Creativity

What types of creativity are out there? What are the benefits and how can you discover your own creativity?

Let’s take a look at what Creativity means…

WIKI

1. Tending to create things, or having the ability to create; often, excellently, in a novel fashion, or any or all of these.
2. (of a created thing) Original, expressive and imaginative
3. (set theory) A type of set of natural numbers, related to mathematical logic
4. Designed or executed to deceive or mislead.

Dictionary.com

1. having the quality or power of creating.
2. resulting from originality of thought, expression, etc.;imaginative:creative writing.
3. originative; productive (usually followed by of).
4. Facetious. using or creating exaggerated or skewed data, information, etc.:creativebookkeeping.

Types of Creativity

Creativity is housed in four basic combination areas. Let’s look at each one:

Deliberate & Cognitive

This area is for those who have purpose, and are knowledgeable of a particular subject. They are excellent at research, problem solving, investigating and experimenting. Those that seek the answers to questions and don’t stop until they find them.

Deliberate & Emotional

Those in this combination are deliberate and emotional in their work. Their nature tends to be more passionate and sensitive. Their decisions are based more on emotions than research. Not that they couldn’t or wouldn’t do the research to find things out, but they use their emotions more than most.

Spontaneous & Cognitive

When thoughts and Ideas randomly enter your mind after trying to find a solution. When you’ve worked endless hours trying to find the answer, you go home and watch a move, or take a shower and the solution pops into your head. Like your mind needed the break to really find the answer.

Spontaneous & Emotional

Similar in nature to the last one, this is where you have sudden realizations or an epiphany when it comes to solving the problem. This is when things really happen.

Benefits of Creativity

• Feeling of pride, purpose, accomplishment
• Being able to create something special for others
• Reduces stress, anxiety, and mood disturbances
• Become a better problem solver and thinker
• Self awareness and Expression
• Freedom, Happiness, Fun
• Improves ability to focus
• Promotes risk-taking and iteration – making things isn’t easy, making things others will appreciate is even harder – creativity requires courage, confidence, and willingness to fail and try again.
• Prerequisite for Innovation – new ideas are inspired by imagination & creativity
• Encourages life-long learning

How to Be Creative

1. Start Small~ Don’t jump into something right away. Allow yourself to become familiar with it first. Research, expand your knowledge and prepare for it.
2. Start with Someone Else~ Be Social. If you don’t want to start something alone, find someone else who you think will enjoy it along side you. It’s always more fun with more people, and it’s a great way to connect with others.
3. Try Different Things~  Never done an activity, but would like to try it? Now’s the time to put that fear away and try it. Combine it with number two and you’ll have a partner in crime.
4. Enjoy Nature~ Get outside and enjoy what’s around you. Go see new places. Try gardening, photograph landscapes, see what you’re missing in the big wide world of nature.
5. Keep a Journal ~ Use the time to write stories, free-write, write about your day, your dreams, your ambitions. Anything that comes to mind can go in a journal. That’s why it’s so freeing and versatile, you can put anything you want in there.

Find Your Creativity

1. Try Creating Art ~ What better way to connect to your creativity than using art. Discover your inner artist by experimenting with different mediums. (Charcoal, Pencil, Pen, Colored Pencil, Chalk, Paint, Photos, etc.) You never know when you’ll find your talent in the strokes of charcoal or the colors of paint.
2. Listen to Music~ Everyone has their favorite and it often inspires them to move, sing, dance, create or dream of what could be. Use your favorite music to inspire your creativity.
3. Renew or Start a Hobby ~ Have something you love to do, but haven’t had the time to continue? Or have you always wanted to start something but never really got around to actually starting. Here’s your chance to do just that. Go out and explore your creative side.
4. Start a Collection~ Find something you enjoy. I bet you already have one started. Who doesn’t have albums of picture somewhere on their computer or hard drive. Find something that inspires you and create a collection from it.
5. Find Joy in Numbers~ Not everyone enjoys math and numbers as much as other, but there are those that love problem solving and the use of numbers. Use that to your advantage and explore the possibilities.

Final Thoughts

Creativity can be found in many ways, you just need to explore, discover, and experiment to find it.