Getting To Know Creativity
By Ben Dean, Ph.D.

From Authentic Happiness Newsletter, Volume 2, Number 12

Creativity

Definition

            A creative person is someone who comes up with ideas that are  (1) original and (2) useful. 

            Like all strengths, creativity exists on a continuum.  Some find it helpful to distinguish between “little c” creativity and “Big C” Creativity.  Big C Creativity is reserved for once in a lifetime, creative acts.  (Think Einstein, DaVinci, or Edison.)  In contrast, little c creativity refers to day-to-day creativity.

Points To Consider

·        People are much less creative when they are under time pressure, when they are being scrutinized and judged by others, and when external circumstance limit the range of options available.

·        Hard work is often a prerequisite for creativity, particularly Big C Creativity.  Big C artists, inventors, scientists, and writers spend years mastering their respective domains before making a valued creative contribution. 

·        In order for an idea or product to be considered creative, it typically has to be complete.  Who knows how many potentially Big C Creative manuscripts or paintings remain forever unfinished?

Situations To Approach And Avoid When Exercising Your Creativity

·        People are much less creative when they are under time pressure, when they are being scrutinized and judged by others, and when external circumstances limit
      the range of options available. 

·        In contrast, creativity is encouraged by environments that are supportive,  reinforcing, open, and casual.  

·        Dr. Barbara Frederikson, author of the “Broaden and Build” theory of positive emotion, suggests that positive emotions are evolutionarily adaptive because they trigger a broadening of our mental state. Creativity is much more likely to occur when we are open to new ideas and new experiences.

·        Supporting this “broaden and build” theory, researchers found that participants in a happy mood outperformed participants in a negative or neutral mood on a task requiring a creative solution (Isen, Daubman, & Nowicki, 1987). 

Take Home Message

·        When you or your clients want to exercise your creativity, try doing something first that you know will put you in a happy, relaxed mood.  Avoid criticism (and this includes self-criticism!) and time-pressured situations when possible.  Finally, recognize that creativity often requires work, work, and more work.  (Stay tuned for a future E-newsletter about the character strength of perseverance!)

Just Do It

·        Finally, it is interesting to note that people are more likely to be creative when they are (drumroll please) told to be creative!  So if you want to exercise your creativity, then just do it!