In 1987, George Harrison returned to recording after a five-year gap between albums. During that time, he had devoted himself to family life, gardening, and pursuits beyond the music business. His collaboration with Jeff Lynne of Electric Light Orchestra sparked renewed creative energy. The resulting album, Cloud Nine, became a celebration of musical renewal, collaboration, and rediscovering the joy of creating. With contributions from former Beatles bandmate Ringo Starr, Elton John, and Eric Clapton, Cloud Nine was both a critical and commercial success. The album produced George’s final number one hit during his lifetime, a spirited cover of the R&B classic “Got My Mind Set on You.” Another memorable hit, “When We Was Fab,” offered an affectionate and nostalgic look at his Beatles years.
Cloud Nine holds a special place in my heart because it was the very first compact disc I ever owned. It was a Christmas present, and I still have that cherished, well-played CD. The album marked my introduction to the digital music era, and I remember enjoying every moment of that listening experience. I still love the album today. There was something wonderful about hearing George sound so renewed, refreshed, and relaxed. His creative resurgence eventually led to the formation of the Traveling Wilburys and a tour of Japan with Eric Clapton. George had rediscovered his musical groove, and what a glorious groove it was!
Lately, I have been thinking about Cloud Nine as I continue my daily rhythm of blogging, recording companion reels, and working toward completing my next book, Leadership Riffs. The daily discipline of writing has helped me regain momentum with my book. Each day brings another opportunity to create, reflect, and share something meaningful. This established rhythm has awakened a renewed sense of courage and purpose within me. I am discovering that creativity is not always about producing something extraordinary. Sometimes, it is simply about showing up, continuing the work, and finding joy in the process.
Perhaps there is something dormant in your own creative journey. It might be an unfinished book, an abandoned project, or an idea waiting patiently for your attention. Taking one small step toward that work requires courage, especially when doubts and imagined criticism begin to crowd our thinking. We cannot always predict where our creative efforts will land or whom they might reach. We can, however, believe that our work has meaning and deserves an opportunity to find its audience.
Returning to unfinished work does not mean returning to who we once were. We bring new experiences, perspectives, and ideas to the creative process. Leadership requires this same spirit of renewal. George Harrison’s collaborations remind me of the importance of finding trusted bandmates who encourage us, challenge us, and help bring our ideas to life. Those kindred spirits can make all the difference when we are rediscovering our creative confidence.
Sometimes the work we do today prepares us to finish the work we started yesterday. I am finding that truth in my daily practice of writing, creating, and returning to Leadership Riffs. Each blog post and reel is helping me rediscover the rhythm that sustains my larger creative dreams. Like George Harrison on Cloud Nine, I am learning that returning to meaningful work is not about starting over. It is about moving forward with renewed purpose, fresh energy, and the courage to keep creating.
Check out today’s reel for more:
