What does it mean to be creative? In exploring the meaning of creativity we may tend to limit our options without even knowing it. Would you consider simple every day activities as creative? How about tying your shoes? Well, there is the two dog-ear method and of course the bunny runs around and through the hole and then the simple knot – sure to keep those feet secure. There are many possibilities in everyday happenings such as this that we can recognize creative potential, if we just take the time to notice it!
Creativity in its simplest form may come from the smallest sources – children. We always hear – kids say the darndest things and most of the time, they sure do! The fresh, curious, and untainted lens they see this world through could be an example for us all to follow. Our children often are able to see and utilize this simple and everyday creativity because they are exploring a whole new world.
FOR EXAMPLE…
When a child is trying to determine how to put together a puzzle for the first time they try all kinds of ways. They put the pieces in their mouths, turn the box over, twirl the pieces around, draw on them… you name it. Adults tend to shy away from these methods because of previous conditioning – they already know how to put the pieces together. But is this limiting us? It’s possible. The child has the ability to attempt this new task from all sorts of ways – creative ways. If we use this simple yet extremely creative way of thinking in our everyday lives the possibilities are indeed endless.
HOW?
Well, for starters keep it as a goal of yours to approach new tasks and ideas as creatively as possible. In fact, there has been evidence to show that simply keeping this intention of creative potential throughout our every day lives in fact leads to more (you guessed it) creativity!
Second, take a look at what you are doing from another perspective. How would a child look at this endeavor? What questions would they ask? Play with your problem and have fun!
Third, jump in! You have to get into things to really expose it’s creative potential. Play around with your problem or project like a child would. Allow yourself to explore. Get out a pen and paper and jot down some thoughts, make a list if you are a list person, try painting a picture or drawing without judging yourself and see what emerges!
WHAT ARE SOME DAILY TASKS WITH THE POTENTIAL TO BE CREATIVE?
To name a few (and there are possibilities EVERYWHERE)…
Making coffee
Driving to work
Packing a lunch for your kids
Cleaning your house
Writing
Organizing your calendar
Planning a project
Exercising
These are different for everyone of course.. What are your daily tasks that you can find new creativity in or ideas you want to explore?
CREATIVITY IS EVERYWHERE!
It is often thought that creativity is strictly reserved for writers and artists and the like. Often the word artistic goes hand in hand with creativity. This article hopes to reveal that not only are YOU (yes you) creative but that creativity resides in activities big and small, mundane or interesting, and most of all those daily tasks. We can learn from the fresh outlook of children about approaching things in new ways and also allow ourselves to have fun and try many possibilities. And hey, when you learn to let go of what the outcome will look like you can simply enjoy the process!
Deirdre Bundy is co-founder of The Little Ladies Sports Club, a mentoring service for adolescent and teenage girls ages 8-18 years of age serving the Los Angeles Area.
