“Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.” ~ Karim Seddiki
Whether you’re a writer, graphic designer, accountant or gravedigger, you are all creative. Let me say this again. You are all creative. The decision is whether or not you decide to be vulnerable and make something. To dream big enough to take action. I know, what if someone says it’s not good? What if nothing is said at all? What will your ego do then? Run and hide, never to create again? Or will you start over and make your creation even better? The answer is you get back on that horse and ride.
“Learn the rules like a pro. Break them like an artist.” ~ Pablo Picasso
To cultivate your personal creativity, you must learn how to apply your craft correctly. Maybe it’s an Excel spreadsheet, a PowerPoint or a poem. What you make doesn’t matter. What matters is that you just make something. And then do it again and again and again, until you master your craft. Then you can let it all hang out and make something cool, indifferent of the status quo.
“When I say be creative, I don’t mean you should all go and become great painters and great poets. I simply mean let your life be a painting, let your life be a poem.” ~ Osho
Life is not black and white. It’s not good art and bad art. Life is shades of grey, and there’s wiggle room for you to be authentically you. There’s space for creativity and inspiration in your career and your life. To invent something. A new process that makes work more efficient. A new math formula, a short story or a photograph. Let your creativity flow and become part of your everyday life. Apply it to everything you do, and your life will fundamentally change.
“Talent is a pursued interest. In other words, anything you are willing to practice, you can do.” ~ Bob Ross
Everyone has a special talent. Maybe it’s wheat weaving or toothpick sculptures. It doesn’t matter. The human spirit was built to create. To make something and put it out there. The last thing you need is to allow someone to tell you what you made isn’t good enough. Don’t listen. Move forward. Make it again, only better.
“Creativity is an act of defiance. You’re challenging the status quo. You’re challenging accepted truths and principles. You’re asking three universal questions that mock conventional wisdom: Why do I have to obey the rules? Why can’t I be different? Why can’t I do it my way?” ~ Twyla Tharp
Simply, be unafraid. No, I take that back. Be scared. Be scared as hell to not create. Then when you decide to create, be fearless.
