Creativity Information


Creativity And You


95 percent of what we know about the brain, we have learned in the last 20 years. So, your beliefs about creativity were probably shaped by faulty information.

For instance, many believe that only special, talented people are creative - and you have to be born that way.

Wrong.

The notion that geniuses such as Shakespeare, Picasso and Mozart were `gifted' is a myth, according to a recent study at Exeter University. Researchers examined outstanding performances in the arts, mathematics and sports, to find out if "the widespread belief that to reach high levels of ability a person must possess an innate potential calledtalent."

This particular study concludes that excellence is determined by five key elements:

  • opportunities

  • encouragement

  • training

  • motivation

  • practice (this one, most of all)

The research also indicates that few showed early signs of promise prior to parental encouragement, and no one reached high levels of achievement in their field without devoting thousands of hours of serious training. Consider Mozart who trained for 16 years before he produced an cknowledgedmasterwork.

Let me tell you a few more interesting facts about creativity:

- Research shows that everyone has creative abilities. The more training you have and the more diverse the training,the greater is your potential for creative output.

- Additionally, it has been shown that in creativity quantity equals quality. In fact, the longer the list of ideas, the higher the quality of the final solution. Typically, the highest quality ideas appear at the end of the list.

- The average adult thinks of three to six alternatives for any given situation. The average child thinks of 60.

- Creativity is an individual process. Traditional brainstorming has been proven ineffective because of fear of social disapproval.

- Groups are best for idea selection rather than idea generation.

All of this is interesting and enlightening but doesn't necessarily get to the root of the issue of creativity. I think there is one element even more important than the five mentioned above. Let me tell you a true story to illustrate what I think the prime factor in creativity is.

A New York publisher was concerned about the lack of creativity among his editorial and marketing staff. He hired psychologists to try to determine what differentiated the creative employees from the others. After a year of study, the psychologists discovered that there was only one difference between creative and non-creative employees: belief in their creativity. Creative employees believed they were creative, and the non-creative ones believed they were not.

So, you are creative, I guarantee it. All you have to do is believe me. Is that too much to ask?

Harry Hoover is managing principal of Hoover ink PR, http://www.hoover-ink.com. He has 26 years of experience in crafting and delivering bottom line messages that ensure success for serious businesses like Brent Dees Financial Planning, Duke Energy, Levolor, New World Mortgage, North Carolina Tourism, VELUX and Verbatim.


MORE RESOURCES:

Globe and Mail

Creativity trumps cute factor in Super Bowl ads
The Detroit News
Perhaps this is why the ads that left the biggest impressions — good and bad — are those that showed sparks of creativity and pathos. This is why Chevy deserves a gold star for its apocalyptic ad. In the spot, a man and his dog are shown in a truck ...
Creativity Top 5: Super Bowl XLVI EditionCreativity
KAMERA OBSCURE: This year's best/worst Super Bowl commercialsBall State Daily News
The Worst Super Bowl Tech AdsGizmodo
Syracuse.com -Midwest Sports Fans
all 1,510 news articles »


Creative options for extra money
Baruch College The Ticker
17, 2011 New York Times article, "College students replace poverty with creativity," Jennifer Conlin argues that even in this economic downturn, college students are able to save up and afford school in different creative ways. She highlights a student ...

and more »


The Nelson Mail

Creativity floats Krewe's boat
Monroe News Star
Krewe of Janus prepares floats last week for Mardi Gras parade at the Krewe Den. / Margaret Croft/The News-Star Above: The detail on a float for the upcoming Mardi Gras parade Saturday in Monroe. Right: Another member of the Krewe paints a sign for a ...
Library to hear late night Mardi Gras frock talkGay News Network (press release) (blog)
DID YOU GEAUX? HarborWalk kicks off the Mardi Gras season in styleDestin Log

all 16 news articles »


Citrus bumper crop bears creativity: It's time to peel, slice, squeeze and ...
Sacramento Bee
Or you can get really creative and use different kinds of teas. Chamomile adds an herbal note. If you can find a really nice jasmine tea, that adds a spectacular floral fragrance. This weekend, I finished a big meal with a salad of blood, Cara Cara and ...

and more »


Time for more creativity, collaboration
Iowa City Press Citizen
The situation gets somewhat better as the outside temperature rises, but even when the teenagers are on their very best behavior, the transfer period at the mall highlights a perceived lack of creative problem-solving skills among city and school ...

and more »


Growing Roster of MIPCube Speakers
MarketWatch (press release)
6, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- MIPCube, the two-day high-level networking and live learning experience for the business and creative architects driving the future of TV, is proud to announce an exceptional and growing line-up of speakers and ...

and more »


Southwestern spring theatre schedule celebrates creativity
Winfield Daily Courier Online
The lineup, including a classic drama, a heartfelt musical and improvisational comedy, celebrates and examines creativity, its nature and importance. The first production will be a staged reading of Henrick Ibsen's classic work “Hedda Gabler,” directed ...

and more »


IBNLive.com

Innovation and creativity move to the heart of the curriculum
IBNLive.com
Top schools have devoted considerable resources to entrepreneurship, from electives and specialist courses to in-house incubation centres to help groom the creative leaders of the future. While some business leaders question whether entrepreneurship ...

and more »


Hayes: Reflections on being caretakers of creativity
Midland Daily News
I honestly believe this is a most significant structure, not only as a functional building but also as a catalyst to generate new facts and new feelings in the creative lives of all who use it." The 2011/12 season marks the 40th anniversary of MCFTA ...

and more »


Pre-engineering program encourages creativity
Winfield Daily Courier Online
Through engaging, hands-on curriculum, the courses encourage development of problem-solving skills, critical thinking and creative and innovative reasoning. Through industry and university partnerships students get cutting edge technology and exciting ...

and more »

Google News

home articlestore.biz | site map
© 2007