The Truth about Creativity

After reading Creative Confidence by David and Tom Kelley, I began thinking about creativity. It is my belief that many people have a skewed version of what creativity actually is. Contrary to popular belief, everyone is a creative.

Most people leave the creative work for the creatives.
Here's why you shouldn't:

1. Everyone is Creative

People

The first mistake that everyone makes is thinking that they aren't creative. The fact is that everyone is creative, but in their own way. Not everyone has the same skills, or the same way of doing things, it is this thinking that they do that holds people back. So often people believe they aren't creative, that they stop trying to be all together. The trick is to continue training the creative side of you brain, in your own way. Whatever you like to do, whatever you are interested in... Continue to innovate within those boundaries. With that, we move on to #2 of this list.

2. Train your Creative Side 

Link

After realizing that you are, in fact, creative, move on and start acting on this. The first thing you need to do, is avoid the blank page. This is one of the hardest things to get over, but it must be done. Many people are scared of looking at emptiness, and refuse to continue working. The way to jump this hurdle is to put pen to paper. The only way to get rid of a blank page is to put something on it. Once you start working, no matter how ugly it is, it gets those gears in your brain turning, and ultimately your "creative juices flowing." Once you do this, move on to #3

3. Embrace Failure 

Path

I was once told by a bright mind, that every huge success was preceded by a litany of failures. I have found this to be true. When you fail, you learn what not to do. Your learn things that do, and don't work. Your ideas continue to grow on each other, and ultimately will culminate into something beautiful. Embrace things that don't work, and don't get discouraged by them. Failure is a critical part of becoming a creative, so avoid the fear of failure, and it will breed success.

4. Practice, Practice, Practice. 

Practice

Like overstated in sports and school, "practice makes perfect," it's true. As you continue to work on you creative ability, you will get better. If you continue to draw, you will get better at drawing. It's a simple rule, but one that is not often followed. This step is simple, so I won't go on, just practice.

All in all, creativity is a skill that is able to grow. Have a growth mindset, and realize that no matter how much creative talent you were blessed with at birth, you can always become more creative. Follow the steps above. Fail, and then fail again. Ultimately you are going to come up with something beautifully creative. That's the point, and thats all you need to become a creative person.

Thanks for reading.

Bye-bye