Creativity: For Anyone, At Any Age
In today’s environment, organizations striving to be innovative often go down the wrong path by looking for the imaginative people, then asking serious questions about how to make everyone else creative. The truth is, they have no idea how creativity works.
MISCONCEPTION: Only some special people are creative.
Everyone is creative. Go and visit a children’s daycare. You’ll see a room full of children who, without any guidance at all, find things to do and make. Give them crayons and a few examples, and you’ll have to force them to stop at lunchtime and remind them to eat. This doesn’t go away as they grow up. If you think you’ve lost your creativity over the years, think again!How do you uncover the creativity deep within you?
Slow down and reflect inward. The experts say this is the best way to tap into your inner creativity. Some of the greatest inventors and creative talents had their own unique ways of slowing down, reflecting inward and solving a creative dilemma that led to a great innovation. Thomas Edison actually had a problem with stealing. He was famous for taking someone else’s idea and then improving it or thinking of another way to apply it.Leonardo da Vinci would take a paint-filled sponge and throw it at the wall. Then he’d study the shape of the paint splatter, finding different images in the random splotches. He’d look at these images, searching for inspiration.
You can learn from the legends of innovation — da Vinci, Edison, Einstein — and find your own creative pathway. Here are some of their interesting creative tricks.
80 is just a number.
Take a look at some of the achievements of some of the most famous octogenarians in America.
- Jimmy Carter – 39th president of the United States, published six books since turning 80, one of which won a Grammy Award in the spoken-word audiobook category.
- Joe Paterno – Penn State football coach for over 44 years, led the Nittany Lions to an Alamo Bowl win at age 80. He recently extended his contract until 2011.
- Betty White – Best known for her roles in The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Golden Girls, Betty has appeared in eight films, was a guest on a number of television series and earned 3 Emmy nominations since turning 80.
Creativity Quizzes
And if you’re still skeptical as to how creative you really are, try doing a couple of simple online exercises. We found these interesting and fun:
Creativity Quiz is filled with information on some of the most common, innovative modern-day inventions.
This quiz will help you discover just how creative you really are.
The 6-Minute Creativity Quiz poses 10 questions and nifty Web scoring to help you realize your creative potential.
Creativity is important to your overall wellness.
Creativity helps keep us mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically the healthiest and most vibrant. How? Because it gives us a way to connect with the world through imagination — like those little children — and the benefits are far-reaching. Creativity:
- Encourages the mind to see the world in new ways
- Nurtures problem-solving skills
- Helps to process and work through emotional issues
- Fosters community involvement
- Promotes physical activity
- Connects the inner spirit to the physical world, giving the spirit a voice
Do you have the time to be creative?
We think everyone does — especially if you find yourself free from structured time and obligatory routine. Take the time to reflect and daydream a little. Discover how you feel most comfortable and authentic in the creative process. At Redstone, we’ll help, as we celebrate the creative endeavors of all our residents.
It is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and
The lives of people who love you.
When you learn to tap this resource, you will have defeated age.