Creativity | Unleashing Your Creativity: The Three-Step Journey
In a world that often demands constant innovation, the topic of creativity can be a source of frustration for many, including myself. I don't live off creativity, but I've long been perplexed by it.
I once experienced a peak creative moment abroad. Waking up in the morning, stretching lazily, running in the park for half an hour, and then sitting under a tree beside a spring to meditate – these were the days when my thoughts flowed freely. I wrote down my self-awareness and understanding of the world, guided by the sounds of the wind, water, and birds.
Creativity, as I understand it, is an inner force of expression, a liberating and fulfilling release of ideas.
My understanding deepened after reading “Stan Lai On Creativity". Here, I combine the theater director Stan Lai's perspectives with my insights to explore creativity in three steps: the emergence of desire, the storage and retrieval of inspiration, and the expression of desire.
Step 1: The Emergence of Desire
What is desire? It is something you yearn for, a problem that constantly troubles you. It's the motivation, the 'WHY'.
Have you ever envied someone's eloquent writing and felt an itch to write yourself, only to find clarity elusive? Perhaps the issue is not knowing what to express, but why to express it.
True expression should reveal your soul's journey – its confusions, struggles, joys, and awakenings. As Simon Sinek, a TED leadership speaker, says in his talk "How Great Leaders Inspire Action," start with 'WHY'. Without it, expressions are hollow.
Take Apple's example. If Apple marketed itself like this: "We make great computers with beautiful design and user-friendly interfaces. Want to buy one?" – you might walk away uninterested. This approach, common in marketing and self-expression, lacks a 'WHY'.
Apple actually communicates differently: "Everything we do challenges the status quo. We believe in thinking differently. Our products are beautifully designed, simple to use, and user-friendly." This difference in expression stems from a core 'WHY'. As the saying goes, "People don't buy what we do; they buy why we do it."
Why do many once-popular artists fail to produce impactful songs later in life? Perhaps because they lose their initial creative desire and 'WHY', getting too comfortable or indulging in external acclaim.
Step 2: Storing and Retrieving Inspiration
Where do you store your memories, and how do you retrieve them? I once believed memory storage was linear and logical, like a computer hard drive. However, I realized this was a constraint of my educational background.
Theater Director Stan Lai's experience with his play "A Dream Like a Dream" shifted my understanding. Memories are not stored linearly or rationally but divergently and associatively.
Inspirations and memories are stored and retrieved divergently and associatively.
The most profound memories come from the heart. The more open your heart, the deeper the impact.
Knowing when to let go is wisdom. For creatives, letting go is a skill that needs practice.
Step 3: The Expression of Desire
How do we express our desires? I believe in the "Input-Encode-Output" model.
Input: Accumulate expressive structures and methods from various fields. This year, I've tried learning new domains like swing dance, astrology, coaching, project management, and even drawing. Each field teaches a unique way to express ideas.
Output: Connect, cross boundaries, and practice. Whether it's branding and marketing in education or setting up a venue, I constantly transform inputs into outputs, applying them in work and life. You can do that as well! Find opportunities to give your output, whether it is by writing a blog or drawing a piece of art.
Encoding: Be patient for your unique catalyst and be aware of your innate way of expressing. Like my friend and I, we have different approaches to life and expression. Embrace your unique story and expression style.
Creativity is a journey of understanding and expressing our deepest desires, storing and retrieving inspirations in unique ways, and finding our distinct modes of expression. It's about being patient, embracing our uniqueness, and continually learning and adapting.
This is the path to a wellspring of creativity.