More Thoughts on Creativity

Creativity involves letting go of preconceptions and exploring new ideas. Every invention was either the result of an experiment (or many experiments) or the result of an accident. If it was the result of an accident, the person had to be observant enough to notice the unexpected result and open enough to realize a possible new application for it.

Steve Jobs, of Apple Computer and Pixar fame, said “Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while.” Walt Disney “saw” a mouse acting in new ways and talking. From this idea, he built a worldwide company that has brought joy to millions of people.

            Anthropologist Margaret Mead said, “To the extent a person makes, invents, or thinks something that is new to him, he may be said to have performed a creative act.”  The point of these quotations is to show you that whether or not you think of yourself as having the potential to be an artist, you are indeed creative. Creativity applies to all areas of life, not just to art.

            Creativity is neither skill nor muscle. Like both, creativity requires exercise to grow.  You can exercise your creativity through play. During unstructured play time, the child within the adult is free to surface. As the singer and songwriter Joni Mitchell noticed, “You’ve got to keep the child alive; you can’t create without it.”

I am considering teaching a class on how to develop your innate creativity. This class would be helpful for people who want to be artists or writers, but do not feel that they are creative enough. It’s also perfect for creative people who are experiencing blocks, and anyone who feels like increased creativity would improve life.

About Ann: Ann Bell is an artist, writer, teacher, and creativity coach who resides in Houston, Texas. Visit her website at www.AnnBell.net to see samples of her work and learn more about her.. If you would like to receive information about her new class on  encouraging your creativity, send an email to artist@AnnBell.net requesting “Creativity Class Info”.