Cultivating Creativity

It is an obsession.

I become so pre-occupied when I am creating that I lose large tracks of time. Whether I am writing, crafting, cooking, or planting a garden, I know I am conceiving something tangible that will have a benefit to my life.

While I create, I can reach a Zen like state that opens me to even more creative ideas. It is my own person supply source of the inspiration drug I crave. I am addicted.

For as long as I can remember I have had a creative outlook on life. It is in my genetic make up, as much a part of me as my brown eyes. It is a personality trait that I have developed over my life time. Some would say it is a gift. I would say that the only gift, is that I was predisposed to develop that skill over the infinite list of other traits that are inside every human.

Creativity is in all of us. It is part of every humans genetic DNA. With out it we would not be able to solve problems, learn new skills, or have a personality different from anyone else for that matter.

Every time you make a choice that is different from what you would normally choose, you are using creativity to decide. In his book, Human Motivation, Robert E. Franken defines creativity as, ” the tendency to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems, communicating with others, or entertaining ourselves or others”.

If you hear a voice within you say, “you cannot paint”, then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.

Vincent Willem van Gogh

I get frustrated when someone says to me, “I don’t have a creative bone in my body”, because what I really hear them saying is, “I wish I could do what you can do”, which actually requires that they master a skill or technique. Once they master that skill or technique and only then, if they are unable to generate an alternate spin on it by using their own imagination to make it uniquely different, even if it is just a little different, will I accept that claim.

There are some basic characteristic that most highly creative types tend to possess. What I find interesting about this list is that if you strive to get the most out of life, then you can not help but be creative.

Creative people are:

• adventurous, they are not afraid to experience new things.
• confident, they know what they like and what they don’t like.
• enthusiastic, they jump in with both feet.
• not afraid to take action to get things done and they are not afraid to fail either.
• people who pay attention. They live in the moment and are present.
• people who have developed excellent concentration skills.
• people who see things that others don’t. They have a good eye for details.
• sensitive to surrounding beauty and aren’t afraid to show their appreciation.
• people who don’t take no for an answer. Always looking for another way.
• people who like to put things together and are always looking for ways to improve the process.
• people who have faith that they are creative people. It never occurs to them that they are not creative.

Notice how the above list could describe a person who has a positive outlook, eager to embrace life and not blocked by fear.

If you have read even one self help book, you may recognize a similar message. In order to achieve your dreams, be the best person you can be, become a leader in your field, meet new people, find love, or any other personal goal, your best bet is to first cultivate your creativity.

Tips to help develop your creativity

• Keep an open mind. Next time you come across a problem discard you default reaction to it. By choosing to consider another option you will have to use a little creativity to come up with a solution.
• Say yes to invitations. Not only could you meet some new people you may also expose yourself to new outlooks on life that can fuel your creative juices.
• Read something different. Knowledge is always cause for creativity.
• Be curious. If something sparks your interest, follow that thread to the end and see what new pattern is formed.
• Step outside your box and do something out of your character. It doesn’t have to be huge, maybe chose a different hair colour or change up your personal wardrobe style. Notice how people react to the new you. You may just gain some personal creative insight.
• Learn a new skill. Try something that compliments something else that you enjoy doing. If you like to cook, learn how to grow herbs, if you write poems, take a calligraphy class,  if you like to fish, learn how to tie flies. Not only will you have learned a new skill but you just may find a new appreciation for the a old skill.

Creativity is part of your inner child. She must be constantly fed with adventures, new sights, new smells, a rainbow of colours, and diverse thoughts, but most of all, like a child, creativity needs to be allowed to play, and then you will see your life blossom as well.

When was the last time you let your creativity out to play? Leave a comment and share your last creative adventure.