Little Things Can Stop Creativity

By Robert Alan Black, Ph.D., CSP

Lack of money can stop a creative project.
 
Lack of resources can stop a creative project.
 
Lack of support can stop a creative project.

Yes, major things or forces can stop creativity. Yet when we look at the history of invention or in general the history of new ideas, we discover that these major forces truly did not stop the devoted, committed, dedicated “creation person.”

A lack of money, resources, or support didn’t stop Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Charles Goodyear, Harriet Tubman, Henry Ford, Chester Carlson (inventor of the Xerox process), nor many others from the distant or recent past. One key difference for these individuals was their determination. Yes, eventually money, resources and support came or was acquired. These things enabled the creative person to take their idea and turn it into a larger and larger solution. Yet the little things are what stop most of us from utilizing our creativeness long before we get to tapping the big resources for future giant success or breakthroughs.

While reading Alexander Lockhart's book Positive Charges recently, I came across the following item: “Understand there is only a letter difference between change and chance.” It got my attention as another small thing that often stops my creativeness or the creativeness of others I know and work with. Being creative produces change. Many people resist change or at least resist being “changed.” Being creative often requires that we take a chance or chances. Being creative requires that we venture into unknown territory and chance failure.

To be more creative, we need to accept that with either change or chance, the other will inevitably occur. If you change something, you chance potential failure. If you take a chance, change will normally result. Examine the changes your ideas will produce. Explore and test the chances you will be taking. Do not let change nor chance stop you.

Another simple change has to do with a major barrier to success or creativeness: the notion of limitation.  “I can't be creative. I can’t draw. I can’t sing. I can’t dance. I can’t understand computer software. I can’t. I can’t. I can’t.” If you are a fan or reader of motivational books, you no doubt have read this (paraphrased) quote credited to Henry Ford:

“Whether you say you can or say you can't, you’re right.”

Look at the word “limitation.” It has 10 letters. 9 of the letters are the root cause of why so many people are not creative. The 9 letters spell “imitation.” Too often we copy, mimic, reproduce and do not think for ourselves. Still another simple change can be discovered by examining the word “recreation.” Back up in linguistic history and spell the word as it would have been spelled originally: “re-creation.” That is, creating again. Many highly creative people discover that when they experience a “blank wall,” “writer’s block,” “creative staleness” or some other form of creative blockage, if they simply stop and take time to “re-create” they will be able to rejuvenate their creative sensibilities. 

Graham Wallas referred to the space between the second and third stages of his creative process as a good time to relax and play or recreate. By doing this, you allow your subconscious to work on the challenge and enable a mental state that makes you open to discovering new things.

In 1978, Oz Swallow shared a simple change that has major implications for the creativeness of people. One night, as a group of 100 or more people crowded into a small classroom at Buffalo State College, Oz encouraged us to:

“Change the metaphors in your life.”

He followed by explaining that all words in all languages are metaphors. They are not the thing or action itself but rather a word that refers to an interpretation of it. He therefore suggested that we examine the words we use. See them as metaphors and then change them. Or change our definitions. An example I have used with students from elementary school to college and with participants of all ages in workshops is “I can’t draw!” First, we clearly defined the word “draw” as making lines, shapes, marks, or shaded areas. The results could be used to represent either existing or imaginary things. We then redefined the act of drawing as the making of lines, shapes, marks, or shaded areas with materials such as pencils, pens, chalk, crayons, etc. using our hands, feet, arms, teeth, etc. to hold them.

The simple change in this case had to do with establishing a different definition of what it means to draw. Most people tend to compare themselves and their actions or skills with the “giants” in a particular field such as art, music, dance, engineering, etc. But the truth is drawing is a simple act that virtually anyone can do.

Here is one more simple change that can be discovered by examining the words we use. Many of us have problems with daily communication, and more specifically with poor listening skills. We are constantly told that to improve our communication, we should really listen. To better listen, simply re-arrange the letters for the answer: “Listen” becomes “Silent.” Now there is perhaps the shortest principle of good communication ever devised!
To improve your creativeness:

• Accept that being creative will produce change and that change will produce creativity.
• Accept that creativity requires some chance. Continually work at taking bigger and bigger chances one small step at a time.
• Work at not reacting. Instead, work at creating.
• Work at reminding yourself over and over “I Can, I Can, I Can”. 
• Stop imitating. Examine the principle or main idea behind successful creative ideas and adapt them rather than adopt them.
• Take time to recreate: relax, play a game, have fun!
• Look for the metaphors that are stopping you and change them or your definitions for them.
• Take time to truly listen to others, yourself, nature, etc.
• Look for your own “small changes” that will release and expand your creativity. Remember – being creative is your choice!

Since 1976, Robert Alan Black (Alan) has been designing and giving keynote speeches, workshops, and training programs focused on developing workplace skills in Leading, Communicating, Teaming and Creative Thinking. He has traveled and worked in 49 U.S. states and 75 countries striving to help people, teams, departments and entire organizations learn about becoming more productive leaders, more effective communicators, and greater creative thinkers. He can be reached at www.cre8ng.com.