You were born being creative.
Being creative is our birthright and here is why:
“I want to be creative!” blurted Mark* when he first came to see me. Mark is a professional in his early thirties who feels there is more life than just sitting at a desk drawing rows and columns of numbers for his boss. When I replied that he is indeed creative, he looked at me, mouth open.
Like many other professionals perhaps, Mark had not realized yet how his level of critical thinking marries well with his creativity. I understand… like many of us, he had been taught from a young age that logic and creativity apparently make poor bed fellows. But is true? Is it always true that critical thinking and creativity can never rally for the same cause?
Let’s find out…
When it comes to….
#1: PROPORTIONALITY
The great painter Leonardo Da Vinci and other Renaissance masters are known to have used the mathematical ratio of 1.618 (also called the Golden Ratio) to accurately determine proportionality. Proportionality is the ability to allot proportions that are aesthetically pleasing to the eye and deemed attractively beautiful.
Proportionality is the ability to see the big picture.
Before painters put brush to canvas, many of them invested massive hours visualizing what it is they wanted to see manifested on canvas. They got clear on their big picture. They spent time inward feeling it, tasting, it, sensing it. Relentless, they kept nurturing their big picture until they were able to draw a resonating sketch from their inner vision.
The clearer a painter is about their big picture, the more they might be able to sketch a vision with accurate proportions.
#2: DEPTH PERCEPTION
The word ‘depth’ is just another fancy way of saying ‘how deep’. When we measure the depth of one thing, we need to consider its length, height, and width. On top of this, we need to consider the distance between this one thing and another thing when we want to accurately experience depth perception.
Depth perception is the ability to put things in perspective.
One famous painter for his ability to challenge depth perception is Rembrandt. In many of his pantings, Rembrandt had his subject’s one eye looking directly at the viewer with their other eye looking off to the side. Talk about keeping an eye on all things!
The more a painter can hold in perspective various aspects of their big picture, the more they might be able to uphold and shift their vision when necessary.
#3: BRUSHSTROKE
This is often where we see the amateurs get separated from the professionals. For a painter, a brushstroke is not only the paint left on their canvas after by a single application of their brush, it also represents the configuration given to this paint, aka its textured form.
The master painter Monet was known for his fast brush strokes across his canvas in order to depict light. He said he loved depicting colours in new and experimental ways and this experiential way of expressing his passion became his beloved trademark.
Brushstroke is the ability to passionately contribute
singularly to an overall effect.
The more a painter lets their life experience guide their brushstrokes with a passionate heart, the more they might become known and valued for their work.
Let’s stop here for a moment… and ponder the question…
What does a painter and business person have in common?
I believe the answer is,
Proportionality
Depth perception
Brushstroke
‘How is this possible?’ you may ask.
Here’s why:
#1. In business, proportionality is about seeing the big picture.
Before a business person sets out an action plan, they usually invest massive hours visualizing what it is they want to see manifested in their business. They get clear on their big picture. They spend time inward feeling it, tasting, it, sensing it. Relentless, they keep nurturing their big picture until they are able to draw a resonating blueprint from their inner vision.
The clearer a business person is about the big picture, the more they might be able to draw an action blueprint with accurate proportions.
#2. In business, depth perception is about putting things in perspective.
The more a business person can hold in perspective various aspects of the big picture, the more they might be able to uphold and shift their vision when necessary.
#3. In business, brushstroke is about passionately contributing singularly to an overall effect.
This is often where we see the amateurs get separated from the professionals. For a painter, a brushstroke is not only the paint left on their canvas after by a single application of their brush, it also represents the configuration given to this paint, aka its textured form. The same is valid for a business person in the course of their business.
The more a business person lets their life experience guide their brushstrokes (actions) with a passionate heart, the more they will most likely become known and valued for their contribution/work.
Let’s recap…
What are three ways you are already creative and most likely did not know about?
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You have the ability to see the big picture and draw an action blueprint.
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You have the ability to put things in perspective.
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You have the ability to contribute singularly to an overall effect with heart passion.
Having said this… The main problem for my client Mark is that he did Not believe he is creative. He thought creativity was something outside of himself instead of something inherent to him.
So let me ask you…
Why do we stop being creative?
Why do we pursue brains over creativity?
I believe the answer is, because we think it will be better.
Is it though? How was Mark’s falsely believing critical thinkers can ‘never’ be creative ever going to make him access deeper levels of his own creativity? Clearly, thinking we are ‘non-creative’ does Not work.
With this in mind…
How do things become better?
I believe things become better when we focus on
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becoming self-aware. ‘Where am I showing creativity right now?’
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becoming intentional. ‘What can I do right now to increase my level of creativity?’
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becoming accountable. ‘How can I hold myself accountable so I keep tapping into my creativity?
I could certainly relate to Mark. For decades, I believed the lie that I could ‘never’ take beautiful pictures and, as a result, had stopped taking pictures altogether. It wasn’t until I learned to become self-aware, intentional, and accountable that I started taking pictures that I now believe have a vibrant clarity to them.
In conclusion, now that you know you are indeed a creative person,
What do you believe might be your greatest challenge?
My name is Anne Beaulieu and I am an Emotional Intelligence Coach who assists her clients in accessing deeper levels in their creativity so, like Mark, they get to apply their creativity both in business and personal life.
For coaching inquiries, connect with me at https://walkinginside.com/contact-us/ or reach out to me at anne@walkinginside.com
Your Emotional Intelligence Coach,
Anne
www.walkinginside.com
To know more ways of becoming a creative, visit https://fullmontyleadership.com
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