Unfortunately, there's this pervasive myth out there that people are either born with a creative gene or they're not. Those individuals showing musical or artistic talent with a free spirit are automatically labeled as creative and inspired, while others that are gifted as analytical thinkers and function better with structure are considered smart, but unimaginative. The people perceived as inspired, creative souls are credited with beautifying our world. The people perceived as the intelligent, normal souls are the ones that automatically take care of business...boring, but necessary.
Let's just set the record straight right now. Everyone is creative. EVERYONE. We are all "makers" of some sort.* Somehow people have been led astray to believe that if they can't think of an original idea, they must not be creative. Through my journey as an educator and an observer of human beings of all ages and in many settings, I have come to conclude this- creativity comes in many forms and it takes all of these forms to make our world go 'round. Turns out that I'm not the only one that has seen this phenomenon and felt compelled to share about it.My summer reading material explains the different approaches of creativity perfectly. Through reading LAUNCH by John Spencer and A.J. Juliani, I was thrilled to learn the names that match these creative groups and have the characteristics described in a way that easily communicates the importance of each type. And YOU are one of them!
The authors share that there are six types of creative individuals. They also acknowledge that a person may not be one type exclusively, but can display characteristics of more than one type. It was eye-opening to me to discover how some of the things I know about myself are just different facets of my own brand of creativity. As I summarize the different approaches taken from the text, see if you can figure out your own creative style. Because you have at least one. Trust me.
*1) The Artists- love to design things from scratch. It's all about making something new and they tend to be confused as to why someone would want to stifle creative genius by having a standardized system. They view creativity as natural, messy, and normal. Vibrancy and inspiration are key aspects in the approach of Artists.
2) The Geeks- are fascinated by ideas and find joy in tweaking existing models. They view creativity as a way to bring order from chaos. Information and research are exciting frameworks to be explored. They remind everyone that sometimes creativity happens through systems and structures.3) The Architects- design new systems by bringing together the individual messiness of the Artist with the system thinking of the Geek. Their creative vision thinks about systems, people, science, and art and can develop a "structure" that has a profound influence on others.
4) The Engineers- are always on the search for a better solution. They find creativity in trying things out, analyzing the process, and then refining for the best outcomes. They excel at divergent thinking and can be very practical and hands-on in their approach.
5) The Hackers- work to tear down broken systems to create something better. Their roles are like "life hackers" as they find ways to keep things fresh and push innovation. They are attuned to needs of others. By turning systems upside down, they offer new alternatives.
6) The Point Guards- enjoy creating experiences rather than products. They can think differently in the moment to create opportunities for others. Their strength is being able to view different perspectives, think on their feet, and offer experiences that were unanticipated, but beneficial.*
I see parts of the Artist, the Geek, and the Point Guard in my creative approach, especially in my job as an educator. I THRIVE on creating inspiration-filled lessons for my students and put emphasis on designing a unique setting for their learning (Artist). I do, however, depend on systems already in place, but am constantly looking for how I can "tweak" something and tailor it to meet the needs of my students in regards to the unique personality of the class (Geek). Finally, one of the biggest joys for me as a teacher is when I seize opportunities to bring families and students together in a meaningful partnership for the benefit of the student and the connectedness of school and family in an experience they weren't expecting (Point Guard). I am passionate about making these connections! The feedback I get from parents when I exercise my creativity in these ways is very encouraging. It reminds me of my purpose in life. The excitement that I sense in my interactions with students is an essential part of why I love teaching. It reminds me of the vital importance of my job in developing life-long learners. These results provide motivation to keep loving, guiding, training, investing in, and reaching out to my students and their families each year.
Consider the title of this blog. You CREATE the joy. It is one of my core beliefs that in order for us to achieve fulfillment and enjoy life to the fullest, we must create. It's who we are. My belief in this is so strong, it was a driving force in starting this blog about eight months ago. If you look at it through a spiritual lens, I can explain it like this: God, the Ultimate Creator, made us in His own image. If we were made in God's image as a creator, then we also have as part of our being the ability and compulsion to create. Isn't it exciting to think how God our Father designed us and empowered us with the capacity to make this world a better place as we exercise our capacity to create in all these wonderful forms? Your world- your family, your work, your friends, your church, your causes- they all need your approach, my friend. Adapt to the situation, execute your special brand of unique creativity, and enjoy making a difference!
*These descriptions are either paraphrased or directly quoted from the following source:
LAUNCH- Using Design Thinking to Boost Creativity and Bring Out the Maker in Every Student by John Spencer and A.J. Juliani; published by Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc., 2016
