Here’s the thing most people believe about creativity:
Some people have it. Most don’t. The ones who have it make great content. The ones who don’t should stick to spreadsheets and non-creative tasks. Wrong. So wrong. Creativity isn’t a personality type, it’s a skill. The more you employ it, immerse yourself in it, the easier it gets. There’s also no excuses. The means of production are free, there’s unlimited advice online, tutorials on YouTube, etc. In fact, creativity is a solution to a lack of resources.
Also, creativity isn’t just painting stuff. Or video editing. Program development require some creativity, working with complex behaviours requires some creativity; mean what s adaptation if not creative response to constraints?
Creativity is not a talent. It’s a practice.
The difference between people who produce creative work and people who don’t is not ability – it’s habit, permission and process.
Where the myth comes from
The creativity myth is reinforced by how we talk about creative work. We describe great ideas as coming out of nowhere – flashes of inspiration, eureka moments, genius striking like lightning.
But that’s not how creativity actually works. My favourite story around this concept is one involving Picasso. Pablo Picasso was enjoying an espresso at a cafe whilst doodling on a napkin. He threw the napkin in the bin on his way out after finishing. Another patron who recognised him approached him and asked if she could have the napkin he threw out and would he sign it. He said he would only upon payment (a lot I don’t know how much). She protested that figure is ridiculous, as it only took him 3 minutes to draw.
He corrected her and stated that it took him 27+ years to draw it.
Again, he wasn’t struck by inspiration, he built it up within him through consistent effort.
Meaning every great idea is the result of:
- Exposure to a wide range of inputs (reading, watching, experiencing)
- Time to process and connect those inputs
- The willingness to produce bad ideas on the way to good ones
- A system for capturing and developing ideas before they disappear
None of those things require talent. All of them require practice.
Personally, when I pitch coach people they’ll remark that I’m just naturally good at this (presenting). Which isn’t true, and I’ll explain that when I drive I don’t listen to music, I talk out loud to myself. I answer questions nobody has asked. I practice for upcoming presentations, all kinds of stuff. My quick ‘good answer’ on the stage is the result of hours of practice in the car (and concerned looks of people in the car next to me at the traffic light).
Creativity in the disability sector
People in the disability sector often feel particularly uncreative, partly because the work is serious and the culture is professional, and partly because creative work feels self-indulgent when the priority is participant outcomes.
The sector desperately needs better creative thinking.
Better storytelling. Better campaigns. Better design. Better communications. These things directly improve outcomes, they determine whether people find your services, understand what you offer, and trust you enough to choose you.
Creativity is not a luxury. In a competitive NDIS market, it’s a competitive advantage.
In short. You are creative. Congratulations. Now lets build the muscle.
Exercise
Think of the last time you had a genuinely good idea, at work, at home, anywhere. Write down where you were and what you were doing when the idea came. Most people find their best ideas come in the shower, on a walk, or just before sleep. What does that tell you about the conditions creativity needs? What hobbies or activities loosen up your creative mindset? (for me it’s exercising and travelling)