The Accidental Creative
This is probably the best book I have read on the creative process. I could see myself and a lot of people I know in its pages as I read through it. And I don’t think of myself as a creative type!
I really liked the idea of developing a creative rhythm. It connects with the idea of living intentionally, which I believe is a key to being successful and productive. More and more I am finding myself in situations that require creativity, and I’ve noticed that there are certain times I naturally have more creative energy than other times. Paying attention to that rhythm and planning for it just makes sense.
Understanding that creativity is a process one can influence was a key insight for me. I think I’ve been guilty at times of waiting for the bolt of lightning to break through. With that is the importance of setting yourself up to be creative. I have never connected the importance of learning, investing in relationships, and having new experiences as elements that factor into my creativity, although as soon as Henry said the words it seemed obvious.
Finally, the idea that your creative muscles can be damaged or worn down was intriguing to me. I’ve certainly seen that in relation to other areas, but, again, I never connected it to creativity. You can’t be “always on” in terms of being creative, just as you can’t in any other area. Again, it highlights the importance of developing a rhythm, one that includes times of taking in and restocking and other times of output.
What did you connect with? Are there other things you’ve learned regarding creativity that you would add?