The Who
Who is creative? Everyone is.
Really.
The common image of a creative person is an artist, or performer, someone who designs or makes something, or is good at having ideas. These are creative activities, but creativity is manifested is so many other ways.
You’re creative if you’re funny, good at making things better or leading others, or if you sometimes envision a different future. You can practice creative attitudes in any endeavor. Creativity is alive in so many ways that we may not recognize as creativity, in ourselves and in others. So we sell ourselves short if we say, “I’m just not creative.”
As children, we start out intuitively creative. For reasons still being studied, some of us retain that intuitive creativity, nurturing it, practicing it, integrating it. For others, creative thinking is eclipsed by experience - learning the “right” way to do things – and other forces in our society and culture that supplant creativity.
While the forces may seem to be stacked against creativity, there is hope. Much of what’s been learned about creativity can help people practice what’s called “deliberate creativity” - consciously engaging in learned attitudes, processes and actions that enable creative outcomes. While creative thinking skills may atrophy, they can be revived by practicing deliberate creativity.
Creativity is a way of thinking. So think of yourself differently.
Don’t ask, “How creative am I?”
Instead, ask, “How am I creative?”
Who is creative? Everyone is.
Really.
The common image of a creative person is an artist, or performer, someone who designs or makes something, or is good at having ideas. These are creative activities, but creativity is manifested is so many other ways.
You’re creative if you’re funny, good at making things better or leading others, or if you sometimes envision a different future. You can practice creative attitudes in any endeavor. Creativity is alive in so many ways that we may not recognize as creativity, in ourselves and in others. So we sell ourselves short if we say, “I’m just not creative.”
As children, we start out intuitively creative. For reasons still being studied, some of us retain that intuitive creativity, nurturing it, practicing it, integrating it. For others, creative thinking is eclipsed by experience - learning the “right” way to do things – and other forces in our society and culture that supplant creativity.
While the forces may seem to be stacked against creativity, there is hope. Much of what’s been learned about creativity can help people practice what’s called “deliberate creativity” - consciously engaging in learned attitudes, processes and actions that enable creative outcomes. While creative thinking skills may atrophy, they can be revived by practicing deliberate creativity.
Creativity is a way of thinking. So think of yourself differently.
Don’t ask, “How creative am I?”
Instead, ask, “How am I creative?”