DAY 367 - BECOMING MORE CREATIVE

Day 367

A couple of weeks ago, on his facebook page, my cousin posted a link to a talk on creativity by comedian John Cleese.  I watched it and, of course, it made me think about the relationship between creativity and happiness.  When we think about the greatest artists, poets, writers, etc, who have made history thanks to their tremendous imagination and creativity, we often think of tortured souls.  Funny enough, recent studies have shown that happiness breeds creativity more than misery does.  Creative expression probably serves as a catharsis when in pain,  but emotional despair is, according to studies, in no way conducive to creativity.

The reason why creativity is so important is that it can be used in all spheres of life.  Isn't it at the basis of problem-solving?  And, whether at work or at home, who has never been confronted with a problem that needs solving?

Some people believe that they are not creative.  In fact, creativity is within all of us, it is just a matter of finding a way to release it.

Here is a brief summary of Cleese's talk:

First of all, for Cleese, creativity is not a talent.  It is not an ability you have or don't have and it is not related to IQ.  It is a way of operating.

He believes there are two modes of operating: Open and Closed. Obviously, you are creative when you are open.

Closed

In this mode, creativity is not possible.  With everything we have to do, most of us tend to be in this mode most of the time.  The words associated with this mode are active, slightly anxious, impatient, a bit of tension, purposeful.

Open

We are in this mode when we are daydreaming, relaxing.  Words associated with this mode:  relaxed, expansive, contemplative, inclined to humor, playful, curiosity for curiosity sake, not under pressure.

In order to be creative,  you need to be in an open mode. Inversely, you need to be in a closed mode when implementing a solution.

According to Cleese, the problem is that we get stuck in the closed mode.

Specifically, Cleese outlines "the 5 factors that you can arrange to make your lives more creative”:

1) Space : “You can’t become playful, and therefore creative, 

if you’re under your usual pressures.”

2) Time: "It’s not enough to create space; you have to create

your space for a specific period of time.”

3) Time: “Giving your mind as long as possible to come up 

with something original,” and learning to tolerate 

the discomfort of pondering time and indecision.

4) Confidence: “Nothing will stop you being creative

so effectively as the fear of making a mistake.”

5) Humor: “The main evolutionary significance of humor is that

it gets us from the closed mode to the open mode quicker than anything else.”

I have noticed myself that whether I am writing, singing, drawing or doing anything else that requires me to be creative, If I think about it too much or I stress about getting it right, the result is never as good as when I feel relaxed and without any pressure.

And I feel great happiness when I'm being creative... no matter the area of my life involved!  So, taking the means to become more creative and be in a more "open mode" can only be beneficial in a quest for happiness!

Here is a link to Cleese's talk: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VShmtsLhkQg