You are creative. Yes, you, the accountant, attorney, machinist, waitress, analyst, receptionist, etc... you really are creative.
For far too long I have boxed in the definition of "creative”. I have limited it to a certain type of person who drinks lattes, sketches their thoughts, and paints murals for a living. Creative people in my mind have always been synonymous with artistic people. Why is that?
Well, part of it probably has to do with the literally definition of the word “creative":
"relating to or involving the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work." (Google Definition)
Ok, so we all saw it…the part where it says “especially in the production of an artistic work”. But let’s not focus on that, let’s instead focus on the first part; “relating to or involving the imagination or original ideas.”
Believe it or not, you have an imagination and you use it every day. An imagination’s purpose is not just for the inventor or musician. It is also for the every-day-person—you, me. You imagine multiple things throughout the day. For example, you imagine what your future spouse will look like, or what dinner will taste like tonight, or how that episode of that sappy soap opera will end. You even use your imagination to come up with solutions to problems. You see, out of your imagination stems the ability to create. If it wasn’t for your imagination, you wouldn’t be able to create anything new.
At some point in your job and/or relationships, there has been a problem that arose. You had to buckle down and create a solution. Did you notice it…the word “create”? Odds are, you create things everyday. They may not be the next tech-gizmo featured in the latest trinket magazine, nevertheless, you are creating something.
You hold a ball of clay in your hands every single day. Every opportunity is warm and gooey, ready to be formed. What will you create?
Challenge:
Stop telling yourself that you are not creative. Everyone creates something! Think hard about what it is that you make up with your mind and/or actions. Instead, become aware of all the things you create on a regular basis, even if they're abstract or intangible.
Next step:
Take action. Start creating. Take note of what you’re good at making happen, and…make it happen, again, and again, and again.
In conclusion, I am not attempting to re-define the word "creative". Instead, I am challenging us to see it for what it really is, and to see ourselves for who we truly are.
P.S. Google’s definitions of “create”:
"bring (something) into existence."
"cause (something) to happen as a result of one's actions.”
Joel Widman
Owner
Anderson The Fish