Creativity can be one of the most important traits that we men and anyone else, for that matter, can have. Creativity allows us to open our senses and our minds to the world thereby allowing us to experience and appreciate some of the best and most wonderful things that exist or have ever existed. Therefore, and very simply, creativity can be the gateway to humility.
In one way or another, it seems that we all connect with the many amazing things that have been created by other people in our world. If you have ever felt even just a remote connection to a song, a movie, a picture, sculpture or painting, or any other man or woman, or anything in between, made work, then the chances are extremely good that you have some “creative juice” flowing within your body.
Whether we realize it or not, creativity is actually something that we all use just about every day of our lives. Have you ever “made up” an excuse for why you did not do or want to do something? Yup. We thought so. So, guess what doing “made up” is. For the uninitiated, guess what, you can call this being creative.
Obviously, some people seem more naturally creative than others. And for most of us, creativity seems to be something that we associated with only a select few gifted people. After all, we usually associate creativity with writers, artists, musicians, and dancers – things associated with the arts. And only a very few of us live a life actively and successfully pursuing the arts.
But creativity is a valuable skill that anyone can use, whether you’re being asked to look for an out-of-the-box solution at work, or just to come up with something fun and interesting to do with your friends or family this weekend.
What are some quick steps that you can do to better develop your creative habit?
Getting started is easy. It starts with making the choice…
1. Decide To Be Creative.
As with anything, you’re never going to improve in an area until you sit down and decide that you’re going to. Believe it or not, there is a large component of choice to being creative. You must commit to being creative. Then set up your plan to carry out that commitment.
2. Specialize. Pick One Thing To Start With.
It’s hard to see a creative solution to a problem you don’t understand. Take the time to educate yourself in the area where you wish to be creative. Learn it inside and out, and then examine it again, from the point of view that comes from understanding.
Of course choose something of interest to you. Remember that you are not doing this to become rich or famous. Maybe that will happen, but your reason to become more creative is for you to be a better man.
3. Be Curious.
When something interests you, take note of it. Write down your questions. Try to answer for yourself why you are interested in that thing. Use these as jumping off points when you’re looking for ways to be creative.
4. Become A Bit If A Risk-Taker.
Don’t stick with the tried and true solutions. Ask yourself how you can do things differently? Then jump in and try things that way to see how they go. Even if you realize that your way may not be the best way, you have opened your mind to new possibilities.
5. Drop The Negativity.
By thinking you can’t find a solution, or that it’s impossible to be creative, you have already failed. Don’t create self-fulfilling prophecies. Instead, decide you will succeed, and that the solution is already there. Again, the result is not as important as opening your mind up to new ways of thinking about something.
6. Brainstorm.
Write it all down. Throw out your ideas, one after another. Get wild and crazy and see what sticks. More often than not, some of the best creative ideas come out of the silly ones.
7. Know There’s More Than One Way To Get Something Done.
If something isn’t working, that doesn’t mean there’s no solution – only a solution you haven’t found yet. Keep trying. Look for the other ways things might work.
8. Look For Inspiration. Be Inspired.
Spend time exploring other people’s creativity to stimulate your own. Visit art galleries. Listen to music. Read books. Explore the world around you and see what touches off a creative spark in you. If you make the time to pay attention, you will find that there is no end to the amazing creative world around you. You can become a part of it. This is important. No one should live in a bubble. There are so many creative things in our world that are worthwhile to be exposed to.
9. Be Inspiring.
Once you have found your creative path, even if you are only at the beginning, share your knowledge and experience with others. If you have kids, they need to see that being creative as an adult is important and necessary for a healthy life. Creativity is not just for for the kids finger painting in kindergarten.
And perhaps you can mentor other men that are starting on their journey. Sometimes the best piece of knowledge for someone struggling to have is for them to know that someone else is only a little farther up the path that they are also wanting to start on.
By sharing with others you cement in yourself your own skills, confidence and convictions.
10. Let Things Snowball.
Jump from one idea into another and another and another. See where the creative path takes you. Maybe you won’t find the solution to the problem you’re working on, but you might find the solution to something else, so jot down the best ideas that crop up. Letting your mind wander once in a while can actually be a great and surprisingly productive thing!
Conclusion
Creativity doesn’t have to be out of reach, even if you tend to think of yourself as an non-creative person. We all make use of our own creativity every day. The trick is to become aware of it and enhance and develop our creativity.
By working to enhance and develop your creativity, you’ll enjoy more success in your work and home life and you will learn new ways to think and do things. Sure, you will make mistakes along the way. Learning from the mistakes that you will make is how you build character and confidence. The journey is where the fun, growth and magic actually happens. Sure, “getting there” may be the goal. But once your have arrived, you just need to find your next creative destination. When it comes to creativity the possibilities are endless.
Really, with so much benefit, you owe it to yourself to make the time to find that new and exciting more creative version of you.
Be A Man – Do The Right Thing. Develop And Be More Creative. Find Your Voice. Be Inspired. Be An Inspiration.
BAM!!! Be A Man! Do The Right Thing.
Be the DtRTy Guy!