Creativity; Inborn? Acquired? Comment your Opinions

The day broke fast, it was as if the day started earlier than every other day of the week. Horns, blaring would suffice for my bedside alarm. You can’t help but join the rush.

I walked past a sign with the text, ‘Learn how to become creative in 5 weeks’. Couldn’t help but ponder on those words. I quickly dismissed it, as one of those rhetoric. My mind still wasn’t at ease, so I decided to do a little research.

Shockingly, I found a wealth of research evidence, supporting the view that creativity can be developed. In one study by George Land in 1968, children were found to be more creative, diminishing remarkably as they aged. These alarming results were attributed to the educational system adopted at the time of the industrial revolution, where students were trained to be workers.

Generally, creativity is defined as both a skill and a process. An effective way to learn creativity will be to develop it as a skill as well as managing the process. Develop a knowledge base which will serve as a foundation. Get a lot of hands-on practice. Apply the creative thinking process by experimenting, exploring and questioning assumptions.

Everyone has creative abilities which can be amplified by honing them. Conversely, lack of a conscious effort to work on it will lead to a progressive repression of our creative capabilities. Get creative.