A New Definition of Creativity
Who is more creative? A painter? A designer? A dentist? Besides reminding me that I am way overdue on a dental checkup, I think those questions tell us a lot about our views on creativity. I teach creativity at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and I’ve heard just about every excuse and misconception about creativity.
“I’m not creative, my sister got all the creative genes.”
“I’m more of a numbers guy so I’m not creative.”
So who is creative? And what exactly is creativity?
Here’s the good news: as a human* you are inherently creative and you have the ability to become more creative. Simply put: you are creative and you can become more creative. Don’t believe me? Take it up with science.
At the start of each semester, I spend some time reviewing the latest research in the world of creativity. And the research unequivocally shows that humans are creative and have the ability to become more creative. Contrary to popular belief, creativity is not a fixed trait. Creativity is not a “got it or you don’t” sort of deal. Creativity is already present in us, and with the proper tools and mindsets we can become more creative. At the University, we were frustrated with the way people defined creativity, so we decided to create our own definition. Here it is:
Creativity is having ideas and bringing them to be.
It’s simple, it’s short, and it involves all of us. One of the first things we focused on was making sure the definition included the reality of creativity: that we are all creative. Creativity is not limited to art galleries and music studios. Creativity is simply what we do when we have an idea and we bring that idea to the world.
There’s other great definitions of creativity, like from creative legend Ken Robinson who defines creativity as “having original ideas with value.” And I love Ken Robinson. So much. Seriously, if you know him contact me ASAP. But yet, even with all my love for him, his definition is missing a valuable point. I don’t view creativity as ideas alone, because ideas alone are not enough.
Sir Ken Robinson: Do Schools Kill Creativity?
Here’s what I’ve seen as a teacher and as a general member of society. People have lots and lots of ideas for books and movies and apps and businesses. Some people have ideas for a multi-platform book, movie and app which they will sell. They are overachievers. However, many people with an idea for a book actually publish a book? How many “million dollar” app ideas sit in notebooks and are never pursued?
You probably know someone who’s an “ideas person”. The type of person who has idea after idea while leaving behind a graveyard of ideas. To me, creativity is not just having the ideas, but also bringing them to be.
I love our new definition of creativity and not only because we made it up (though let’s be honest… that’s a large part) but because it’s a call to action. I used to think creativity was standing at a whiteboard jotting down ideas. Now, I view creativity as prototyping and building. It’s action and movement. It’s timelines and getting your hands dirty.
I would encourage you to embrace an action-oriented everyone-is-creative interpretation of creativity. Not only will that interpretation help others find their creative potential, it is an interpretation of creativity that is founded in science.
In the next few months I’ll be blogging more about techniques and tools in how to be creative, as well as general reflections on creativity (among other things). Now excuse me, I’m going to make an appointment with my dentist.
Follow Esteban on Twitter at @takearesteban or check out my website.
*If you are a dog who has developed the ability the read. Please disregard this blog. Also, don’t read Old Yeller.
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