted to help people make change, so I was invited to work with businesses helping them achieve high performance. In a meeting, I saw a person go to the wall and start to draw what we were talking about. I thought, “Wow this is it!” and though I couldn’t draw, I took the time to learn how and subsequently built it into every aspect of my consulting business.
When I started as that untrained illustrator 30 years ago, graphic recording was done by only a dozen people in the world. I have since illustrated for some of the most powerful people in the world, including big companies like Microsoft, Nike, Starbucks, Amazon, and for amazing individuals including Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama. I am humbled and honored to have played a part in developing and training 100s of graphic recorders around the world.
While I still perform, I have pivoted my performance to keynote speaking, where I can reach a larger audience and have a greater impact. I am grateful to be a 3x TEDx speaker including Draw Your Future, TEDxRainier, Imagination Changes Everything, TEDxSacramento, and Creative Genius YOU, TEDx Bend.
In my 30 years of working around the world with entrepreneurs, non-profits, governments, and big businesses, I’ve always drawn a picture. Those drawings are a powerful memory that chronicle their journey and help team members feel seen and heard — inspiring and motivating them to step confidently into their greatness.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In the early days, I would have to pitch why the company should have a visual of their vision and strategy. I would go into a session and the leader would be there, I would draw a piece of their vision for them as they told me their story. Afterwards they would say things like, “Yeah, but I don’t know, that’s a lot of money for a picture.” But they always asked to keep what I had drawn! LOL.
Eventually, the use of visuals to help us remember and focus became an innovative practice. Today, it’s rare to meet someone who hasn’t been in a meeting where a live illustrator has been present.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Today I am most known for my process called “Draw Your Future” which is a simple visual goal-setting process that has been used by millions of people around the world. The TEDx talk I gave with this title has been viewed over 6 million times.
It is helpful to do when you are stuck and feel like you need to make a change. If you grab a piece of paper, put your name and the date at the top and then on the left side draw a picture using words and images of where you are now and on the right side draw and write to describe where you want to be 1-3 years from today you get a clear picture of what needs to change. Then you close the gap by putting three arrows in the middle and write on them the three boldest things you can do to close the gap.
This gives you an action plan to move forward with. The amazing thing about the this process is how it affects your brain, especially if you can’t draw. (Which most of us can’t!). Drawing imprints your memory (hippocampus) with the images and when you add feeling to images by imagining them happening, you tap your reticular activating system which will help you stay focused on your goals.
I have been partnering with different states to train their educators, re-employment teams, and business consultants in using the process so they can help people get motivated anywhere and anytime.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
The amazing thing is that people realize how much more influence and impact they can have on their future self by using their imagination. This next month I have a new book coming out Creative Genius You: The Equation that Makes YOU Great! that talks about how to access and utilize the innate processes we use to problem solve to help take charge of your life and get farther faster.
The field of visual thinking is expansive, and AI will help us create a virtual reality that students and adults looking to try something new can use to literally “step into” that new reality. I can’t wait!
Pricing:
- Creative Genius You book – $44.99 Deluxe Color Edition, $21.99 Black and White, $8.95 – eversion
Contact Info:
- Website: www.upyourcreativegenius.com
- Instagram: @upyourcreativegenius
- Facebook: @upyourcreativegenius
- Youtube: @pattidobrowolski
- Other: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/up-your-creative-genius/id1588266548?i=1000563196978
