"The principle mark of genius is not perfection but originality, the opening of new frontiers." - Arthur Koestler
We put a lot of emphasis on hard work and perfection and rightly so, there is something to putting effort into what we do, and doing our very best. Working hard and doing good work should be rewarded over efforts that are sloppy and uninspired. But, today isn't about this truth.
Today I'm thinking of Koestler's quote above because it seems that sometimes the hard work needs to stop in order for creativity to enter. Have you ever tried to work at being creative?! Last week I was in a workshop where we were asked to work in a small group and paint something creative and given a time limit to complete the project. I found this extremely difficult, most likely because I'm not artistically gifted, but perhaps because I don't find that originality comes from my work. I can't seem to make creativity happen.
In my experience I don't make creativity, but rather creativity finds me.
It comes to me not in the work, but when the work actually stops. It comes in the stillness of an empty room, in the walk around the block, in the car all by myself or most often in the shower. Yes, that's right, in the shower. I can't tell you how many times after a long shower that my wife asks me, "so what did you come up with while you were in there today?" So, for me the water bill is worth it, because I'm paying for more than the water!
This doesn't mean that I don't play a part in creativity, quite the opposite, I have to clear away a lot for creativity to even have the space to enter the room. I think it's because I fill my life with so much, I rarely leave the space for creativity to enter. I'm probably not alone.
Here's to creating more space, for making the room for creativity!
Troy Vande Lune
Big Rock Leader