Hello fellow Creatives!.
Have you ever found yourself gazing at a masterpiece, listening to a captivating melody, or admiring an ingenious invention, and thought, "Wow, I could never do that. I'm just not creative"?
If so, you're not alone. Many of us carry around certain beliefs about creativity that might actually be holding us back from tapping into our own incredible potential. We often see creativity as this quality reserved for a select few. But what if I told you that many of these ideas are simply myths?
This week, let's explore and debunk some of these myths about creativity and discover the extraordinary potentials that truly lies within each of us. Get ready to rethink what it means to be a creative person!
This is perhaps the biggest myth of all! We often picture creative people who are blessed with this special gift from birth and these people are destined for artistic greatness. But the truth is, creativity isn't a fixed trait; it's a skill. And like any skill, whether it's learning to cook, ride a bike, or play an instrument, it can be developed, nurtured, and strengthened over time.
Think about it, no one is born knowing how to paint a portrait or compose a symphony. They learn, they practice, they experiment, they fail, and they try again. As human beings we are incredibly adaptable, our minds are capable of forming novel connections and thinking in unique ways throughout our lives.
So, if you've ever felt like you missed out on the creativity gift, that’s not true! You haven't. You simply haven't yet discovered the unique ways your creative muscles are waiting to be flexed.
"Oh, I would love to be a child again, and have boundless imagination!"You must have heard this or said it yourself. We often believe that children are inherently more creative, uninhibited by the rules and pressures of adulthood. While it's true that children often express creativity freely but that doesn't mean adults lose it or it fades away as we age.
Adult creativity simply has a different form. As we age, we gather knowledge, experience, and critical thinking skills. This allows us to engage in big-C creativity, this is part of the 4C Model of Creativity by James Kaufman. This is the kind of creativity that leads to significant innovations, complex problem-solving, and groundbreaking ideas.
We might not finger paint with the same roughness and experimentation, but we can solve intricate problems at work and in life, create brilliant solutions for our communities and organizations we work with, or even find new ways to connect with loved ones and even coming up with an original desert recipe to prepare. Our creativity evolves, becoming more refined, intentional, and often, more impactful.
Don't underestimate the power of your accumulated wisdom rather use it to aid your creative outputs.
When you hear the word "creativity," do you immediately picture painters, musicians, writers, or sculptors? It's a common association, but it severely limits our understanding of what creativity truly is.
Creativity isn't just about producing art; it's about problem-solving, innovating, and thinking differently in any domain.
A chef who invents a new dish, an engineer who designs a more efficient bridge, a teacher who come up with new ways to increase student engagement, a parent who finds a clever way to keep their kids entertained, or even someone who organizes their pantry in a surprisingly efficient way, all of these are acts of creativity, because in each of these scenarios, you are solving a challenge.
Every profession, every hobby, and every aspect of daily life offers opportunities to be creative. If you're solving a problem, thinking of ways of doing things differently or challenging the status quo to bring about an improvement, you're being creative, regardless of your title or artistic talent.
We've all seen this in the movies, a genius sitting idle, suddenly enlightened by a brilliant "aha!" moment, often in the shower or just before bed. While those moments of sudden insight do happen, they are usually the result of a dish being cooked up in your brain and getting served at the right time when its hot.
True creativity is rarely just a flash of inspiration. It's often the result of preparation, incubation, hard work, perseverance, and iteration.
It involves gathering information, exploring different angles, taking breaks to let ideas simmer in your subconscious, and then diligently refining those ideas. That "eureka" moment is often simply your brain making a connection between information being consumed for a while.
To explore your creativity, embrace the messy, iterative process, not just the magical outcome.
The image of the "tortured artist" with a messy studio, living in creative chaos, is another persistent myth. While some individuals thrive in less structured environments, chaos is not a prerequisite for creativity.
In fact, for many, a certain level of structure, routine, and discipline can actually foster creativity by providing a stable foundation and reducing mental clutter. I personally feel more creative when I am fully organized. I live my life on a calendar and scheduling my focused creative hours, has been very beneficial for me in my creative journey.
Clear space can lead to a clear mind, allowing ideas to flow more freely. Having a dedicated time and a system for capturing ideas, even simple notes, can feel incredibly free.
Creativity can flourish within routines, within organized thought, and within a clear process. Find what works for you, whether it's a neat desk, having some objects of inspiration in your room or having a specific time to practise your creativity. Whatever it may be, you don’t need to have a messy and chaotic process for your creativity to shine.
As adults, we have a unique advantage which is a lifetime of experiences, knowledge, and perspectives that can fuel our creative endeavours.
Don't let old myths limit your potential. YOU ARE CREATIVE! You just need to recognize it, nurture it, accept it and give yourself permission to explore it.
So this week, I encourage you to look for the creative moments in your everyday life:
I'd love to hear your thoughts on these myths and how you're embracing your own unique creativity. Just hit reply and share your insights!
Until next time, keep exploring, keep playing, and keep creating!