tap into your creativity

What an unusual statement from John Cleese about creativity, I thought. I am used to more flowery and intangible statements about creativity, but this sums it up so primally for me and how I like to operate. But I’ve found it is underestimated and misunderstood.

I stumbled on this wonderful time trip of a profound observation from 1991 on management and creativity. He articulates the creative journey and the importance of the creative process within operational management.

"People at work operate in one of two modes: open and closed. Creativity can not happen in the closed mode, which is where we usually live. The closed mode is important for execution, once you've decided on a path in the open mode."

Some food for thought… Are you in the closed mode?

There are certain things you can do to get yourself into the open mode.

You'll need…

Space

Create a physical separation from the demands that keep you in the closed mode.

"You can't become playful and therefore creative if you're under your usual pressures."

Time

Create that space for a specific, predetermined period.

"It's not enough to create space; you have to create your space for a specific period of time."

Time (again)

Take the time to persevere past the discomfort that comes from not having a solution yet (ask yourself "when does this decision have to be made?").

"Giving your mind as long as possible to come up with something original"

Confidence

Don't be afraid that moving in some direction will be "wrong" ("you can't be spontaneous with reason"); while you're being creative, there is no "wrong".

"Nothing will stop you being creative so effectively as the fear of making a mistake."

Humor

Humour is an essential part of spontaneity and playfulness and doesn't remove from the seriousness of the work.

"The main evolutionary significance of humour is that it gets us from the closed mode to the open mode quicker than anything else."

Do you struggle with creating openness in your working process? Are you feeling the need to unleash your creativity in a friendly and open space? - check out the Grow Abstract Art workshop in Coventry this July…