I believe that creativity is an important part of a well-lived life. But for many people, creativity does not come naturally. This is especially true in adulthood, when people tend to stick with what's worked before, play by the rules, and become set in their ways. And it's true that some people are naturally more creative than others. But everyone is capable of creativity. Below are some characteristics that most highly creative people have. If you cultivate these same characteristics, you'll find yourself becoming more creative as well.
- retaining a childlike sense of wonder
- being intellectually honest
- being willing to question assumptions
- finding relationships between seemingly unrelated things
- tolerating ambiguity
- being willing to take risks
- seeing things differently
- paying attention to details
- liking challenges
- being passionate
I encourage you to make a point of doing something creative today (and everyday).
- retaining a childlike sense of wonder
- being intellectually honest
- being willing to question assumptions
- finding relationships between seemingly unrelated things
- tolerating ambiguity
- being willing to take risks
- seeing things differently
- paying attention to details
- liking challenges
- being passionate
I encourage you to make a point of doing something creative today (and everyday).
4 Comments:
I just went to an art exhibition where some children art was showcased. Very early art by Picasso and Klee at 9 and 4 respectively. Interestingly enough, they both had excellent drawing skills that came naturally to them, so they were able to draw from nature. However, they evolved as they grew up and instead of continuing to do the same thing, they applied unorthodox methods to present their reality in a different light, whether it was cubism or abstract/dada. Some of Klee’s later work seemed more like what a child would do, but I think it is refreshing that these artists never lost their sense of wonder. They experiment with textures, colors, techniques and the end result is a wonderful body of work that evokes memories in the viewers and hopefully some creativity too.
By aem, at 10:24 AM
That's a great example! I went back through my creativity list while thinking about Picasso and Klee, and every single characteristic on my list applied to both of them. Obviously any kind of art is a creative process, but these two guys are extreme examples of the kind of creativity I was talking about. As an aside, my post may have implied that I didn't think creativity had a genetic component, but that's not the case. I do realize that not everyone can paint like a master regardless of time and effort, and based on the exhibition you mention it sounds like Picasso and Klee had a big head start on us mere mortals. But I do believe that with effort virtually everyone is capable of substantially more creativity than what comes naturally to them.
Anyway, thanks for the post...
By howtolive.org, at 2:14 PM
I agree that developing creativity in adulthood is difficult, in large part because the adult is likely the product of an educational system that stifles creativity, perhaps unintentionally. In the interests of classroom control and teacher convenience, it too often stresses conformity, rote learning and unquestioning acceptance of the way things are done. If we are to develop a more creative society, our schools will have to begin fostering the characteristics you mention in elementary school. Perhaps the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will lead the way.
By gnt, at 10:14 PM
gnt,
I agree that our educational system stifles creativity. It's possible that the primary causes are classroom control and teacher convenience, but I suspect something more sinister. Most powerful systems benefit from encouraging conformity, because non-conformity is by definition a threat to the system. George Bernard Shaw: "The reasonable man adapts himself to the conditions that surround him... The unreasonable man adapts surrounding conditions to himself... All progress depends on the unreasonable man."
By howtolive.org, at 11:18 AM
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