We all marvel at other people's artistic achievements and ingenuity. But most of us fail to nurture our inner innovator.
When we think of creativity, we think of the likes of A.R. Rehman, M.F. Hussain, Dr.Abdul Kalam—people with a seemingly fated convergence of talent and opportunity. It's too narrow a set of references, because the truth is that all sorts of people, possessing various levels of intelligence and natural ability, are capable of engaging in fulfilling creative processes.
Just because you'll never be a C.V. Raman or Amartya Sen doesn't mean that you can't harness your idea-generating powers and make your life your own masterpiece. Buying into a limited definition of creativity prevents many from appreciating their own potential.
You can build up your innovative abilities in many ways—by doing things (noticing details in your midst, wearing your hair in a new style) that don't sound intimidatingly ingenious. You can simply get to know your personal problem-solving style—everybody shines at different stages of the process; understanding where you fit in gives you a big advantage. And perhaps most important is adjusting your overall attitude toward life—approach your experiences with an open mind and cultivate the belief that possibilities and solutions are always within reach, and you'll be equipped to handle any challenge with flair.
Imagine you wake up one morning and put on those bright coloured trousers (for the ladies it could be wearing that odd shade of lipstick). Then you take on that long drive to the office that you've never taken before. While at work, you solve a longstanding problem with a new and easier way. Then at coffee the break, you tell a hilarious anecdote that makes your colleagues laugh for two minutes straight (maybe less than that).
Would you call such a day merely interesting, or an expression of your creative self?
I bet you might opt for the former, but just about anything we do- from housecleaning to personal hobbies to work can be addressed in a creative manner and are indeed manifestations of our creative selves.
Start living creatively and reap the benefits—including fewer relationship headaches and more fulfilling workdays.
When we think of creativity, we think of the likes of A.R. Rehman, M.F. Hussain, Dr.Abdul Kalam—people with a seemingly fated convergence of talent and opportunity. It's too narrow a set of references, because the truth is that all sorts of people, possessing various levels of intelligence and natural ability, are capable of engaging in fulfilling creative processes.
Just because you'll never be a C.V. Raman or Amartya Sen doesn't mean that you can't harness your idea-generating powers and make your life your own masterpiece. Buying into a limited definition of creativity prevents many from appreciating their own potential.
You can build up your innovative abilities in many ways—by doing things (noticing details in your midst, wearing your hair in a new style) that don't sound intimidatingly ingenious. You can simply get to know your personal problem-solving style—everybody shines at different stages of the process; understanding where you fit in gives you a big advantage. And perhaps most important is adjusting your overall attitude toward life—approach your experiences with an open mind and cultivate the belief that possibilities and solutions are always within reach, and you'll be equipped to handle any challenge with flair.
Imagine you wake up one morning and put on those bright coloured trousers (for the ladies it could be wearing that odd shade of lipstick). Then you take on that long drive to the office that you've never taken before. While at work, you solve a longstanding problem with a new and easier way. Then at coffee the break, you tell a hilarious anecdote that makes your colleagues laugh for two minutes straight (maybe less than that).
Would you call such a day merely interesting, or an expression of your creative self?
I bet you might opt for the former, but just about anything we do- from housecleaning to personal hobbies to work can be addressed in a creative manner and are indeed manifestations of our creative selves.
Start living creatively and reap the benefits—including fewer relationship headaches and more fulfilling workdays.
