So we have discussed how easy it is to start being more creative…simply ask more ‘why’ and ‘why not’ questions…that is a great place to start. But why should you, I mean why all that extra effort and energy?
Alvin Toffler (American writer and futurist) famously wrote “The illiterate of the twenty-first century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.”
In the early 20th century, Joseph Schumpeter introduced the economic theory of ‘creative destruction’ – describing how the old way of doing things is destroyed to be replaced by new – a concept that is even more important in our age of changing technologies than it was when old Joe coined the phrase. Many economists view creativity as being important for economic growth as it leads to a recombination of elements to produce new technologies and products.
In our current information economy more and more businesses are looking for people with a greater capacity for creative problem solving and thinking skills to enable them to cope with the fast pace of technological advances. Creativity goes way beyond your ability to paint a nice picture and towards challenging your whole way of thinking about things.
Studies show that creative people are more able than most to live with uncertainty as they are able to adapt and adjust their thinking to allow for the flow of the unknown.
Trying new things boosts your confidence as your skills improve and you experience the flow of the new experience and the outcome. Even better, as you are pushed outside your comfort zone you continually stimulate your brain to develop new thinking and get an added benefit of helping to stem the advance of age onset dementia.
Research has shown that the experience of creativity is itself able to evoke emotion, and has revealed a positive relationship between positive mood and creativity. Creativity is fun and enjoyable…doing things that you like reduces stress and improves overall well-being so it is important to find creative endeavours you enjoy (painting, sculpture, cooking, gardening, drawing, writing, poetry, playing music, performing, listening to music, yoga or tai chi, learning a new language…).
Success today is often the result of the connections you are able to make, and it is the creative thinkers amongst us who ask the ‘why’ and ‘why not’ questions who will make the most meaningful connections.
Taking time to enjoy creative pursuits is one of the best investments in yourself you can make to nourish your mind, body and spirit and helps make the less creative parts of your daily life more zestful – and maybe you will find a way to turn sorting the laundry into a creative activity!