Stephanie Slack
Time and time again people tell me they don’t have a creative bone in their body. (Technically that is true, bones make up our skeletal system not our creativity, duh.)
In all actuality we have a narrow definition of creativity; it’s not simply the ability to dance, write catchy jingles or discover the theory of relativity. We employ creativity throughout the day in all the decisions that we make.
So I’ve come up with 5 reasons why you’re a certified creative genius and just don’t know it yet.
1. “Creativity is intelligence having fun.” ~Albert Einstein
Remember when you were able to fix that leaky faucet with a piece of thread and paperclip, total MacGyver-style. Believe it or not that is creativity in all its glory.
Being creative doesn’t only pertain to those in the arts, it can happen in any field. Whether you’re a doctor, taxi driver, chef or stay-at-home-mom your job requires you to be resourceful and conjure up novel ideas on a daily basis.
2. “Creativity is connecting things.” ~Steve Jobs
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to knowingly think outside the box in order to be classified as creative. In fact most creative a-ha moments occur out of necessity…
It’s the detour you figured out when you’re commute to work was interrupted by a road closure. Or the folded up coaster you shimmied under a wobbly table at your favorite cafe.
The real creative magic happens when you are able to unify different experiences or ideas and incorporate them into some awesome nonlinear solutions.
3. “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” ~Maya Angelou
Creativity knows no boundaries, the juices are always flowing, it’s just up to us to allow them to freely do so!
When you were a child your imagination was your greatest toy. At some point we all convinced ourselves that we’d grow up to be an astronaut, race car driver or a pitcher for the Red Sox. We didn’t care what others thought of those dreams or aspirations, kid-you completely and totally believed in themselves.
Somehow along the way adult-you forgot about that creativity and imaginative spirit. Or you began to believe that you lost your creative spark. Don’t fall into the lie that you’re just not creative, it’s simply NOT TRUE!
Remember, a little faith in yourself will go a long way, just ask kid-you.
4. “An essential aspect of creativity is not being afraid to fail.” ~Edwin Land
Let’s pretend for a moment that you MUST come up with $ 25,000 by the end of the month. You’d probably laugh and scoff at me because that seems ridiculously impossible. Not so much if you look at the situation this way…
If your life or that of someone you love, depended upon getting that much money in a short time you’d stop at nothing until you reached that goal, right? You’d reach out to family and friends, have a yard sale, deliver pizzas, anything to make some extra cash. Your creativity would be in overdrive because failure is not an option.
5. “Creativity is as important as literacy.” ~Ken Robinson
I love this quote because it’s straight and to the point. Every single human being on earth is creative in their own diverse and distinct way. It’s a special gift we all possess and yet not everyone appreciates fully. A world without creativity would most certainly be a very mundane, boring world. So harness your creative skills… read, learn, experience all that you can. I mean, by reading this post alone don’t you already feel more creative?!
I’m lucky enough to be in a profession where I can live and breathe creativity and I chose to write this post because the idea of creativity comes up in conversation with my clients EVERYDAY! Many have totally convinced themselves that they are lacking in that department. My hope is that everyone will realize the richness and vastness of their creative capacities and have confidence in that knowledge. But there are days where I don’t feel so inspired and doubt my creative genius. Know that we all go through that phase, and it’s ok!
Next time you start think you’re not creative I ask you to remember this post and then repeat after me: I AM A CREATIVE GENIUS!
Time for show and tell… How have you been creative today? No matter how big or small, I know you’ve done something so share it in the comments below!
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