You don’t have to read much of Seth Godin’s book, We Are All Weird, to get the message.
The new normal is weird.
It’s a comforting thought for us creatives. How often have you come up with a great idea, only to have it shot down (by others or yourself) because it seemed odd? If weird is now normal, we don’t have to create unique products that still fit within the range of normal expectations.
And yes… I’m aware of the irony in that statement. But isn’t that what we’ve been trying to do? Be original, but not different?
Even with Godin’s manifesto proclaiming that it’s okay to be different, pure creativity will never be easy. Here’s why…
Creativity is a rules-free zone.
The act of creating is like exploration. It requires that we go anywhere our imagination can take us. Rules stop the process.
The problem is we live in a society that’s built on rules. If you work in corporate America, for instance, you have to turn on creativity like a faucet. It’s on at 8 a.m. and off at 5 p.m. Cool it off when the boss is talking. Heat it up when a deadline looms.
We’re expected to color within the lines. But the restraint we must exercise to do so builds an electric fence around the imagination. Exploration can only go as far as the edge of the fence. Get too close, and you get zapped. Get zapped too often, and you stop trying.
In order to be creative, you have to have permission to come up with some really weird stuff. In other words, no rules. Then sift through the weird, and you’ll likely find gold.
Creativity needs a stress-free environment.
Julia Cameron has made her living “unblocking” artists and writers so they can develop creativity. She does this by getting people to release negative emotions about themselves and others.
It’s more psychotherapy than art class. But it works. That’s probably because negative emotions — anger, bitterness and fear, for example — are tied to stress. And stress stifles creative expression.
What I’m saying goes against the grain. Some of the most creative people in history lived tortured lives. I don’t believe stress birthed their creativity, though. The miracle is that they were able to create in spite of the stress.
To heighten your creativity, don’t ignore the stressors in your life. Deal with them. As you find release from negative emotions and find peace with yourself, your creative juices will start to flow.
Creativity takes courage to express itself.
Creativity isn’t generally accepted by people who embrace “normal.” It tends to inspire judgment from the less imaginative types.
If they haven’t seen it before, it’s not right. If they haven’t experienced it themselves, it isn’t possible. If a celebrity hasn’t endorsed it, it isn’t valuable.
We creatives need to have faith to stand up against that kind of resistance. Here’s how Godin says it:
“Are you confident enough to encourage people to do what’s right and useful and joyful, as opposed to what the system has always told them they have to do? Should we make our own choices and let others make theirs?
We need to have faith in our own ability to come up with good ideas. Then we need the follow-through to breathe life into them so others can see the things we imagine.
Every new idea appears weird until it’s accepted.
It’s true.
Take indoor plumbing for example…
I once knew a man who was the 17th of 18 children. He grew up on a small farm and used an outhouse until he was a teenager. To this day he says it feels weird to do “that” in the house.
Weird.
Why? Because it’s different from what he grew up with.
Creativity requires the faith and courage to imagine things you’ve never seen before and do things you’ve never done. It all starts with believing in your own ideas and in your ability to make them real.
photo credit: ellenm1
