Creativity Vs Inspiration
Creating anything takes motivation. Creating great things takes practice, time, and talent. We may have a great sense of creativity. We have the ability to create new ideas when there is a need for a new approach. Some of us may be inspired to create. We wait for the opportune moment to release a burst of creative energy.
Everyone is different and has there own way of expressing themselves. Creativity and inspiration often go hand-in-hand. Other times, creativity and inspiration will work against each other.
These two factors are often attributed to our personalities. We hear things like: “Well you are a creative person”, or “You are always infatuated with something”. Like any group of people, creators offer a diverse choice of perspectives. Much like our content, our methods vary greatly. This week we are going to discuss the characteristics of creativity and inspiration.
Creativity
The brain wants to put everything into neat groups. This causes us to develop a bias towards the world around us. This is a psychological phenomenon is known as functional fixedness. We only think of objects in the way they are supposed to be used. A funnel is for pouring liquids. It is not meant to be nailed to the wall and used as a coat hook.
I believe the same goes to thinking. We often get stuck in the same mindset for long periods of time. We view our art as a single concept of creation. Day after day, we look at the world in the same light.
To me, creativity is the ability to think outside of the box to create new ideas and manipulate our environments. It helps us get out of tough situations. We use it to express ourselves in the best way possible. We stray from our norms to find a new way to interact with the world.
Is Creativity A “Muscle”?
I have met many people who believe creativity is a genetic trait. Some people are born with creativity and others are not. Others believe that this is a skill that we develop with practice and effort. The classic “nature vs nurture” debate comes to the forefront in these conversations.
Like most concepts, I believe creativity is a bit of both. The human race is a variable group. Some people are born with higher inclinations toward creative thinking. At the same time, this trait is strengthened through experience and activities. Very few people create amazing art on their first try. For most of us, it takes years to develop our creative thinking skills.
Making Time For Creativity
Many of us have busy lives that make it hard to schedule creative activities. Time management is an important aspect of fostering creativity. We need to be setting aside time each week. Consistency is important when learning a new skill and developing new habits. Managing time in other aspects of our lives will give us the space we need to be creative. The balance may be hard to find, but we will find what works best for our lifestyles.
Limiting Distractions
Our attention is often drawn a hundred different ways at once. Smart phones are constantly filled with news and notifications. Computers offer an unlimited amount of time-wasting websites. Let’s not even talk about binge watching and video games.
It is hard to create when we are in a constant state of consumption. Our modern society does not do us any favors in this regard. Our undivided attention is a valuable commodity. It is important that we are focusing on our creative activities.
Quotes About Creativity
“Great things are not done by impulse, but a series of small things brought together.” – Vincent van Gogh
“If you’re not doing some things that are crazy, then you’re doing the wrong things.” – Larry Page
“Curiosity about life in all of its aspects, I think, is still the secret of great creative people.” – Leo Burnett
“”The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct. The creative mind plays with the objects it loves.” – Carl Jung
“Your own reasons to make are reason enough. Create whatever causes a revolution in your heart.” – Elizabeth Gilbert
Inspiration
This is a feeling that can hit us out of nowhere. All of the sudden we are hit with an intense motivation to create. We pump out great work in a short period of time. We experience an unusual confidence in abilities.
Inspiration does not last long. It can be hard to find. Many of us chase this state of mind in hopes that we can do some work. We want the secret method to hitting these boosts of creativity. This is easier said than done.
Have New Experiences
Many of us have rituals when it comes to starting the creative process. We draw in the same office every day, or have a drink before we start writing. We have to watch TV for an hour before we pick up an instrument. These habits help us feel in control of our self-expression. At the same time, they are not providing enough stimulation to get our wheels turning.
How often are we hit with inspiration during our regular routines? Inspiration often strikes when we have a new experience. Music can summon our motivation. A new activity can give us a new perspective on life. Inspiration is hiding behind every unturned stone.
Change, while it can be scary, is important to our personal development. Mixing things up helps expand our worldview. New experiences aid in developing our skills. It can be hard to step out of our comfort zones, but doing so can lead to awesome results.
Strike While The Iron Is Hot
Inspiration is often a fleeting feeling. When opportunity knocks, we need to take action. However, we may not be in a situation where we can drop everything and create. When this happens it is important to take notes. While we may not have the ability to exert our creative efforts, we can still get our ideas on paper before the inspiration fades.
Is Inspiration Necessary?
Inspiration may not hit often. For many of us, our inspirational experiences do not happen often enough to sustain a craft. Creation feeds on practice and consistency. While inspiration may temporarily increase our output, it will not get us through our day-to-day creative needs.
Awesome Quotes About Inspiration
“Inspirations never go in for long engagements; they demand immediate marriage to action.” – Brendan Behan
“Don’t park… Arrival is the death of inspiration.” – Ernst Haas
“Don’t wait for inspiration. It comes while one is working.” – Henri Matisse
“When I’m inspired, I get excited because I can’t wait to see what I’ll come up with next.” – Dolly Parton
“Our moments of inspiration are not lost though we have no particular poem to show for them; for those experiences have left an indelible impression, and we are ever and anon reminded of them.” – Henry David Thoreau
Conclusion
Creativity and inspiration are two important factors in the creative experience. Each has their own set of benefits and challenges. Creative skills allow us to work consistently and increase the quality of our art. However, this takes a lot of time and dedication. We need to keep our minds sharp to maintain creative behavior.
Inspiration assists us in creating our masterpieces. Great ideas put us on the road to great success. On the other hand, these ideas can come few and far between. An inspirational streak alone is often not enough to finish the project.
What is your process for creativity? Do you wait for inspiration to hit before getting to work? Do you schedule your self-expression? Let me know on social media!
