Are you one that believes that creativity can be learned? I am among that group. Always on the lookout for awesome examples of the topics I write about. And always trying to keep an open mind. Today I will share the best example of learning creativity I have ever seen.
A mind is like a parachute. It doesn’t work if it is not open.
– Frank Zappa
This is the example of Paul Smith and his typewriter art. And note that Paul is not any ordinary learner of creativity or art for that matter. You see, Paul has suffered from cerebral palsy for most of his life. Quite crippling for Paul. Here is an inspiring video that tells the story of Paul and his creativity. It is only 4 minutes and well worth your time.
What did you think of the video? Paul Smith and his creativity are awesome, aren’t they? Demonstrates that contrary to what most people believe, creativity is not limited to a specific segment of the population. It can be taught, nurtured, and enhanced. It is not genetically limited to the gifted ones of the population. Creativity is not a talent most people are born with. It is more like an action drive. Do you think Paul Smith has an action drive? I certainly do.
So what are the skills you need to acquire and/or develop to improve your creativity? Consider these useful habits for your skill development:
Develop curiosity and imagination
We are big believers in curiosity and imagination. They contribute heavily to creative minds. We’re first curious about something, and it’s that curiosity that drives us to create. Try to think of inventors who created something without first being curious or imaginative. Difficult isn’t it?
There was a study done recently wherein jazz musicians’ brains were monitored while they were improvising during gigs. Long, boring, tedious, academic story short — these musicians’ brains had essentially learned to “turn off” that little thing in there that tells you that this won’t work or will fail. So without that stopping them, their imagination thrived, and you’ve heard many of the amazing results.
Observing
Carefully watch things around you to help gain insights into, and ideas for, new ways of doing things. Pay particular attention to areas outside your natural areas of interest. That worked for Paul, who gained his insights from his own efforts.
You’re as creative as anyone
I’ve heard people tell me, “I’m just not that creative.” I don’t believe it. Paul Smith didn’t believe it either. You are creative and ingenious and resourceful and brilliant. Creativity doesn’t have to be defined by the bounds of art or literature. Your creativity can reveal itself in so many different ways: parenting, relationships, wardrobe, problem-solving, ideas, shoelaces, or cooking as examples.
Everyone is capable of creativity. Paul shows us that, doesn’t he?
Embrace constraints
Though it might seem counterintuitive, constraints can help you be even more creative. Embrace these constraints, whichever way they come—constraints on your time, your resources, and your energy. Even your physical abilities, like Paul Smith.
Often you can rekindle your creativity by adding constraints to your problem space. Have you ever been successful in trying this technique? If you’ve got 20 minutes to be creative, it might be all the time you need. Who knows what you will fall in love with, so be persistent.
Trying and failing is better than never trying at all
What holds you back from creating something?
For many of us, it’s fear. Fear that something might not be good enough, unique enough, or novel enough.
Overcoming this fear is a huge and important step. Start here: It’s okay to fail. In fact, it can be helpful to create something silly, strange, ugly, or useless because you’ve taken the step that so many people never do. You’ve created.
Others will be better and that’s ok
I sometimes get the urge to stop and drop everything when I see someone doing something I love better than I can do it. Turns out, it’s not best to always try to be the best.
Have you heard the phrase, “If you’re the smartest person in the room, then you’re in the wrong room”? I think this can hold true for the authors you read, the musicians you admire, and the creatives you follow. Set up shop in a room where you will be motivated to achieve great things and grow your creativity.
Create without thinking
This is maybe my favorite lesson on creativity. Create the things that delight you, entertain you, and motivate you. Whatever you create let it be something you love. Create something that you enjoy, not something you’re under contract to make or something you think others would find pretty cool.
For one, you may lose the motivation to finish it if things don’t go your way. But more importantly, there’s power in creating from a place of love and enjoyment. Your finished product will absolutely reflect the joy and happiness you put into it.
Spend daily downtime daydreaming
Creative types know that daydreaming is anything but a waste of their time. While structured routines are important for the actual process of creating, our minds need downtime filled with the freedom to wander.
Neuroscientists have found that daydreaming involves the same brain processes associated with imagination and creative thinking. According to psychologist Rebecca L. McMillan, who recently co-authored a research paper titled Ode To Positive Constructive Daydreaming, daydreaming can aid in the “creative incubation” of ideas and solutions to complex problems.
The bottom line
Don’t fall prey to the myth that only some people are creative and you’re people are not of the chosen few. We are all creative; it’s just a matter of figuring out in what way, very much like Paul Smith. So find things you’re curious about and are interesting to you, use your imagination a little, stay motivated and work at it, and surround yourself with others who are doing the same.
There are people in nearly every career field who make each day a work of art simply by the way they have mastered their craft. In other words, almost everyone is an artist in some way. The important thing is to not let your self-judgment keep you from doing your thing and sharing your creative gift with the world.
Mike Schoultz is the founder of Digital Spark Marketing, a digital marketing and customer service agency. With 40 years of business experience, he blogs on topics that relate to improving the performance of a business. Find him on G+, Twitter, and LinkedIn.