Why Don’t We Think We Are Creative?

by Jennifer Thompson, ambassador for Deviant Thinking

Did you know that art and creativity are two different things?

People currently are mistaking art for creativity.  One, art, contains an often physical skill set, while the other, creativity, requires the mind to allow its self to be free to think new thoughts. It is the fear of the physical skill set that causes people to say things like “I am not creative.”

I love this definition from Concise encyclopedia:

creativity noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Ability to produce something new through imaginative skill, whether a new solution to a problem, a new method or device, or a new artistic object or form. The term generally refers to a richness of ideas and originality of thinking. Psychological studies of highly creative people have shown that many have a strong interest in apparent disorder, contradiction, and imbalance, which seem to be perceived as challenges. Such individuals may possess an exceptionally deep, broad, and flexible awareness of themselves. Studies also show that intelligence has little correlation with creativity; thus, a highly intelligent person may not be very creative. See also genius; gifted child.

Notice that nowhere in this definition does it say one needs to be able to draw, paint, create music, etc. People who do these artistic activities are often creative in what they do, but I have seen very skilled artists who copy the ideas of others.  There are great musicians who only play others’ music. They possess great amounts of artistic skill, but might not always be using their creativity.

Creativity is about seeing challenges that others don’t see, and coming up with solutions to them.  I feel that everyone is creative in at least one area of their life. The mom who comes up with inexpensive yet healthy lunches for their kids. The family who figures out how to go on a three-week vacation for under $1000. The accountant who finds new ways to get his clients to organize their paperwork. These are great examples of creativity in all facets of life.

I love the focus recently on hacking the systems! This is true creativity. I admire the kid who hacked his education. Take a look at the great Tedx Talk that he did. I am impressed and inspired by the life hacks that are out there, everything from using a water bottle to separate eggs, to using a dust-pan to run water into a bucket. These are all super creative ways of approaching the world.

What are unusual ways that you are creative? Please comment and let me know your thoughts and the great ideas that you have.

Note: Today’s art is from my daughter Abigail,  a creative idea she found on Pinterest. No artistic skill required, just no fear of creativity.