Is it like Linda Naiman, specialist in creation and innovation, says? “Creativity is a function of Leadership. It requires navigating uncharted territory and having the courage to face adversity to bring your vision into fruition”
Good morning, it is 8am in Bogotá and I’m writing this week’s blog in the midst of the Andes Mountains. Contrary to what you may think, it can be chilly here in the capital of Colombia, especially in the morning hours. The reason for this is that we are at the mean height above sea level of 2,262 meters, the third highest capital of South America. I have lived here full time for six years and now, even though I’m living in Menorca I still spend time here.
It is a vibrant and somewhat chaotic city with a special and endearing charm. Maybe the Colombian slogan is true? “Colombia, the greatest risk is that you would want to stay”.
Anyway, now that you know where I am I have decided to write to you about creativity, we touched on the subject briefly in my Course, Coaching the brain with Joseph O’Connor. And I found the question “where does creativity come from?” very interesting.
If we define creativity as the use of imagination or original ideas to create something, then there is an element of creativity in many places and not just in the arts. Just as Linda Naiman, puts it “Creativity is a function of Leadership. It requires navigating uncharted territory and having the courage to face adversity to bring your vision into fruition”.
Doing an exercise that Joseph O’Connor gave me I realised that I had different creative processes depending on the task at hand; writing my blog, playing the piano, preparing for a course, decorating my house, deciding what to make for dinner or even applying my knowledge to a new Coaching client.
When I write my blog, I mostly have it written in my head before I put it down on paper.
However, some weeks there hasn’t been a thinking space for me to create it and then whoops it is Thursday and I have no blog. And now that I have created this thing with over 1000 readers and the readers tell me they wait for my blog every Friday, it inspires me to keep going.
Joseph O’Connor, who has written around 20 books,they have been translated into 21 languages, said something about writer’s block, that has stayed with me ever since.
He said that writer’s block, which seems to be an accepted condition, isn’t real. One of his arguments was we don’t say painters block or actors block, just to mention two and you can inspire yourself to write.
So ever since my course I have had no excuse for not writing. I can write something, even if it is Thursday and I have meetings and my daughter to attend to.
This morning before my meeting I thought “how do I create a blog for tomorrow?” It was the word create that got me going, together with Joseph O’Conner’s voice in my head “there is no writer’s block”.
Have you thought about your own creative processes? How do you create? Do you create in your head first? Do you draw or doodle? Do you dance or go for a walk? Do you eat or drink something? Do you read or watch something? Or is it something entirely different? Have you even ever thought about it?
I hope you are as happy as you want to be and remember it is free to be nice.
Best wishes
Ivalo