Creativity

I view creativity as a very personal experience, and one that is a uniquely different process for each of us.  For me personally, creativity is experienced under an appropriate set of conditions and circumstances.  First and foremost of these is a prompt of some sort.  It doesn’t have to be related to anything specific, but simply a topic to ponder or problem to solve that generates a series of thoughts.  It helps if the topic is interesting or deals directly with creative elements, such as a discussion around a new business model or a well-designed product, but its not an absolute requirement.  A positive mood is helpful, though some of my best, and certainly most motivating, sessions of creative thought have come during bouts of frustration in which I have a strong desire to change the status quoi.  The right environment is also key, as I tend to think best in more open spaces with significant natural light. These are generally the conditions under which I am most creative.  Though it sounds a bit nebulous and undefined, I prefer it this way .  Since the requirements  are so loosely defined, it is possible for them to  occur at any point during the day, and in most any location or environment.  But they are also specific enough to be created and cultivated if needed.  For me, creativity is a feeling, one I am lucky enough to be able to experience both spontaneously and through will power. 

To be specific, I’ll outline some ways in which I try to force the creative feeling.  It starts with movement.  In Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), there is a part where one of the characters says “I’m better when I move.”  I feel the same way.  I don’t have to be going anywhere, but standing, pacing, or even tossing a ball escalate my train of thought – and usually in a progressive manner.  Alcohol always helps - Johnny Walker Red especially.  I spent some time in sub-Saharan Africa where there was nothing to do but drink Johnny Walker Red.  Boredom can certainly spawn creativity.  I am not sure whether it was the scotch or the boredom that led to creativity, but hours and hours of nothing to do led to hundreds of pages of thoughts and ideas, and I am convinced the brand is my own personal creativity elixir.  I am comfortable with the fact that this is probably 99% psychological.

Other tools I like to use include reading.  I specifically seek out business articles related to marketing or entrepreneurship, and lifestyle articles on design, urban planning, or similar topics.  As mentioned above, environment is probably most critical.  Creative spaces lead to creative thought, whether its as small as a cubicle you cater to accommodate your own personal style, or as large as a city.  In my opinion, there is a funneling affect working in two directions; the city influencing individual spaces, the individual spaces influencing the city.  It’s a lot of why I chose Texas for graduate school; because it was in Austin.  You can certainly be creative in Cleveland, Ohio, but its easier when the creative elements of space cascade downward; from the city, to the neighborhood, to a house, to a room, to the person sitting in it.  New Orleans is my preferred exampled of this.  Creativity is deposited like silt from the river to where you have no other choice than to walk on top of it.  Watching people is also important; not necessarily interacting with them, but certainly watching them.

All of these conditions, whether taken individually or in the collective, help me be creative.  But I do think creativity is possible at an organizational level.  I see value in group brainstorming sessions.  However, I am naturally introverted, so my most creative moments will tend to be solitary.  But I see value in the ability to sample from and feed off the ideas of others.  I am not one to come up with a specific idea I feel strong about during a group activity, but if I due several hours later, I do notice and respect the impact of those brainstorming sessions on the end idea.   Most important to fostering creativity in an organizational is a culture that appreciates and cultivates it.  I have not been fortunate enough to work for any organizations of this nature.

I agree Jonah Lehrer’s article and I practice much of the tactics he sites.  I especially believe in alcohol, reading, alone time, and “feelings of knowing” in the creative process.  I also agree with Steve Jobs’ assertion, though he is not the only one to make it, that “creativity is just connecting things.”  I have always strived to live a diverse life and experience different backgrounds as I believe being well informed, well versed, and well rounded is critical to being able to piece disconnected patters together in ways that provide novel solutions to problems.  It’s why I have always enjoyed bartending.  Part of your role as a bartender is to be knowledgeable on a wide range of topics, so that you can connect with as many of your customers as possible.  Your customers then contribute to your knowledge base through the conversation in a reinforcing cyclical pattern.  And all of it is information that can be stored away as ammunition for the next moment of creative inspiration.  Oddly enough, blue is my favorite color.  And I feel strangely more alert and cleverer when I am sleep deprived.  It’s a simultaneously delightful and miserable experience. As for thinking like a child, I have long asserted that there are a handful of activities all men should be allowed to do, regardless of age; build sand castles, play with Lego blocks, and explore any geographic location.   Lastly, I do think we as individuals should trust our senses when it comes to creativity.  I’ll re-iterate, I consider it a very personal and unique process.  Anyone can be creative, either all the time, or when they want to. It’s a state of mind, a feeling, and a glorious one at that.