EUREKA!

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.