In spite of not
being a big physics fan, I always found the story behind Archimedes’ Principle to
be very interesting. Archimedes came up with this law as he lay in his bath
tub. Elated to find out that he just discovered something that explained a
phenomenon, he proclaimed “Eureka! Eureka!” which translates into “I found it”.
Human beings have always been creative in all stages of evolution. Perhaps the
need for survival kept the creative side of man alive. Discoveries and
inventions are impossible without creativity. We often compliment writers and
artists for their works. But is creativity restricted only to a specific group
of people and companies? The answer is No. Every person around is creative. The
means to display creativity can vary.
Great ideas
emerge when we think out of the box. Innovation is the product of creativity. When
I ask someone, “Could you write a short article about your experience at a
trip?” The usual answer that I get is, “Ah, let’s see. I am not really good at
writing.” Sometimes these answers come without even giving a thought. Surely,
people have specific forte. But it is important to discover your creative side.
Without creativity, we are just a bunch of robots who do what they are asked
to. Creativity can only come out if you are passionate about something. For
example, someone who has excellent culinary skills tries out variations in the
daily style of cooking or comes up frequently with new recipes. The outcome of
such experiments may not always be positive. Yet that can be taken as a lesson
to do better. The first step to discover the creative side is to ask yourself,
“What am I really good at? What am I greatly inclined to?” Once you get that
answer, you start taking steps in that direction.
Creativity is
subjective and hence two persons cannot have the same view about an idea. Recently
I was involved in an initiative which required me to come up with ideas and
also edit the write-ups contributed by people. This initiative was a means to
encourage people to contribute their experiences, or so I thought. I found some
amateurish write-ups also to be well articulated. I considered this initiative
as a platform to give thrust to writing and an opportunity for all those who
wanted to try a hand at writing. However, the people I was working with were
not of the same view. Their idea and perception of creativity was totally
different than mine. They emphasized more on cutting short the write-ups,
without even realizing that the essence would have been lost. Hence I faced
creative differences with them. What was creative for them was not creative
enough for me and vice versa.
Creativity does
not mean only to come out with new paintings, new recipes, a new book or
something snobbish. It can be applied in daily lives as well. It should help in
some or the other way to ease the way of doing things. For example, when I was
a beginner at using Microsoft Excel, I resorted to long cuts to organize my
data. It consumed my time considerably. I needed some alternative to finish the
given piece of work faster. I tried to get better by observing my colleagues
and of course by resorting to Google, which taught me good number of keyboard
shortcuts. When you face a problem and try to find solutions for it, you are in
fact being creative because you want to make life easier. Something as simple
as choosing a slide template and images that can display your thoughts better
and in a convincing way to the target audience is also a way to display the
creative side of you. Creative ideas make whatever simple we do a fun
experience.
As children we
were lot more creative than what we are today. I remember some of my school
mates colouring sky or trees in colours other than blue and green. Probably
they imagined or wanted to see the sky or the trees in colours they wanted to.
The view of the world was not clear then and yet we had our own set of
imaginations to look at the world in our own creative way. I remember how I loved to have box of crayons
with me and looked forward to colouring pictures. Adding colours to the picture
as though added colour to my life. I
still use pens of different colours to highlight the important points. As a
child and till date, creativity means using the best of my handwriting with the
help of different inks!
As we grow up
and are busy acquiring degrees, the creative side in us takes a back seat. We
become more mechanical. We need to give time to ourselves to sit peacefully and
think as to how we can explore the lost creativity in us. Creativity needs
discipline and dedication. It needs to be nurtured so that it can come out as
the best product. Besides, creativity shows the other side of you. When I am
writing an essay, I sit with a blank mind for first few minutes and then I
silently summon the ideas which can make my essay look effective. It is like
digging deep to look for a treasure followed by the happiness on finally
discovering it.
Creativity is
limited not only to your passions but also to the routine work that you do.
Creative ideas need to be boosted; otherwise they recede like waves. The person
who is at the receiving end of these ideas should be knowledgeable and
practical enough to absorb these ideas. In an organization, every employee must
be given a chance to display his creative skills, irrespective of his or her
position in the organization. I have heard some hindrances towards this with
statements like, “I have spent more years in this organization. I know things
better than you.” Creativity can be encouraged only when one is given the
liberty to take decisions freely. Surely there can be reviews and feedbacks
about the ideas proposed. There can be intensive brain storming. But that
opportunity to be creative needs to be put forth with the readiness to have
open ears and an open mind.
Ideas can
originate from anywhere and everywhere. Just that one inspiration, one
situation, one problem is necessary to free the imprisoned creative soul in us.
Creativity is pervasive; without it, we are incomplete. Hence, every day can be
a fruitful one when we sow the seeds of our creativity in every little way. It
keeps us on our toes. We may not have our Eureka moments every day. But the day
we have that, we can pat our backs with pride, for we have brought about an
improvement, a change and have spread happiness and satisfaction in our own
little way.
