One of my bug bears about innovation and creativity, especially when handed out as a government initiative for enterprise, is that many of the people who talk about it..don’t know jack. Including those who work in the arts or creative media industries!!! One gem that does stick in my mind though is a manifesto called How to Be Creative, which I discovered about three years ago. (Download it here)
Wrriten by Hugh MaCleod the cartoonist responsible for gaping void this article highlighted some key points that whilst not neccesarily revolutionary hit you right between the eyes with a “oh thats what the others where trying to say, but couldn’t” statements.
I shared some of the key points from this article in a keynote I delivered to a class of year 12 (16/17) year olds earlier this morning. Getting them to think about what they could “bring to the table” after school, college, uni or even when doing internships at both. Here are the ones I shared.
6. Everyone is born creative; everyone is given a box of crayons in kindergarten.
9. Everybody has their own private Mount Everest they were put on this earth to climb.
10. The more talented somebody is, the less they need the props.
19. Sing in your own voice.
24. Don’t worry about finding inspiration. It comes eventually.
The one they liked and oohed at was no. 10 about talent. Hugh is not the first to laud creativity. Sir Ken Robinson has been promoting this for so long too.
One of my fave pastimes is sitting or lying down on the floor with my kids and a pack of crayons and felt tips. Watching them draw over the lines and produce works which give them so much joy even if I am baffled with their interpretation of the artform. Maybe creativity goes to the heart of keeping people sane (or insane if your surname is van Gough) I dont know. However just reflecting on a few of those points helps to put a heck of a lot of things in perspective.
Filed under: People , Cartoons on the back of a business card, Creativity, Education, gaping void, Hugh MacLeod, Innovation, Sir Ken Robinson
David, I love this post, man. It’s been awhile since I’ve actually visited your blog and I really love what you’ve done with the place. I needed this motivation as I start the day. Keep doing your thing! Be Blessed.