Part 1

On Creativity, Part 1: Myths and Magic

Creativity is often seen as something mysterious, a gift from above that only a select few possess. Many people are uncertain whether they are creative enough, or if they even have any of that magic within them. I frequently hear people say things like, “I’m not that creative,” “No, I can’t draw, or write, or [insert some creative activity here]…” Then there are people like me, who believe that creativity is something everyone can learn and use more or less equally.

First, let’s debunk a few myths.

Left-handed People Are More Creative!

The myth goes that right-handed people are more logical and analytical, while left-handed individuals are creative wonders full of ideas and artistic energy.

This is just outdated nonsense lingering from 19th-century research, which was based on studying injuries to different parts of the brain. Some also blame Robert Louis Stevenson, who wrote Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and contributed to the belief that we are made up of two different sides with separate mentalities.

“According to a 2019 survey of more than 20,000 people, lefties rated themselves as more artistically inclined on a scale of 1 to 100, so it’s clear that lefties think they’re more creative.”

Perhaps the key word in the quote above is “think”? As a lefty, you’re told from childhood that you’re creative, and naturally, you believe it. And if you walk around thinking you’re more creative than others, you’ll likely live up to that belief.

While the brain does have a left and right hemisphere, they’re so interconnected that it’s impossible to claim that everything happens on one side or the other. It’s thought that the brain’s division has more to do with sight and movement – allowing us to react quickly if a lion or a rampaging mammoth appears on one side or the other. While research has shown that problem-solving functions tend to be located on the right side of the brain, it’s also proven that storytelling centres partially lie on the left.

Still in doubt? Check out this video that explains more about how our brain works (4 minutes).

Tip: Relax and write, whether you’re left-handed or not. It doesn’t matter.

Great Ideas Just Randomly Pop Into Your Head! You Just Have to Wait for the Big Moment.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, this isn’t true either, even if it sometimes feels that way. Neil Young credits his creativity to “the muse” and once wrote an entire album (Living with War) in a day in a hotel room after seeing a newspaper headline about the Iraq war.

Newton supposedly got the idea of gravity when an apple fell on his head. Wouldn’t it be great if these were just random moments of genius?

But it’s not that simple. Neil Young is a deeply passionate anti-war figure, deeply involved in politics, and one of the hardest-working musicians in the industry, leaving nothing to chance. That newspaper headline was merely a “trigger” – a reminder of ideas he had been working on (consciously and/or unconsciously) for a long time.

The same goes for Newton, who studied gravity for many years before the apple incident. These moments of insight weren’t accidents of genius but results of painstaking work. (If you want to call it “the muse” or “a stroke of genius,” go ahead!)

Tip! You are what you eat / input = output.

Certain People Are Born with a Talent for Creativity, Others Are Not

Yes, it’s true that we inherit traits from our parents and grandparents. In fact, we still carry genetic material from when we crawled out of the sea. The most primitive part of our brain is the reptilian brain, which still governs much of our instinctual behaviour.

But fortunately, only about 50% of who we are comes from our genes, and the other 50% is shaped by our environment and external influences – in other words, things we learn. If you grow up believing that everyone else is more creative than you, well, that becomes true (any right-handers here?).

It’s also proven that the 50% we inherit can be changed, updated, and adjusted throughout life. Very little is hardwired, as was once believed.

Here’s more research on genetics and their significance: Uncovering the Complex Genetics of Human Character.

Regardless of whether your parents were creative geniuses or not, you can always learn creativity just as you can learn to walk, run, ride a bike, play football, write, draw (yes, anyone can learn to draw), drive a car, etc. When I recorded two albums of my own songs and wrote my debut book, I felt like I was on thin ice. My genes don’t come from parents with loads of albums or books to their name. You can debate whether what I’ve created is a masterpiece or not, but I’ve created something! I’ve done something I’ve dreamed of. As a bonus, I get a lot of positive (and some not-so-great) feedback on my creations (which is nice, but not crucial).

I’ve also learned an awful lot from these projects, which continues to influence my work with books and music. My first creations may not have been perfect, but they were essential for my desire to live an even more creative life.

Tip: Telling yourself you don’t have what it takes won’t help. Focus on what you want to do and do it, no matter what your emotions say. Trust your rational voice first and foremost (the “I” voice in your head). Don’t let your emotions take control. If you believe you can write a book, then you can write a book, no matter how you feel about it.

A left handed motherf*cking genius

“According to a 2019 survey of more than 20,000 people, lefties rated themselves as more artistically inclined on a scale of 1 to 100, so it’s clear that lefties think they’re more creative.”

Creative People Are Eccentric, Weird, and Lonely

Nope, that’s not true either. Sure, plenty of creative individuals have acted, to say the least, oddly in the name of creativity. Some have cut off their ears (Van Gogh), while others have drilled holes in their skulls to allow more oxygen to reach their brains (supposedly making one more creative). Many celebrities and rock stars are notorious for their consumption of suspicious substances, far beyond what the average person might indulge in.

While these external stimuli might help break patterns, you can do just as well, if not better, without them. Some creatives who have done fine in a sober state include Bruce Springsteen, Frank Zappa (!), and Rage Against the Machine. After struggling with alcoholism early in his career, Stephen King now writes entirely sober.

It’s also worth noting that Edison didn’t invent the lightbulb alone; he had a large team working with him. Steve Jobs was a genius, but he wasn’t alone in his breakthroughs. Mick Jagger, Paul Stanley, Freddie Mercury, and Bruce Dickinson all left their bands, believing they could do better on their own. After their solo albums flopped, they likely realised the magic lay in the group’s efforts and returned to their bands.

Stephen King is considered a positive and open person, with editors who help him shape his stories. Did you know he threw the Carrie manuscript in the trash, and his wife had to convince him to retrieve it and finish it? Without her, we wouldn’t have our association with prom dresses and pig’s blood today.

Tip: You can think and write whatever you want, without being influenced, crazy, or lonely.

To Be Creative, It’s Best to Work with Others

It’s a myth that brainstorming in groups is the key to creative ideas. Research shows that no one really comes up with “eureka moments” in creative workshops. However, group brainstorming is very useful for developing existing ideas.

Generally, people need time on their own to work on ideas first. So, you should come to a brainstorming session or writing group with plenty of ideas (both good and bad) to get the most out of it. Alternatively, give participants time to think individually before coming together to develop ideas.

“Research shows that only 1% of those who participated in a creative workshop claim they had a good idea during the workshop.”

Tip: Write a rough draft or have one or more ideas ready before discussing your project with others.

Go to Part 2 – On Creativity: Creativity Can Be Learned

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