What is Creativity – The Perfect Anatomy of a Word Creativity

What is Creativity?

Before asking, “How does on­­­e become creative?” one must understand –

What is Creativity?

On the Internet, you will get more than hundreds of views on creativity, which makes sense. To define creativity in a particular way would perhaps limit its very essence and thus, diminish the significance to call someone creative altogether.

Everyone has a unique perception. However, the bottom line is and will essentially be the same irrespective of the context.

And that is –

Someone, somewhere, has given something to the world

to idolize, revere and say – YES!

Now, if you want to be creative and perhaps want people to say YES, to your work, then you must thoroughly understand the word creativity.

Here, I list each letter in the word creativity that would give you some thought-provoking views about –What is Creativity. 

What is Creativity

The perfect anatomy of a word Creativity

Creativity

C – Create

Create it, good or bad. Creative people create.

To call oneself creative one must create something. Good, bad, or ugly does not matter, but creating does.

Without creating something, one cannot be seen as being creative; one maybe imaginative but not creative.

Your work can be world class or a trash but for that, one must create something.

Practical Lens –

Do not confuse perpetual motion (imagining) with physically movement (creating).

A rocking chair gives the feeling of movement, but it does not take you anywhere.

cReativity

R – Re-Create

With all your might you’ve created something. What next?

Re-create!

I’ve never come across any writer who has never edited their work at least once before publishing. In simple words, no creative person will concur that their first work was satisfactory; at least, not according to them.

Practical Lens –

Interview snippet with Ernest Hemingway:

Interviewer: How much rewriting do you do?

Hemingway: It depends. I rewrote the ending of Farewell to Arms, the last page of it, thirty-nine times before I was satisfied.

Interviewer: Was there some technical problem there? What was it that had stumped you?

Hemingway: Getting the words right.

He Rewrote  – Recreated (somewhat) – 39 times!

crEativity

E – Emulate

Well, let’s be honest, we need to learn from those who knows better than us. Until the pupil surpasses the master.

At the very least, one needs to learn the basics.

In the movie “Finding Forrester” Sean Connery as Forrester says,

“I helped him to find his own words by starting with some of the mine…..”

So, a coach only guides one in the right direction. The learner first emulates their master or idol and eventually become independent.

Emulating someone is not imitating the person, rather it’s a way one learns the necessary skills to be good like them.

The difference comes when you add your worldview. That’s how you make your work noticeable.

Writers learn by reading works of great authors (or even writing FanFic). Painters by studying great artists.

In their initial work or stages, you may see a reflection of influence to a certain extent.

Later, a special ingridient is added, their worldview

Practical Lens –

Emulating someone does not mean you too will get the same result.

It does not even mean one will succeed if copied.

creAtivity

A – Authenticity

It goes without saying that your piece of work deserves attention only if it is authentic. Authenticity is the core of creativity.

Well, in some cases, you may come across that authenticity is missing or bereft but typically the appreciation of your creative work comes from being authentic.

Although, sometimes it may so happen that your authentic creative work goes unnoticed like in the case of Van Gogh, but that did not stop him from creating what he had set out for – Read #1 C – Create it.

Perhaps you might think then why be authentic or good enough?

@austinkleon -souvenir
“I’ve walked the earth for 30 yrs-to leave a certain souvenir in the form of drawings/paintings in gratitude”VanGogh

— Sumit Asrani (@ursSumitAsrani) June 9, 2014

Van Gogh: “to leave a certain souvenir in the form of drawings or paintings in gratitude” http://t.co/agp6X1K6M1 (thx @ursSumitAsrani)

— Austin Kleon (@austinkleon) June 9, 2014

Practical Lens –

Authenticity is what makes a difference. Truly creative people create authentic work.

creaTivity

T – Transmute

Transmute means – “The change, or transfer of one element, or form of energy, into another.”

In any creative work, you may observe that there is a hidden coherence between two or more creative works.

This art of coherence is called Transmutation – a very subtle one.

Transmutation is the way you get things done creatively knowingly or unknowingly.

Have you ever come across the phrase creative destruction?

Wonder what it means?

It has a much deeper meaning for which one must study the work of Joseph Schumpeter.

However, in the simplest form, it is nothing but the Art of Transmutation.

Practical Lens –

Change is constant. Transmutation is the way of art, life and creativity.

creatIvity

I – Intangible

Intangible means something that can’t be touched.  To set an intangible work (in a positive way) is the highest form of creativity.

Love Ferrari? There’s a reason behind it.

A work turns instagible: When every cell of your body is involved in creating the work meticulously with intense labor and vigor for hours having a great vision.

Practical Lens –

An intangible work reflects the vision.

creatiVity

V – Vision

A vision based on value creation is the backbone of an intangible creative work.

Creative work has value and the world sees it. It is significant when someone can relate to it or see and understand your idea, message, and work. That calls for a vision.

Vision must be clear.

What one sees through any work is the vision shared by the creator.

In addition, a vision that gives value to the the art created, observer, user, and obviously to the creator is the one that will last forever.

Without a vision, you could lose your way while working. Having a clear vision keeps you on the right track.

It will help you not to lose sanity. Because then you know –  Why – the real reason behind your work and how it could change the world around you.

When your work involves a vision with value creation, all of a sudden it is seen as an –

creativIty

I – Ideal

An Ideal.

It sets an inspiration. Inspire people.

Becomes an epitome. However, for that, your work to be a utopian one must –

creativiTy

T – Test it

Testing your creative work is a part and parcel of being creative. Testing is an art too.

It’s an iterative and creative process in itself.

How do you test your work?

You can test it by simply showing it to everyone.

Invite people. Ask them to have a look. Share with them.

[Related Article: Principles Creative People Follow]

Everything must go through the acid test.

You must be ready for the outcome – acceptance or rejection. And still move forward.

Not every post will be viral. Not every song is a hit. Not every book is a bestseller. Not every business is successful.

Sometimes things work out and sometimes they don’t.

Creating something entirely new or a tinge of something uncommon involves the risk of losing. And the fear of unknown.

But the only way forward is to be out there.

Make no mistake by thinking that what worked for one thing, will work for another. Not every work of yours will appeal to the world; in fact, most of the time it will not.

Practical Lens –

Testing is the only way to know how creative is your work.

So, keep pushing yourself, keep creating – good, bad, or ugly. Test it. Never stop. And then let people yearn.

creativitY

Y – Yearn

Give something that people yearn for, want to be a part of or dream of creating it, all by themselves.

Something that makes them say YES!

Remember –

The world will then tell a tale about it.

Be that one.

Create and be creative.

Practical Lens –

Let me know in the comments below what you have created or are working on.

Until Then

– @ursSumitAsrani