1 Defining Creativity

Creativity: The Beginning

Creativity is a force. Not just a fleeting idea or a moment of inspiration, but a powerful force capable of sustaining transformation. Creativity not only transforms individual lives but also entire communities, industries, and even societies. Creativity is often described in various ways, but the challenge is understanding its true depth. As a transformational force, creativity can shape the way we think, live, and understand the world around us. But understanding transformational forces, especially creativity, can be elusive. It is not impossible to comprehend creativity, but it requires a drastic shift in perspective and attitude.

Poesis: The Ancient Gift of Creation

At the core of this discussion lies the concept of poesis—an ancient Greek word that speaks to the act of creation. Poesis refers to the ability to create something out of nothing. This concept, while often misunderstood as trivial or passive, is in fact one of the most potent forces humans have at their disposal. It is the essence of creativity itself…bringing something into existence where there was nothing before. Poesis is not merely about making something; it is about shaping the future, transforming the world, and giving birth to new possibilities.

Creativity, as a transformational force, is not limited to abstract ideas. It is deeply tied to action and change. Think of it as the phoenix rising from the ashes to become entirely new. This metaphor speaks to the transformative power of creativity, which allows us to reimagine and evolve. Creativity is not static. Creativity is dynamic, always pushing us toward new understandings of what I can become.

This chapter will explore different definitions of creativity, discuss why one particular understanding resonates most deeply with me, and outline how creativity can be enhanced, applied, and utilized as a tool for personal growth and societal advancement.

Three Definitions of Creativity

Let’s start by exploring three popular definitions of creativity. Each of these offers a different lens through which one can view and understand creativity.

1. Creativity is the ability to come up with novel and unique ideas.
   This definition positions creativity as the capacity to generate something new, an idea that has never been thought of before. While this view highlights the importance of originality, it can sometimes suggest that creativity is reserved for those with rare, exceptional abilities. It also leaves out the critical element of value, which is often a deciding factor in whether an idea can be considered truly creative.

2. Creativity is the ability to come up with ideas that have value.
   This definition places an emphasis on the usefulness or significance of the ideas. Creativity here is not just about novelty, but also about practical application. It suggests that a good idea must not only be new but also valuable, capable of solving a problem or meeting a need. However, this definition might still miss the broader potential of creativity beyond mere value, limiting its scope.

3. Creativity comprises the drive and ability to make something new or to connect the seemingly unconnected in significant ways so as to enrich our understanding of ourselves, our communities, the world, and the universe that we inhabit.
   This third definition stands out as my favorite. It offers a more holistic and expansive view of creativity. It captures the notion that creativity is not simply about generating ideas, but about using those ideas to deepen our understanding of the world around us. It acknowledges both the internal (personal) and external (communal or global) dimensions of creativity, positioning it as a force for personal and collective transformation. This definition encompasses creativity as a process, one that requires both drive and ability, which is a combination that anyone can cultivate.

Why I Prefer the Third Definition

I have a special affection for the third definition of creativity. There are several reasons why it resonates so strongly.

1. It is a concept I discovered, not something from textbooks or scholarly articles.
   Unlike the first two definitions, which are commonly found in academic discussions of creativity, this third definition came from my own exploration of the topic. It wasn’t taught to me. It was something I discovered due to my curiosity (more about where I discovered it to come). I like it because it feels personal, something I can claim as relating to all, which makes it feel more authentic.
2. It portrays creativity as a holistic concept.
   The third definition elevates creativity to a cognitive level, positioning it as a tool for enriching our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. It does not promise to bring fame or fortune nor does it imply that creativity must result in something grand or world changing. Instead, it highlights that even the smallest creative acts deepen our self-awareness or improve the way I see the world are significant. This is a more profound and attainable understanding of creativity.
3. It invokes the word “significant.”
   Creativity, as defined here, is linked to significance. This is a powerful word. When I talk about something “significant,” I am referring to something of great importance. A “significant other” is someone who plays a central role in our lives. Creativity, when seen through this lens, is not about triviality or superficial innovation. It is about deep, meaningful contributions that transform our understanding. The ideas we generate, the things we create, and the connections we make should carry weight, offering real insight and value.
4. It combines drive and ability, both of which can be developed.
   This definition is incredibly empowering because it recognizes that creativity is not merely a natural gift that a select few are born with. Rather, it is a skill that can be honed and cultivated. The drive to be creative and the ability to generate valuable ideas are both within the reach of anyone who aspires to grow them. Creativity, in this sense, is not reserved for a gifted few. It is a practice that can be developed with effort and intention.
5. It is a hidden gem.
   Perhaps one of the most intriguing aspects of this definition is how I stumbled upon it. It is not commonly discussed in mainstream discussions of creativity. In fact, it is buried in the FAQ section of the MacArthur Genius grant website. To find it, one has to actively seek it out. This hidden nature adds an air of mystery and exclusivity, making it all the more powerful. The MacArthur Genius grant itself is an emblem of recognition for truly groundbreaking creative work, and the fact that this definition is linked to such an honor makes it all the more significant in my eyes.

Activity: Defining Creativity

Objective:
To engage in self-reflection and explore the meaning of creativity in your own life by crafting a personal definition, using the symbol of stars to represent different facets of creativity.

Instructions:

1. Star Visualization: Start by imagining creativity as a night sky full of stars. Each star represents a different experience, memory, or feeling related to creativity. Some stars may be big and bright, representing powerful moments of creativity, while others might be smaller, representing fleeting but important instances. Take a few minutes to reflect on times when you’ve felt creative, whether it was in solving a problem, expressing yourself through art, or thinking of new ideas.
2. Free Writing with Stars: On a piece of paper, draw a large star in the center. Around this central star, write down words, phrases, or images that come to mind when you think about creativity. These could be personal experiences, emotions, or anything you associate with the creative process. Each word or image represents a “star” in your creative universe. You can add smaller stars around the central one, each representing a unique facet of creativity in your life.
3. Define Creativity: Now, using your starry reflection, craft a concise definition of creativity in your own words. Think of your central star as the core of your creativity, and the surrounding smaller stars as the different aspects that make up your creative experience. Write a few sentences that summarize what creativity means to you. For example:

1. • “Creativity is the spark that comes when I connect seemingly unrelated ideas.”
   • “Creativity is the ability to create something new, whether it’s a thought, a design, or a way of solving a problem.”

4. Star Rating: After writing your definition, take a moment to reflect on the following statement: “Creativity is a force that grows and changes in my life.” Using a star rating system (1 to 5 stars), rate how strongly you agree with this statement based on your current understanding of creativity. Place your rating next to your definition.
5. Share and Reflect: (Optional) Share your definition and star rating with a group or a partner. Discuss how the stars represent different parts of your creative journey and what you’ve learned about creativity through the activity. If you feel comfortable, reflect on how you might want to cultivate more “stars” of creativity in your life.

Going further, remember creativity helps us understand our surroundings as well. I have two activities below that will help you make creative connections with creativity and also further know your surroundings. I have given some samples. You can add more to both the tables.

This structured table allows for creative exploration while helping you connect different facets of creativity with personal metaphors, providing a unique, fun, and insightful way to define and understand creativity!

Here’s a Creativity Forest table using trees and herbs as metaphors for different creative traits:

Learning to Harness Creativity

The transformational power of creativity can be harnessed in both personal and professional contexts. To make creativity work for you, it must be cultivated. It is a skill, not a mystical gift, and like any skill, it requires practice, patience, and persistence. Creativity is like a muscle that requires regular exercise to grow stronger. One of the best ways to stimulate creative thinking is through daily exercises that encourage the mind to explore new ideas and connections. One of my favorites is sudoku and puzzles. They are published every day in newspapers, if you don’t get newspapers there are always freely available on the internet and within cell phone apps.

Brainstorming is a classic activity where you generate as many ideas as possible without judgment, allowing your mind to roam freely without restrictions. Mind mapping takes this a step further by visually organizing ideas and exploring connections between seemingly unrelated concepts, helping you see patterns and possibilities that weren’t initially obvious. Free writing is another powerful exercise, where you write continuously for a set period of time, allowing your thoughts to flow uninhibited and uncovering hidden insights. These activities help break through mental barriers and unlock creative potential by creating space for new ideas to emerge.

In addition to traditional exercises, technology offers an array of tools that can enhance your creative process.

Creative apps and software, such as design platforms like Canva or Adobe Spark, enable you to visualize your ideas and bring them to life through interactive elements and templates. Collaborative platforms like Miro or Trello allow you to share and refine ideas with others, enriching your creative process with diverse perspectives. For those focused on problem-solving, software like Mind Meister or XMind can aid in organizing thoughts and generating innovative solutions. These digital tools make the process of creation more accessible, dynamic, and collaborative, enabling you to expand your creativity in ways that were previously more time-consuming or complex.

To further deepen your understanding of creativity, engaging with insightful readings can provide valuable perspectives and techniques. Books like The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron are widely regarded for their ability to guide individuals through creative blocks and encourage a more intuitive approach to creativity. Similarly, Creative Confidence by Tom Kelley and David Kelley offers actionable advice on developing a mindset that fosters creativity, drawing on their experiences at IDEO, a leading design firm. These readings not only provide practical strategies for cultivating creativity but also inspire a sense of possibility, reminding you that creativity is an essential part of everyday life that can be developed and refined.

Finally, watching TED Talks or documentaries on innovators and creative thinkers can offer real-world inspiration and guidance. Speakers such as Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Big Magic, and Sir Ken Robinson, a well-known advocate for creativity in education, share profound insights on how creativity manifests in different aspects of life and how it can be nurtured. Documentaries like Abstract: The Art of Design offer a behind-the-scenes look at the creative processes of designers, architects, and artists, providing a deeper understanding of how creativity translates into groundbreaking work. These resources not only inspire but also offer practical advice on overcoming challenges, expanding your creative horizons, and staying motivated.

By incorporating a variety of activities and resources, you can foster a creative mindset and develop the skills to turn innovative ideas into tangible outcomes.

How Creativity Changes a Human Being and Their Life

Creativity is often perceived as a sudden spark, an unexpected flash of brilliance that leads to a moment of discovery or innovation. While moments of inspiration do occur, creativity itself is far more than a fleeting burst of insight. It is a transformational force that shapes not only what we create but who we are as individuals. Through this creative process, our lives undergo profound changes, affecting how we see ourselves, our relationships, and the world around us.

From Fragility to Strength

At the beginning of a person’s creative journey, they may experience feelings of insecurity or vulnerability. Much like a young sapling that needs protection, creativity can seem fragile at first. We fear failure and doubt our ideas or abilities. However, as we persist, creativity builds resilience. Just as a tree grows stronger with each passing season, creativity enables us to develop emotional strength and mental fortitude.

Creativity teaches us that failure is not the end, but a necessary part of the process. With each attempt, we learn, adapt, and evolve. Over time, this process of creative exploration strengthens our character, transforming us from passive observers of life into active participants. We learn to embrace challenges, knowing that they are part of the growth process. As we nurture our creative abilities, we become more confident, more resilient, and more willing to take risks.

Flexibility and Adaptability

As we cultivate creativity, one of the most transformative changes is our ability to adapt. Creativity teaches us to think flexibly, to consider multiple perspectives, and to remain open to new ideas. Much like a tree that bends in the wind without breaking, we begin to see obstacles as opportunities rather than roadblocks.

This adaptability changes not only how we approach problems but also how we engage with the world. A creative person no longer views challenges as something to be feared; they view them as chances to innovate, learn, and grow. This newfound adaptability empowers us to adjust our approach to life’s challenges, whether they are personal, professional, or creative. It encourages a mindset that thrives in uncertainty, constantly evolving and growing as we encounter new experiences.

 Clarity and Purpose

Creativity is not just about creating things; it’s about gaining clarity and understanding of who we are. The process of creating forces us to look inward and explore our own motivations, values, and desires. As we express our creativity, whether through art, writing, music, or other forms, we begin to better understand our place in the world.

In this process, creativity often reveals a deeper sense of purpose. When we tap into our creative energy, we start to connect with something larger than ourselves. Creativity encourages us to ask difficult questions: What is meaningful to me? How can I contribute to the world? How can I live authentically? This journey of self-discovery is one of the most profound transformations creativity offers. By embracing it, we gain clarity on what truly matters, helping us align our actions with our deepest values.

Growth and Expansion

As creativity becomes a regular part of our lives, we notice that it accelerates our personal growth. Creativity isn’t just about making new things, it’s about expanding our mind, stretching our capabilities, and challenging the limits we once thought were insurmountable. Like a plant that pushes through the soil to reach toward the light, creativity forces us to grow beyond our comfort zones.

Over time, creativity opens up new possibilities that we hadn’t considered before. It encourages us to take on new challenges, to think bigger, and to strive for more. Our creative abilities inspire us to pursue passions and goals that might have once seemed unreachable. We no longer accept limitations but see them as opportunities for innovation. Creativity unlocks a new realm of potential, transforming us into the people we were always meant to be, people who continuously seek growth, embrace change, and innovate with passion.

A Sense of Connection

Creativity also changes how we interact with the world. It sharpens our ability to see connections where others might not. By fostering creativity, we learn to recognize patterns, uncover hidden truths, and synthesize disparate ideas into something new and valuable. This enhanced perception of the world allows us to engage more deeply with others and the environment around us.

In relationships, creativity helps us approach communication and problem-solving with empathy and innovation. It allows us to build bridges between seemingly unrelated ideas and cultures, creating more meaningful connections. This ability to see the world differently transforms our relationships, making them more collaborative, dynamic, and fulfilling.

Transcending the Ordinary and Finding Joy

As we cultivate creativity, we also begin to find joy in the process itself, not just in the end result. Creativity transforms the mundane into the extraordinary, inviting us to see the beauty in the smallest moments and the most ordinary of experiences. Whether it’s the way we solve a problem at work or how we rearrange furniture at home, creativity brings a sense of playfulness and wonder into every aspect of life.

Over time, we find that creativity makes life more vibrant, enriching our daily experiences. We learn to approach life with curiosity, enthusiasm, and joy, knowing that each moment holds the potential for creative expression. This shift in perspective allows us to live with more energy, passion, and gratitude, elevating our overall sense of well-being.

Conclusion

Creativity is not a one-time spark or an isolated skill—it is an ongoing process that continuously shapes us into better, more fulfilled individuals. It is a powerful, transformational force that evolves us into people who are stronger, more adaptable, and more attuned to our inner wisdom. It changes not only what we do but who we are, helping us understand our true potential and empowering us to live more authentically.

By learning to harness and cultivate creativity, we open the door to a new era of personal growth and discovery. We begin to see life as a canvas, full of possibilities, and we recognize that we have the power to shape our own journey. Through creativity, we not only transform our work but our entire outlook on life, deepening our connection to the world around us.

In conclusion, creativity is not a fleeting moment of brilliance. It is a powerful, transformational force that can shape your understanding of the world and your place in it. By embracing and nurturing creativity, you are embarking on a journey of growth, discovery, and fulfillment. Embrace creativity, and let it transform you—because through creativity, you become the best version of yourself.