I just took a survey about "Motivating and Managing Creative People." I'm usually reluctant to take surveys, but this one got my attention and I ran with it. Here's my responses to two of the questions:
How do you define creativity?
"By definition, being creative is bringing something into being that wasn't there before. It requires vision, as well as the discipline to carry out that vision, no matter what field you're in. It's about having the courage to think independently, to put things together that weren't together before. And it's about taking risks."
What is it that makes you a creative person?
"We live in a society that says some people are creative and others are not. But I believe we're all creative---it's the fuel that wakes us up in the morning. People who "aren't creative" are simply those who've chosen not to be or have been led to believe that they're not in on the game---but the truth is: we all are."
I've talked to so many people who used to paint or act or write or sing or whatever it is. And they have that head-hung-low-shame about the fact that they never pursued it further. But you don't have to "make it" in order to have creativity in your life---you don't even have to be an "artist" in any traditional sense. You just have to tap into whatever it is that makes you come alive, whether that's raising kids, building houses or writing the next great American novel. Creativity is our birthright.
If you'd like to create your own survey, go to surveymonkey.com.
