Creativity Killers
I’ve read heaps of academic literature and pop psychology on “creativity” and where it comes from, whether it can be nurtured, what other traits are associated with it, etc.
But here is one of the most concise and useful treatments I’ve seen regarding the blockages that can impede the creativity, at whatever level, of any of us … and how to avoid them.
The article, 8 Bad Habits That Crush Your Creativity And Stifle Your Success, appeared on Copyblogger. But while the blog aims at content creators, these bad habits will narrow your horizon whatever problem you’re trying to fix or challenge you’re trying to meet.
The bad habits …
- Creating and evaluating at the same time
- The Expert Syndrome
- Fear of failure
- Fear of ambiguity
- Lack of confidence
- Discouragement from other people
- Being overwhelmed by information
- Being trapped by false limits
No black magic here. All of us have encountered these constraints. Or imposed them on ourselves!
Which of these are you most susceptible to? For me it’s #1 … “premature evaluation”!
Tom
P.S. Thanks to Jeff Brooks at Future Fundraising Now for the pointer.
One response to “Creativity Killers”
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I think 1, 2, and 4.
It used to be discouragement from other people.
But you know, now, i say screw it!
There’s a wonderful post by Lynda Barry about why people stop drawing on the Portland Mercury.
She has good things to say that her art teacher passed on to her, so if you’re feeling stuck creatively, I would go read that.
Here it is:
http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/why-do-we-stop-drawing/Content?oid=2940558
Mazarine