Despite...
the odds
the failures
the weather
the bank balance
the mood
the misunderstanding
the lack of knowledge
the fear
the outcome
Or, because of them. Either way, the work matters.
Creativity doesn't just happen. It's a process of persistent action both despite and because of constraints. And it's a good thing, otherwise both the work and the outcome would be pretty boring.
Dance with constraint...despite and because. Please dance.
…don’t mix well.
Creativity, or a lack thereof, has nothing to do with ability…being born with talent. It has everything to do with developing habits and skills by showing up and doing the work. And part of the work a creative employs is discomfort. Sometimes this comes through the rigor necessary to ship work. But it also comes from putting herself into unscripted, unexpected situations forcing an unplanned response, i.e., the creative act. Doing this over and over builds the creative skill and eventually leads to being comfortable with discomfort, even to the point of seeking it out.
Creativity isn’t reserved for some special group of talented artists. It’s for anyone who dares to innovate and lead change, and then chooses to do the work necessary to bring the ideas from concept to reality. Of course, it might not work…but that’s the risk and discomfort which comes with being creative. Otherwise, it’s just a thought.
Making something from scratch and in the moment is one of the most generous things we get to do…if we choose to. Choose wisely.