Chapter 1: The Myth of Originality

Many of us have muttered phrases like, “I can’t do that; I’m just not creative.” I personally have voiced similar thoughts countless times and have heard them echoed by those around me. However, through my journey in writing and sharing online, I’ve come to realize how misguided this belief is.

Now, I confidently declare: I am incredibly creative!

If you’ve ever found yourself expressing those same disheartening words, consider this perspective:

1. Creativity is a Blend of Ideas

   The notion that every idea must be entirely original is a misconception that can be liberating to dismiss. Creativity stems from the inspiration of others; all innovative concepts are merely fresh combinations of existing thoughts.

Embrace this truth, and you’ll find it easier to begin crafting your own works. Maria Popova, the brilliant mind behind The Marginalian, articulated this idea beautifully:

“Creativity is combinatorial; nothing is wholly original, and all creations build on prior works. We create by taking existing fragments of inspiration, knowledge, skills, and insights we acquire throughout our lives and reassembling them into extraordinary new creations.”

Understanding this can free you from the burden of needing to lock yourself away, frantically attempting to generate entirely new concepts. Remarkable work often arises from connecting previously unlinked ideas or presenting them from a fresh perspective.

I’ve had to overcome the feeling that enhancing my own ideas is akin to cheating. I even questioned whether it was acceptable to recycle sections from my previous articles. Shouldn’t all writing come directly from spontaneous thoughts?

As it turns out, it doesn’t have to.

The image of a brain with a flicked switch? It was created by Nate Kadlac, who adeptly combined two existing images in design software to produce his own interpretation. Was it 100% original? No. Was it creative? Absolutely!

2. Finding Your Unique Voice Through Imitation

   In my recent completion of an online writing course, Write of Passage, one lesson resonated deeply with me: the power of imitation.

The concept is straightforward yet counterintuitive: imitate first, then innovate. Pay attention to what captivates you in your daily life—what evokes emotion or admiration? Start by mimicking those aspects.

Ensure you attribute or reference your sources but closely imitate what you admire. This serves as your foundation.

As you copy, you’ll notice your own style emerging, often marked by moments of resistance during the imitation process. Perhaps you admire a website’s design but dislike its structure. Feel free to replicate the design, alter the color scheme, and rearrange elements as you wish.

By imitating a writer whose style you admire, you’ll discover your own voice, perhaps incorporating more visual elements along the way. Before you know it, you’ll have developed a style distinctly your own.

The key takeaway is that there’s no need to start from scratch; doing so can be paralyzing.

3. Creativity Goes Beyond Artistic Skills

   While it may seem apparent, it was a revelation for me: creativity is not confined to artistic talent.

Artistic skill encompasses the abilities needed to create visual art, music, or performance. However, being creative means using your imagination to generate ideas and solve problems. Essentially, we all possess this ability.

Writing a summary of a book’s key points in a blog post? That’s creative. Implementing a digital filing system tailored to your needs? Creative. Setting up a website or linking to your previous writings? Creative.

Even if you never share your work publicly, consider the creativity involved in crafting a meal from random ingredients or planning an engaging birthday party for a large group of children.

You see the point.

Implications for Your Creative Journey

As I continued to label myself as “not creative,” I realized it was simply an excuse to avoid creating and to envy those who do.

So, what can you begin doing today?

Start Sharing Your Creations

With the understanding that originality isn't a requirement, there’s no need to delay sharing your work. Austin Kleon’s book, Share Your Work, offers excellent insights on this topic.

Consider becoming a documentarian of your own process. Keep a journal to jot down thoughts, record audio reflections, or maintain a scrapbook. Capture photographs of your projects at various stages. These days, many of us have a powerful multimedia studio within our smartphones.

If sharing your own work feels daunting, begin with curation. This involves sifting through existing content, selecting the most impactful ideas, and adding your unique perspective. Curating requires judgment and adds a layer of creativity.

Perhaps compile a list of your favorite books or podcasts. My most viewed article (26k views!) was simply a compilation of my go-to tools and apps.

In an age flooded with content, curation holds just as much significance.

Be Selective with Your Content Consumption

The principle of “Garbage In, Garbage Out” (GIGO) is vital to remember. The quality of your ideas is directly influenced by the quality of the content you consume.

To generate intriguing ideas, seek out captivating material. Limit exposure to news and social media while prioritizing books, newsletters, and engaging podcasts. Be discerning in your choices.

Become an Observer

Learn to notice the connections in the world around you, as Leonardo da Vinci suggested: “Everything connects to everything else.”

Absorb inspiration from your surroundings—whether it’s a friend’s text, a quote in a film, or an observation during a walk.

This aspect of writing—and any creative endeavor—is exhilarating. You’ll begin to perceive the world through a lens of ideas, recognizing links that previously went unnoticed.

Establish a system for collecting your thoughts, pictures, and notes to keep track of your ideas.

Thank you for reading! If you found this exploration beneficial, consider subscribing to my bi-monthly mailing list, where I share additional insights and resources geared toward fostering a creative mindset.

And if you’re contemplating joining Medium, I’d appreciate it if you used this link to sign up (I’ll receive some credit if you do). Thank you!

Chapter 2: Igniting Your Creative Spark

In this chapter, we will explore ways to activate your creative energy and how to maintain it over time.

The first video, "How to Be More Creative: Flip On Your Inner Creativity Switch," discusses practical strategies to harness your creative potential.

The second video, "Flip Your Creativity Switch ON! Don't Wait for Inspiration," encourages you to take action and not wait for the perfect moment to create.