 | Global Experience - Madras |
Ask yourself.
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It can be anything from devising new chess strategies to improvising on a trumpet.
NOW think about why it makes you feel so good? Is it the fact that you're bringing something of your own out for the world to see. Or is it simply to satisfy your inner desire of unleashing your creative demons?
Now think about what your creative ambition is. What exactly do you want to achieve and where do you want to go with this thing you enjoy doing. Now that you see this ambition, think of what hurdles are stopping you from getting there.
For most people the hurdles are one of the following: laziness, fear (of failure, rejection), distractions (job), complacency.
Twyla Twarp in her book 'The Creative Habit' attacks all these hurdles head on. She shows how creativity can be brought out of the depths of yoru mind. She shows you how it's all in your head, you just have to tap into it.
Here are a few methods of unleashing those creative stallions sleeping inside yourself:
Make a Ritual:
Most people think creativity comes from those 'zenith' moments when you see something so clearly that you can finally do it. Twyla dismisses these moments as garbage. I agree with her when she says that zenith moments without the proper work habits are a farce. A painter that sees the image in his head, simply can't lay it down without having painted many paintings. A dancer has to practice for hours before he/she can comfortably improvise new, unique steps. In other words, practice gives you the basis for allowing creativity. And practice can happen only if you get off your ass, shrug off that laziness. This is actually the hardest part, because laziness is the biggest killer of creativity. So Twyla suggests making a 'ritual' to force yourself into that mode. Some examples of rituals are playing music that gets you in the mood, cleaning up your work zone or even turning off the lights and lighting a candle. These things sounds simple but if you attempt to bring some change in your environment, you will find it easier and more enjoyable to learn that new musical piece or paint that new portrait, becase you are in the 'zone'.
Creative DNA: Everyone has different visions and perceptions. Some see minute details while others see the big pictures. You have to realize where you stand and where you're most comfortable. You might be the passive onlooker or an active scrutinizer. Decide which one and you will know where your strengths and weaknesses are. Different creative projects might require different visions. Study your heroes and see how well they adapted to details when they needed or stepped back to portray the overall picture. Did a movie's director/screen-writer take painstaking efforts to show each character's emotions or did he try to show changes in an entire culture. One great example to test yourself is how you appreciate a photo or a painting. Do you want to see every brush stroke or are you happy to stay back and take in the whole image. Do you like to stay near the middle or do you notice the edges as well? Figure out where you stand so you can effectivly set your creative focal length in a project.
Use your Memory
Your memory is your own precious treasure. There are so many thoughts, feelings, memories of physical objects, things, smells, and actions that you can tap into. It's what defines you and who you are, your identity. There are a few different types of memory. Let's see if I can recall all of the ones she mentioned :)
Muscle memory - You do a dance move long enough, you don't need to think about it. You play a piano piece so many times, your fingers go by themselves. You don't even actively think. This is muscle memory and its very powerful in setting yourself up to be creative.
Virtual memory - This is picturing your successes. How well you did a business deal, how good that karaoke performance was or how well you danced in that one show. So for the next time, you simply imagine that you can do it again with all the details and you picture it as many times as it takes to make you believe you can do it again.
Institutional memory - Whichever creative institution you choose, it's very likely someone has done it already. Find how you can be different by tapping into others work. Yes, 'emulating' and imitating your idols is a great way to learn.
Sensual memory - Ever feel that memory rushing back when you heard that song? An old TV ad or the smell of your favorite childhood cookie. That's sensual memory. Its very refreshing and can sometimes lead to genius because its so true to your own feelings.
Ancient memory - Tap into ancient art. You may find things surprisingly advanced in terms of creativity.
These lay out the gist of the first few chapters of Twyla's inspirational book. Everyone who has ever dreamed of achieving or creating something unique can gain from it. She forces you to throw your laziness out the window and unleash those sleeping creative demons.
(P.S. I forgot muscle memory and sensual memory. I did have a feeling for sensual memory, just couldn't pinpoint the word sensual)
Twyla Tharp - The Creative Habit
