“If you can visualize it, if you can dream it, there’s some way to do it.” – Walt Disney
Much remains to be uncovered when speaking about the science behind creativity. Is creativity hereditary? Is there a creative personality? When are we most creative? We will briefly discuss the answers to these questions. But first, let me share a story with you.
Wolverine has remained my favorite X-Men character since I was a little boy. One day, about two years ago, my best friend, Ryan, and I decided we wanted to paint. We ventured to the local Michael’s art supply store, grabbed our supplies and then drove back to his apartment. Once we arrived, Ryan mastered a plan for us to create something great. He planned to paint a portrait of a friend and without hesitation I chose to paint Wolverine. Ryan then figured out how to break up into sections the printed piece of paper of our subject in a way that translated into the necessary sections on our canvas. To me, his idea embodied everything that creativity stands for – “to create meaningful new methods”. Had it not been for his genius idea, our paintings would not have come out so well.
This story led me to wonder where his creative abilities came from and to seek out answers to the questions we are about to discuss.
Is creativity hereditary?
Johann Sebastian Bach, easily one of the greatest composers and musicians of all time, grew up in an exceptionally creative family. His father, Johann Ambrosius Bach, the director of town musicians, more than likely taught him violin and the basics of music theory, while his uncle Johann Christoph Bach, introduced young Johann Sebastian to the organ. According to an article by USA Today, “there were 20 other eminent musicians who hailed from the same (Bach) family.”
Science has yet to discover whether or not creativity is hereditary, but from what history shows us about many well-known composers, musicians, artists, et cetera, creativity appears to run in the family.
From a Biblical perspective, God created us in His own image. Our God exists as a very creative artist. Therefore, are we not by design, also creative?
“What I have achieved by industry and practice, anyone else with tolerable natural gift and ability can also achieve.” ― Johann Sebastian Bach
I challenge you this week to seek out your creative abilities or talents. What in life inspires you? What are you passionate about? What is something that you enjoy doing that feels natural? For Bach, music was his passion. He devoted his life to the one thing that inspired him most.
Is there a creative personality?
According to the same article mentioned above by USA Today, “Gifted people in the arts or science tend to enjoy adventure, and they often like to explore new places or ideas.” These same people are not keen to rules and are not driven by the norm of society.
Traveling inspires me. Not only that, but it affords me the opportunity to explore, be adventurous and seek out the unknown.
What does this mean for you? Seek adventure! Do something you would not normally do that will allow your brain to free itself from daily distractions. This could mean taking a walk, a hike, a camping trip or riding your bike. Find something that will involve you being around nature and all that embodies creativity.
When are we most creative?
In the shower, of course! No really, I am being serious. Allow me to explain. When copious amounts of dopamine are released in our brains, this action triggers creative outpourings. One of these triggers happens to be a warm shower. Let’s be honest, if you are like me, you have thought of some magnificent ideas in the shower. Why is this? Because our brains are relaxed and not distracted. Research has also found that exercising and listening to your favorite tunes contributes to your creative moments.
What about reading? Has reading ever inspired you to create something marvelous? For me, when I read a book that really moves me, I find myself inspired to do something great or create something awe-inspiring.
“We do not need magic to transform our world. We carry all the power we need inside ourselves already. We have the power to imagine better.” J.K. Rowling
Arguably one of the greatest authors of our time, J.K. Rowling appears to have a clear image of what creativity is. Creativity prevails as the power to imagine and the power to create what you have imagined.
How will you seek out the creativity that lies within you? What new adventures will you embark on to inspire yourself to imagine, dream, and create?
Thank you for the challenge, Vincent. I have always wondered why exactly ideas come in the shower or when I am in bed about to go to sleep. I am currently going after a lot of things at the moment that are challenging me in a good way. I am creating more than ever before and having fun doing it. I am most creative when I cut out distractions, so I will be doing that this week. Less distractions, more hustle.
That’s great, Adam! It’s so true; when we accomplish goals we’ve set out for ourselves, not only is it fun, but it’s very fulfilling.
I was just planning out a post about harnessing the creativity of the shower! It really is amazing just how many great ideas I get in those few minutes. I’ve started counting on that time to help me solve some of my more complicated problems.
I think that when people think of creativity, they think of activities like painting and music, but I also think of being creative in everyday situations. It could be coming up with a different way to organize a kitchen or how to best respond to email without offending anyone.
In the end, for those who don’t seem to be naturally overflowing with creativity, practice is what will get them there.
Great post, Vincent.
Thanks for the insight, Ryan. You made some solid points. Creativity shouldn’t be confined to just “the arts”, but like you said, in every day tasks. In those moments of new ideas or methods, those are also times in which we harness what creativity exists as.
Before science gave birth to human endorsement of asorted ages of men of its time travelled handed down perceptions of analytical calculations, we are subject to the untapped and often misunderstood outerlimits of our inner limits of which there are none in humans. We are alien to the very esscence of what we call Mother Nature and still for all we seem to have gathered as a humanly plausible collective workable consensus for our earthy progression we, in this great temple of human aspiration are not investing in the very thing that has sustained a sense of hope down through the ages and that is weighing up scientific theories against the ‘ unknown ‘ we are all gifted no matter what we are. unclothed we are in primordial skin, water is one gift like many others when in contact with her energy we are reminded of what we already know to be true as creatures OF on a physical level of earth, we are the creators of life, yes the roads we walk down were built before we were born but who builds the roads we make in our own lives and in our own route of creativity …it is the imagination, if we could shut down the imagination and step outside it and forget the trial and errors of scientific calculations, we would find our true form, and we would learn that technology is a persuant of human self-realisation, leaving little left for us to carve & sculpture as the great artists we ALL are.
All my best ideas come to me when I’m running, either outside or on the treadmill. It happens a lot in the car too. Those moments when I’m alone and all I can do is think.
Leo, same thing happens to me in the car. Sometimes I don’t even turn on the music so I can just think. It’s freeing.
Another great post Vincent. You inspire so much! You have no clue. Once I figure it out, I’ll explain it to you;) For now, I just revel in it.
A lot of my creative ideas come to me when I am in nature (adequately protected from bugs and other creepy crawlies of course). I have this fascination with trees!
Haha, yes! You have to be protected from those little guys.. I don’t like them! If you have a fascination with trees then you MUST visit the Pacific Northwest. I’m currently in Portland and my mind has been blown! So much beautiful scenery here.
And wow – I really am humbled by your words. Thank you so much for that. It means the world!