What Does Creativity Mean to You?

To you, does creativity mean an artist painting a masterpiece; or a musician composing a symphony?  A chef concocting a new recipe? An inventor creating a new product?

Being creative can include all those things and more.

Some think that being creative refers only to iconoclasts or bold, courageous, original people.

When I think about creativity, my own definition contains elements of what happens in a creative process including experimentation, going down wrong paths, breaking some rules, taking some risks, and having fun.

Wikipedia defines Creativity as the tendency to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems, communicating with others, and entertaining ourselves and others.

For some people, it’s about getting artistically inspired, perhaps by tapping into some inner wellspring of intuition.    

Maybe for you, in a business context, it’s more about innovative problem-solving.  All of these definitions are valid. 

However you define creativity, we’ve all had some common experiences related to creativity.

If you are like me, you love those exhilarating Eureka moments when an idea seems to pop out of nowhere into your mind. 

And we have all felt the pressure of being creative on demand, maybe when your boss says ‘think outside the box” or ‘get creative’ it inevitably leads to a feeling of pressure which you will learn is the opposite of the state of mind where creativity flourishes.

Maybe you have already learned that you can’t just be creative on demand.  As an artist, I can tell you that creativity isn’t a switch you can magically flick to ‘on’ — it’s an energy that has to be tapped into, exercised, and nurtured.  

I have just created a new course called Creativity, Imagination, and Innovation.

I call myself a Creativity Advocate because my passions and background give me a unique take on the subject.  In fact, I come at the topic of creativity, imagination, and innovation from four different perspectives; business, art, meditation, and adult learning.

And that’s what my new course is all about; learning many ways to cultivate and nurture those flow states of creativity.

Does Intuition Impact Creativity?

You know what intuition is.  It’s an inner hunch; a clear knowing; a feeling in your gut that suddenly comes to you.

It’s that Eureka moment when a solution or new idea happens instantaneously where you wonder; where did this come from? 

Did you know that your creative intuition is an ability you can grow and strengthen?

When you can tap into this inner knowing, it’s like having a secret weapon.  bIt’s a completely different kind of intelligence than analytical reasoning.

One way to cultivate greater access to intuition and creativity is to practice meditation. 

Meditation is an entire module in my course.  

I am a Chopra certified meditation coach and I have been meditating for more than 25 years.  You learn why and how meditation connects you to your intuition.   And you experience how staying connected to this inner intelligence is like a superpower.

There are other ways to develop intuition too; like spending intentional time problem-solving;  saying; what can I do creatively with what is in front of me?

The more you practice problem-solving this way, the more you tap into your intuitive gifts.

What is Imagination?

When you think about imagination, what comes to mind?  Imagination and creativity are closely linked.

Imagination is the action of forming new ideas, or images or concepts of external objects not present to the senses.

The unique capacity of your human brain allows you to look back to the past and also anticipate things that could happen in the future.  

Humans have empathy; so we imagine what other people see and how they process information and how their circumstances make them feel.

So, hindsight, empathy, and foresight are all capabilities that human beings have to shape our lives.

Imagination is your source of creativity. 

Creativity puts your imagination to work.  Creativity is the application of your imagination.

Human beings are naturally creative.  We create our lives.

And Albert Einstein said “Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”

What is Innovation?

When you become more skilled at creativity and imagination and tapping into your creative intuition, then you are more capable of innovation.

Innovation is the what to creativity’s how.  It’s the way creativity gets applied out into the world.

Innovation is defined as the process of making an idea or invention into a good or service that creates value.

Remember: Creativity isn’t reserved for certain people who are more inspired or unique, it’s in us all just waiting for a chance to come out.

If you would like to learn more about using more of your creative potential, check out my course Creativity, Imagination, and Innovation.

Watch my 1 minute YouTube Video asking about the Meaning of Creativity.

View my video about The Importance of Play in Enhancing Creativity.

Take my Creativity Survey

Living Your Creative Potential is the title of this video.

Watch this video on Six Reasons to Cultivate Creativity

See how Meditation Enhances Creativity.

Sign up for my  Free Creativity Webinar

Learn how I view Creativity From Four Different Perspectives.

View my YouTube video; Improve Your  Innovation Skills

Watch my YouTube video; Say Yes to New Experiences

Find out more about Jane Ramsey