Motivation to Stay Creative
Motivation to
Stay Creative
Above all, to stay means to maintain. This blog is a perspective on creativity maintenance.
1. What is creativity?
Undoubtedly, to control something, we must first understand it thoroughly; nevertheless, when I ask someone what creativity is, I receive various responses. Some people associate it with art, some with new technology, but hardly a person gives a more specific definition or any definition at all... To move further with our topic we must first answer this question. So, to be on the same page, we will use one of the most popular definitions of the word.
"Creativity is a phenomenon whereby something new and somehow valuable is formed."
"Creativity is a phenomenon whereby something new and
somehow valuable is formed." - Wikipedia
"Creativity is a phenomenon whereby something new and somehow valuable is formed." - Wikipedia
1.1. Interpreting
Firstly, from the words "something" and "somehow" we can immediately declare the word "unlimited", which is probably neglected in any other definition. Clearly, it doesn't matter "what" we are forming and "how" we form it, so from here we can deduct that the moment we put any kind of limit is the moment we lose creativity. Secondly, whatever is being created has two parameters - new and valuable. The "new" parameter is easy - something that has already existed but is being experienced for the first time, or something that is being introduced for the first time. The "valuable" parameter, however, is more important to grasp, because, to have everything covered, we always need at least one person to find value. Without a doubt, if the thing is valuable to you, you got this parameter covered, so keep in mind to always make it personal, if you want to stay creative.
In addition to this definition, the created item may be intangible or physical. For example, an intangible can be an idea, a scientific theory, computer software, a joke, a musical composition or other. Physical objects are more self-explanatory. For instance, an invention, a painting, computer hardware or other.
1.2. More definitions
Before we move further, let's set things straight and catch a glimpse of other popular definitions from both American and British English:
- "The ability to create." - The Merriam-Webster Dictionary (MWD)
- "Having the ability or power to create." - The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (AHD)
- "The production of ideas and objects that are both novel or original and worthwhile or appropriate, that is, useful, attractive, meaningful, or correct." - New Oxford American Dictionary (NOAD)
This last one was a bit complicated. However, this next definition throws us into confusion even more, because it raises a burning question.
"Creativity is the ability to use your imagination to produce new ideas, make things etc."
"Creativity is the ability to use your imagination to produce new ideas, make things etc." - Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (LDOCE)
1.3. What is imagination?
A common definition (sometimes used as a second definition) is "the ability of the mind to be creative", which makes us go back and forth between both subjects. We are going to use the same resources again to list the answers and derive from them something more simple.
- "The ability to produce and simulate novel objects, sensations, and ideas in the mind without any immediate input of the senses." - Wikipedia
- "The act or power of forming a mental image of something not present to the senses or never before wholly perceived in reality." - The Merriam-Webster Dictionary (MWD)
- "Most directly, the faculty of reviving or especially creating images in the mind's eye." - New Oxford American Dictionary (NOAD)
- "The ability to form pictures or ideas in your mind." - Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (LDOCE)
- "The ability to form mental images of things that are not present to the senses or not considered to be real." - The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (AHD)
Obviously, these are perplexing and hard to memorize. Therefore, we can simply state the following extraction:
Imagination is to experience something in your mind.
2. Motivation for creativity
Since there is really no limit to "what" we are forming and "how" we are doing it, the only thing that matters is "why" we do it. To initialize a creative thought, admittedly, we need motivation. Then, what motivates us to be creative? Probably the most popular motivational theory is a theory in psychology called "Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs" proposed by Abraham Maslow, which is included in many motivational subjects, even books like "Motivation For Dummies" by Gillian Burn. For the sake of clarity, let's get a quick overview of the theory.
2.1. The pyramid
The author tells that we are all humans and have certain needs and when those needs are not being met, we actually become motivated to fulfill them. The original theory implies that there are five stages of human needs that dictate an individual’s behavior. These are:
5. Self-actualization needs
4. Esteem needs
3. Love & Belonging needs
2. Safety needs
1. Physiological needs
- Physiological - most basic human survival needs like food, water, rest, clothing, shelter, overall health, and reproduction.
- Safety - protection from violence and theft, emotional stability and well-being, health security and financial security.
- Love & Belonging - human interaction, for instance, friendships, family bonds, physical and emotional intimacy, and belonging in a group.
- Esteem - ego-driven needs with main components self-respect and self-esteem.
- Self-actualization - fulfillment of one's full potential and true self; the development of knowledge, talent and other skills.
The first four stages Maslow referred to as "basic needs“ or "deficiency needs”, whereas, self-actualization is referred to as "growth needs" or “being needs” and, moreover, today there is even an extended version of the hierarchy with another three growth needs included. In particular, we are going to focus on the highest stage of the original hierarchy - self-actualization. Based on the theory we get motivated to develop pretty much anything, hence, be creative, when the deficiency needs are fulfilled. On the other hand, although growth needs make us happier, we are not harmed if they are left unfulfilled, so, here is where I want to throw in this next quote and leave something for you to think through:
"Many things are good, many are important, but only a few are essential."
- David Todd Christofferson
"Many things are good, many are important, but only a few are essential." - David Todd Christofferson
2.2. Sum and substance
Nevertheless, we may not have these four lower levels fully covered, yet still find motivation to self-actualize and be creative. One example for this is from people that share a message or a vibe that resonates with us. Now levels are skipped, but you feel the vibrations floating in you, relishing the moment, and are now willing to express with great excitement. Another more specific case, where stage three and four suffer, can be when we don't belong in a group with like-minded people and are positioned in an unhealthy social environment. Simply by keeping it personal, not necessarily private, we avoid a matter of opinion impacting our stage five. However, motivation is only what gets you started, discipline is what keeps you going, and whatever you are willing to create, from a product, service to even your own self, first figure out why creating it is essential to you.
3. Creativity Maintenance
Finally, we are going to talk about ways to upkeep our creativity and discipline what we talked about so far regarding this phenomenon.
No matter who we are and where we are (being where we are positioned and in what environment) we always bring the same thing - our mindset. More specifically, we are going to focus on our knowledge base and skillset. These are the parts of the mind that we want to target, because by expanding either one we can trigger ourselves to become motivated for self-actualization, thus creativity. This is so, because our brain responds to progress, but you can't have progress if you are directionless. Therefore, set goals and strive to achieve them.
3.1. Knowledge base trigger
One way to stimulate our brain for creativity is with a goal that expands our knowledge base and the best example for such trigger is a book. The goal is, let's say, to read the entire book. The moment you go through a single page or multiple pages, even a chapter, you will experience the progress and excitement, let alone the motivation. But, bear in mind the "somehow valuable" part from our creativity definition, which we always want to make personal. Remember, whatever you are consuming must be genuinely valuable to you. No matter what type of value. No limits with creativity!
3.2. Skillset trigger
Practice makes perfect! A famous cliché which is also another way to energize our brain, in terms of a skillset trigger. Simply, by mastering a certain skill or cultivating a new one, you again feel the progress needed to awaken your creativity.
3.3. Capture the idea
Suddenly, out of nowhere, you come up with a great idea, which you decide to memorize. Few minutes afterwards and that idea is gone and you can't remember it.
“Here's the time to act: When the idea is hot and the emotion is strong.” - Jim Rohn
“Here's the time to act: When the idea is hot and the emotion is strong.”
- Jim Rohn
Never keep it in your mind. Store it somewhere externally, easy for you to come back to. Don't just write it down, put context or try to depict it. Store the emotion as well as the idea. Act now, because after you pour your heart out, you can later use what you just captured and perform a knowledge base or skillset trigger on it, for the sake of maintenance.
3.4. Dedicate time
Imagine that your mind is overwhelmed with daily tasks and it's hard to focus on one thing, as the famous quote by Tony Robbins implies "where focus goes, energy flows". You are distracted and barely have time and energy for yourself, not to mention challenging your creative limits and using your highest potential. It's a long-term process. Don't ever rush it, because all good things take time.
"The key is NOT to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to
schedule your priorities." - Stephen Covey
"The key is NOT to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities."
- Stephen Covey
"The key is NOT to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities."
- Stephen Covey
Think of your mind as a whiteboard and every single task that takes your attention is written on it. You are most likely scattered all the time, unless you erase everything on the whiteboard and for a dedicated period of time have only one thing written on it - that product, service or yourself. Now the focus is 100% on the thing you desire to develop. Besides, no limits. Let's be creative. You need not erase everything from this whiteboard, as your mind can be multiple boards with only one "focus board", which is now engaged with that one single creative task, while everything else is left on another "to-do board" and so on.
Yet, easier said than done. You can't instantly "clear your whiteboard", especially if you are in the middle of the day with everything going on, requiring your attention. In this case, a neat way to be pragmatic in shutting out things is to do what's called a 15-20 min "power nap" and when you open your eyes, promptly channel your full focus towards that one thing. Until you feel good about it, buckle down and neglect all other distractions like social media. You don't have to stay late at night or wake up early in the morning no more.
4. Summary
In short, creativity is not only a constructive part of innovation, but also a key ingredient for personal development. People who manage to maintain their creativity are people who know how to steadily use their highest potential, find efficient solutions, adapt quickly to changes, combine things in a new and unique way, self-actualize regularly, and much more. These are smart people with special qualities who are always open-minded, motivated and ready for the unknown in order to deliver the unconventional. Therefore, stay creative and remain the best version of yourself!
Author Miroslav Penchev