Dr. Michael R. MacDonald
This is an update to one of my favourite articles, How to Live a Creative Life When You are “Not Creative’. I wanted to add a few anecdotes and to tie these ideas into the new focus (A Warm Heart, A Strong Mind) of this site and blog.
A warm heart and strong mind can help you become more creative.
It can help people who are already quite creative. Seth Godin is a prime example. He defines creativity as a generous act of giving something of yourself to the world. I wrote about this powerful idea in an earlier post. His long and highly productive career has been an inspiration to millions of people.
A warm heart and strong mind can also help those just starting to experiment with creative projects. You will find a few ideas, below, to help you start getting some meaningful thinkings done.
Here a few practical ideas from people who know a few things about what creativity really is.
Let’s start with Sir Paul McCartney.
Sir Paul McCartney
First, a couple of interesting stories I heard recently on the Beatles Channel.
Sir Paul celebrated a birthday recently (June 18, 1942) and is still going strong. He still loves writing music and performing. In an interview, he revealed that he has so many song ideas coming to him that he wishes he had more time to develop them. He records ideas on his phone, when they come to him, and has over 2,000 waiting to be turned into songs.
He has a reputation as one of the hardest working musicians, even compared to other members of the Beatles. One of the Beatles (I can’t remember who said this) recalled a typical morning routine. As the others were having breakfast, John was still in bed. And Paul had already been up and had written a new song.
A Creative Process
Sir Paul is well-known for his relaxed approach to writing songs. For instance, he frequently comes into the studio with a vague idea for a song. Then, by collaborating with others, he sees if anything worthwhile might emerge.
For Paul McCartney, creativity is not always about the end result. The creative process can also produce important benefits. He explained in a story he told on the Beatles channel about such benefits.
“Playing the guitar or piano is a good thing to help you work out your troubles. When you get in a down mood or in a dark place I just go somewhere and start playing. At first, it is almost like I am telling my troubles to my guitar. Sometimes when I keep playing, some ideas may develop – maybe even a song. And then I start working on that. Then I feel even better because now something good is happening. I am starting to make something and I feel a little creative.”
It would not be fair to the rest of us mere mortals to compare ourselves with such a legend. But we can learn a few things to get us moving in the right direction.
When you think of being creative do you start to feel a little freer? Or do you quickly freeze up with frustration or self-doubt? Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing.
#1 Getting Started is the Hardest Part
But probably the most important.
To get started on creative projects, you need some time and space that you can call your own. It doesn’t have to be much to start, just a little area devoid of other distractions.
And then you want to start getting busy. As Madeleine L’Engle the award-winning writer and poet says, “Inspiration usually comes during work, rather than before it.”
Some people are hesitant to start because they are waiting for some good ideas to pop into their heads. Seth Godin, a well-known author, suggests that doing anything, even if it is bad, is the best way to get to the good stuff. Even moving in the wrong direction is better than not moving at all.
#2 But What if I am Not a Creative Person
Brené Brown has an answer for this form of self-doubt and avoidance.
She says, “There is no such thing as creative people and non-creative people. There are just people who use their creativity and people who don’t.” (from Chase Jarvis, Creative Calling).
Yes, some people are very good at traditional forms of drawing, painting or writing. But, that shouldn’t stop you from doing things your own way. For example, some people who can only draw stick figures have enjoyed creating collages. Pinterest is full of great examples.
I just finished reading the book, Just Kids, by Patti Smith. It is a memoir of an artistic life and of her relationship with fellow artist Robert Mapplethorpe. She is known for her visual art, poetry and music. Although, he is more famous for his explicit and controversial photography, his earlier art work centred around making collages. If you ever yearn for life as a starving, but totally committed, artist this book is for you.
#3 Ideas Don’t Happen in a Vacuum
Even the most talented people need stimulation to spark the fires of their creativity. New ideas can come from trial and error, making mistakes, or by copying from others and adding your own twist.
For some people, creating comes more easily and feels more fulfilling when done with supportive others. Ringo Starr says he only likes playing drums in the company of other musicians.
With company, you can give each other ideas and suggestions or good-heartedly make fun of each other. Laughter can go a long way. The secret to making this work is an atmosphere of non-judgment.
#4 Creativity Can be a Generous Act
This delightful story would make Seth Godin smile. It was written by Chris Colin (New York Times series entitled, It’s Never Too Late) and is about how Russell Ellis discovered his muse at age 85, in a most unexpected way.
This story is also featured in my ebook, How to Feel Younger at Any Age (available free from A Warm Heart.
One day, Mr. Ellis was introduced to a friend of his housekeeper. He didn’t ask her name and later felt upset at his disrespect for her.
He wanted to make amends. So he learned her name, Eliza, and promised to sing it to her next time she came by.
Then, according to Mr. Ellis, something strange shook loose in him.
“A song walked right in. Eliiiiiza. Eliiiiiiiiiza. And then the urge kept coming.”
Then, with the help of some musician friends, he kept on creating over the following year. He ended up recording his first ever album, Songs from My Garden, consisting of 11 original songs.
He’d always been a laborer, but during this year, he felt a creative abandon he’d never known before.
For people feeling stuck in their life, Mr. Ellis recommends doing something that involves other people. Even if you are doing it for one other person.
A generous spirit can be a powerful source of energy and motivation. Just like a warm heart.
What is holding you back? Does the word creativity instill some resistance in you? You can always work on a new project and not tell anyone about it. Or you can shout your ideas from a mountain top. Are you ready to start creating the life you want?
Parts of this article were originally published at Sixtyandme.com.
Until next time, let our warm hearts soar!
Michael
michael@aWarmHeart.ca
And thank you for caring that little bit extra – it really makes a big difference.
