Creativity And Happiness

Being creative makes you happy. Too many people think they aren't creative. Too many people don't try to be creative. Too many people believe artists are the only creative people. Too many people don't take the time to appreciate the creative things around them. Too many people don't appreciate the creative things they do each day. Too many people don't take the time to be creative. Too many people have the wrong definition of creativity.

It's easy to see creativity in art, movies and exciting new products. It's harder to see creativity in everyday life.  Building a cabinet is creative. However, figuring out how to get the most out of your toilet paper is also creative.

We are all creative creatures. Yes, some more than others, but we all have the capability to be creative. We all have been and are creative most days. The problem is we either don't take the effort to be creative or we don't step back and appreciate ourselves when we do something creative. Appreciating our creative side makes you happy. 

Too many people don't make an effort to be creative because they don't have confidence, they don't think trying something creative will be good enough, they compare themselves to others who have a higher DNA given talent, they believe that if it isn't going to be perfect it's not worth trying, they don't believe just trying will make them happier and/or they don't get in tune with themselves as to what creative task they would like to work on.

I started out my career in the computer business.  I couldn't speak any foreign languages and wasn't very good at English. However, I could write computer code in seven different computer languages. I flunked Spanish and English, but I was a top notch computer programmer. Writing computer code made me happy, but I didn't think I was being creative.

As I moved up in the business world, I had to communicate to customers, suppliers, managers and executives. Many of my communications were done via overhead slides (wow am I old) and later on in PowerPoint presentations. I was a master at creating presentations that communicated the message I was trying to get across. My co-workers would always tell others: "if you need a presentation, get Kenny to help you - he is a master at shitting slides."  I loved my presentations, but I didn't see them as being creative.

I really enjoyed doing lectures, but when I tried to do so on a bigger stage, I was always asked if I was published. That got me to try to write my first book "Never Buy A Hat If Your Feet Are Cold - Taking Charge Of Your Career And Your Life."  I stunk at English and even after my book was published I didn't see myself as a creative writer. My writing style was and is storytelling not literary art. However, I was so proud of myself for making the effort to write a book.

Now three books later and a new one coming soon, I realize I'm not the best writer in the world, but I love using the creative side of my brain and creating something that makes me happy. It's the creative process that makes me happy not the money, ego, success or any other outside world recognition. I write (or blog) for ME! I would do it even if the words never left the computer I'm writing on.

I stink at playing the guitar, but by using simple cords I can make music. Me making music makes me happy even if I'll never become a great guitarist. I'm left brained. Doing something analytical is easy for me. Using my creative right brain takes much more effort. I take the effort because doing something creative makes me happy (even if the outside world thinks it stinks).

Sooo, here is my suggestion; start out the day doing something creative. Think about creating something interesting for breakfast. If it winds up tasting great, appreciate and be happy with yourself for your creative breakfast. When at work, take a step back and enjoy all the little or big things you did that day that was creative. You'll be shocked at the number of creative things you do each day.

When you get home, think about something you always wanted to do that is creative. If you love art, draw. If you love music, play an instrument. If you like doing things with your hands create something. Do this for YOU. It doesn't matter if it's great. What matters is you tried because doing so makes you happy. 

Happiness is the forgotten ingredient in life. Putting a smile on your face when you do something creative is one way to get all the happiness you deserve.