Not born with creativity? …Nonsense!

What does creativity really mean? Does it mean you can paint, draw, or write? Do you come up with solutions to problems in unique ways? Are you great at planning kid’s parties that are the envy of other parents?

The dictionary definition of “creativity” is part of the problem with a limited view of being creative: "the use of the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work."

Let’s look at a broader definition. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (Dr. C), the author of the book Creativity: The Psychology of Discovery and Invention, offers this definition: “Creativity is a central source of meaning in our lives … most of the things that are interesting, important, and human are the results of creativity… [and] when we are involved in it, we feel that we are living more fully than during the rest of life.” Dr. C explains the concept of “flow” in the creative process. When we are in the flow, we are no longer connected to real time. To what is happening around us. We are connected to our acts of creation.

Have you ever experienced being in the flow?

If you think you missed out of the creativity gene, you are mistaken. It is never too late to learn to become more creative. If creativity is a skill, you can develop this skill through practice.

Mozart was a genius. But did you know that he spent hours and hours practicing from the young age of three? Malcolm Gladwell, in his book Outliers, suggests that 10,000 hours of practice are needed to develop expert skills. I bet Mozart exceeded the 10,000 hours as he became a musical genius. I bet some of those hours included being in the “flow.”

So, creativity is waiting for you. A skill you can develop. A skill that will enable you to “live more fully.” But you must work for it.

Here are some links with tips about how you can become more creative. You can start with just one hour…and before you know it, you have nurtured your latent creative gene into full grown creativity.

8 Tips for People Who Want to Become More Creative

https://www.makeuseof.com/tips-to-be-more-creative/#:~:text=%208%20Tips%20for%20People%20Who%20Want%20to,shortly%2C%20try%20restarting%20your%20device.%20Videos...%20More%20

25 Ways to Be More Creative

https://www.inc.com/christina-desmarais/25-ways-to-be-more-creative.html

10 Tips to Become More Creative

https://wildflowersandwanderlust.com/become-more-creative/

Let me know how you are building the skills of creativity. Share some ways of learning to become more creative.