Writer. Speaker. Photographer. Former nun. These are some of the labels I use to describe myself. I usually do not label myself as a creative artist. Yet, I leverage a simple, repeatable process that helps me foster my creativity and unconventional way of being in the world. We are meant to be creative; that is who we are and what we do as human beings. Here is the question that keeps lingering with me this week: How can we use our creativity to connect more significantly with others and with the stuff of everyday life? What steps lead us to a more meaningful creative process in work and life?
A Meaningful Creative Process
Five simple steps work for me: Pay attention. Expand learning. Stir the curiosity. Get it done. Share it out there.
Listen
First, set your mindset to openness and a desire for awareness. Then pay attention to life happening within and around you. Also, utilize the best creative tools we have – our senses. Embody the listening through sight, taste, touch, smell, and hearing.
Pay attention.
Learn
The opportunity to educate ourselves is boundless. Be intentional about reading – a lot. Foster a growth mindset and a playful, child-like spirit in learning your craft. It is okay to experiment and learn from the failures and flaws. Understand that you have to set a stopping point in the research and study, or you risk getting stuck in the process. Paralysis by analysis can hinder you in moving to the next phase. Trust your knowledge is a work-in-progress and good enough for now.
Expand learning (and know when to stop and move to the next step).
Ideate
At this stage, brainstorm from your inquiry. Work with those ideas that resonate most with your soul and spirit. What stirs your heart and mind to wander fiercely and fearlessly into ambiguity with curiosity? In what ways are you moved emotionally in this ideation phase?
Stir the curiosity.
Generate
Now the fun part. Let go of any inhibitions and allow yourself to generate something new that comes from within you. It can be a poem, a song or other form of writing, a painting, drawing, artwork, sculpture, craft, a new idea, recipe, fashion, design, etc. Make something tangible that speaks of who you are. It does not have to be a perfect, priceless work of art that you are going to sell or post on social media. Do something generative that is meaningful for you.
Get it done.
Share
Lastly, share your creative expression. As I previously mentioned, you do not have to post your work on social media or place it on public display. You can share your work privately with a friend, family member, or significant other. In some way, even if you do this solo, share your extraordinary gift of creation outwardly. This external expression can also be an act of service or a gesture of kindness (loving your neighbor in some way) that reflects your creative work.
Share it out there.
A Meaningful Creative Process – The Most Essential Step
Being creative is not limited to a specific period in your life, nor is it designated only to artists, celebrities, or a select number of people with talent and skill. Most everyone can do this creative process at any age.
There is an additional step that is the most important one – repetition. The creative process is a matter of commitment to taking action in one or more of the steps each day.
The process is simple but not easy. Repetition is the hardest part for me. I continue to discover that creativity is soulful when we commit to daily, deliberate practice. And when we are intentional about the steps in our creative expression, then our everyday living takes on a whole new level of insight, meaning, influence, and significance.
Your Turn
Listen. Learn. Ideate. Generate. Share. Rinse and repeat. Do this as often as possible.
What will you create today?
One of Austin Kleon’s books is dedicated to sharing one’s creativity, Show Your Work. I challenge you to share and show your work in some way.
Your creative expressions are welcome here.
Kathy Fries says
Love this one Denise! Thanks for the post!
Denise Pyles says
Thanks Kathy – glad you like it.