What is creativity?

Creativity is: the use of the imagination or original ideas. Dictionaries will add, “especially in the production of artistic work,” but that’s redundant. If it’s creative, it’s art.

What is it to be creative?

Creativity breaks down as: having original thoughts; and expressing those thoughts in some form—whether that means putting pen to paper, pounding some keys (computer or piano), building a product, or speaking aloud.

Here’s the thing: we all have original thoughts. We have them all day long. Every-single-thought-in-your-head is original. Each one spontaneously pops into existence—like a little gift from another dimension—and is entirely unique.

Want proof? Get a notebook; open to a new page every day; and draw whatever squiggly lines feel right.

Sit at a piano and hit random keys in any order that calls to you.

That’s it: that’s creative. You’re creative. We’re all creative. It’s an inherent part of being human.

Your squiggles might not be photorealistic, and the tune you play might not harmonize, but “creative” has never meant “good at art.

Creativity is simply about bringing your original thoughts into reality. Whether or not your art pleases critics (referring to the one in your head along with those out in the world), it will be yours.

The only difference then, that separates those we deem “creative” from the rest of us, is the audacity to express the original ideas we’re bombarded with.

A creative person is simply a brave person.

They’re brave enough to sit there in silence and listen for the ideas.

They’re brave enough to translate them into visuals, words, or sounds without any guarantee the result won’t be embarrassing.

They’re brave enough to release whatever art they made into the world.

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So when you say, “I wish I was more creative,” know that your issue has nothing to do with ideas avoiding you. The ideas are there, forever knocking on the door to our world.

To be more creative, you simply must find the courage to let them in.