Creativity as Self-Improvement
- Part One -
One of the most common measures of one's mental
capacity is something people refer to as "creativity." In fact, the
word creativity seems to contain within its very marrow a certain
element of cool, of usefulness, of cleverness that is much more
enticing than say mere intelligence.
As a result, socially speaking, it has become more
flattering to be called "creative." And it should come as no
surprise that one of the most common laments among those of average
intelligence has become in recent decades, "I wish I were more
creative" and seldom the more pedantic, "I wish I were smarter."
But is it just the "hip factor" of creativity that
woos us? Is it really just the coolness that creativity affords
people like Martha Stewart or Nate Berkus or Bono that makes us
suddenly dissatisfied with our own capacities to create? Perhaps,
but the value of true creativity is so much more.
In a very real sense, creativity is vital to one's
ability to function. Where intelligence might afford us grasp of
facts or a greater sense of logic, it is creativity that enables us
to apply that logic in novel ways to build new points of view, new
solutions, and new facts that will become part of one's lexicon.
On a more personal level, creativity is what gives
us opportunity when opportunity seems scarce. And I'm not
necessarily talking about the way you can get your drapes to better
accent the height of your ceiling or how to render your flower
arrangement to elicit more wows from your in-laws. I'm talking about
making life easier, more interesting, more fun, and less stressful.
Why less stressful? Because creativity makes life more manageable.
Imagine having the innate ability to run into
blockages in relationships, finances, and business dealings, and
walking away knowing that within your grasp is a truly marvelous
solution. This is power. Real power. And it affords you a certain…
well… coolness.
Through the years, I've heard many people claim that
creativity is more valuable than knowledge because facts can be
learned and creativity cannot. But, stay tuned and I will show you
ways in which you can increase your creativity, just as you may do
yoga to increase your flexibility or do ellipticals to increase your
stamina.
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