Two parts of creativity that are mutually exclusive:
Everyone is creative
No one is obligated to care about your work
In 4th or 5th grade (power of vulnerability), we begin to hit a creativity slump. This age is when we start a comparison. Most teachers well-intentioned begin to tell us we are right or aren’t right about things. At this age, we do begin to figure out what our strengths and weaknesses are, but telling us we aren’t creative isn’t the correct way.
Everyone is creative – Everyone is creative. Let’s use the definition of creativity from creative calling: mixing items in a unique and not thought of way. You are creating something new. The problem with stifling our imagination is that we begin to believe we aren’t creative when this isn’t true. When you are cooking, you are creative. We typically associate it with Art, but it isn’t just that. When Warren buffet invests in a company, he is creative. When you established your method of investing, you are creative. When you develop your values, being creative. Business is creative.
If you being to mix in other ways of being creative daily, it will begin to flow over to other areas. You are painting; you can think more creative in your business. Think of a different method to pull in a client, etc. Steve jobs did calligraphy, which applied to design the iPod.
No one is obligated to care about your work – One thing that appears to me is that sometimes people think just because they made something means people are obligated to care. This is not true. It is a free country. You should share your work with friends and if they give feedback you can either
- Look for the areas they are correct, consider that and improve
- Dismiss the places they don’t understand, and further find the people that do understand it
You always need to look at the expertise of the person you are getting feedback “don’t just the housebuilder about the investment with gold mining.” This is something I take to live. I will listen to people’s advice in a specific area, but if they have never done it or don’t have much experience, I throw it out.
Just because you are a starving artist in New York doesn’t mean people have to pay for your work. If this is your goal, work on improving and finding the crowd that will. If the market can’t support it, you will need to find another way to fund your lifestyle.
Sharing your work is critical, but people aren’t obligated to like it if they don’t see the above.
Steps:
- It would be best if you established a daily creative practice, whether cooking, journalling, building in Minecraft, etc. When you begin to look, you will be surprised by how many innovative items you do.
- With the work you like, share it with friends and an audience. Once shared, look for the feedback and the applicable areas. Dismiss the places they don’t understand.
- What goals do you have with your area? Is it a hobby? Are you trying to make a living off of it? (be warned if you make a living on a hobby, it can lead to not enjoying the hobby).
- As you keep repeating the process of creativity, you will gain skill and start to develop your style.
We are all creative; it is just beaten out of us when we are young. Try to implement any creativity in your life. This will pay dividends in other areas of your life, make you more well rounded, and have you feel more fulfilled.