Creativity

All arrows are pointing to creativity for the last few days, so it must be time to talk about that!

In part, this blog started because of Twyla Tharp’s book The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life. I haven't even finished the book yet, but I really like it because her theory about creativity is very similar to my explanation for getting a physics degree. In a nutshell, there are naturally brilliant people and there a stubborn people. The brilliant people have to work to get to the goal and the stubborn people have to work a little more to get to the goal. In both cases, I am in the stubborn category but I have worked with a few brilliant people. We all have to devote the time to it every day to make it through.

In college or in the working world, no matter what the field, we are required to regularly perform the work that needs to be done or risk the consequences. There are assignments and deadlines, project plans and performance reviews. Keeping up with it all, especially in these times of lean staffing, requires good habits. We develop patterns of behavior that help us behave efficiently and effectivly – time or priority management systems, tools and tricks that we can use as needed, anything at all that helps us get to where we want to be.

Most of us, however, don’t think of creative work that way. We like to believe in the fairy tale of inspiration striking us square between the eyes. Twyla Tharp says that it isn’t necessarily that way. Yes, there is that moment when things just float into place. But it only comes if we are in the habit of putting ourselves in the right place to intercept it.

One of the other arrows pointing to creativity comes from this blog post.
http://www.successful-blog.com/1/mini-session-3-five-things-about-creativity/ I won’t re-list his 5 items here, but they are short folks, just go read ‘em. Mark McGuiness speaks from the perspective of a coach for creative professionals, but the principles behind this 5 things list seem to be similar to Twyla Tharp’s ideas. Creativity has to be worked at an managed. It is not an event that occurs.

It is possible that recently finding these and many other similar sources is just an example of confirmation bias. The this thought process about creativity is consistent with my world view, so I trust it - but I could be wrong. It could be that these are just examples of modern day myths trying to explain one of the few mysteries left to mankind. We may all be as confused as any ancients talking about thunder gods.

On the other hand, making creativity a habitual and managed part of my life will only cost me a few hours a week and some frustration figuring out how to format pictures the way I want. It is a small price to pay for such potential benefit.

So, sister of mine, to answer your question – I’m doing this every work day so that I can develop a habit. It may or may not work, but some pretty impressive people say that it is a good idea. If nothing else, it will be quite an experiment!