Do you believe creativity is inherent?

14 replies
I used to think creativity was reserved for those special few who had some "magical," gift to create things in their lives. This idea was so ingrained into my brain, I never created anything. Whenever I thought about creating something, my brains reference system referenced the idea that because I didn't have this magical gift, it was worthless to think about it.

The truth is, that's just brain programming. That is literally an ingrained neurological habit. Once I learned strategies to go in there and change those things, my life changed. I believe creativity is our natural position, and that we just get conditioned to not use it! Once we get rid of the programming that restricts us, we can do what we're built to do, create!
#creativity #inherent
  • Profile picture of the author Dean Martin
    ^^^ agreed.

    To add to your premise - our definition of creativity is often warped. From an early age we think of 'artsy' types as the creative ones (painters, musicians, etc).

    I propose that it took incredible creativity for the first caveman to figure out how to outsmart the rabbit / moose / mastadon. Likewise, it took creativity to learn how to domesticate animals, build structures suitable for living, create new building materials (bricks, etc).

    We don't think of engineer / mechanic / builder types as being creative but I think they are some of the most creative. Imagine all the iterations of the light bulb it took before Edison found one that worked. Watch one of them figure out how to get you out of a jam when your car breaks down miles from a garage or you need an odd part built to repair an old piece of equipment in a manufacturing plant.
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    • Profile picture of the author rcritchett
      Originally Posted by dlmartin View Post

      ^^^ agreed.

      To add to your premise - our definition of creativity is often warped. From an early age we think of 'artsy' types as the creative ones (painters, musicians, etc).

      I propose that it took incredible creativity for the first caveman to figure out how to outsmart the rabbit / moose / mastadon. Likewise, it took creativity to learn how to domesticate animals, build structures suitable for living, create new building materials (bricks, etc).

      We don't think of engineer / mechanic / builder types as being creative but I think they are some of the most creative. Imagine all the iterations of the light bulb it took before Edison found one that worked. Watch one of them figure out how to get you out of a jam when your car breaks down miles from a garage or you need an odd part built to repair an old piece of equipment in a manufacturing plant.
      Incredible reply! I agree!
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      • Profile picture of the author windwhirl
        I'd say that it's an inherited traits. Instances and events improves creativity. But to improve something you have to possess it first. I believe that a large degree of creativity is pure inheritance. It is something you're born with. Others may thought that they learned or acquired creativity but the truth is, they had it alrady within them.. they were just unaware of it.
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        • Profile picture of the author scortillion
          Originally Posted by windwhirl View Post

          I'd say that it's an inherited traits. Instances and events improves creativity. But to improve something you have to possess it first. I believe that a large degree of creativity is pure inheritance. It is something you're born with. Others may thought that they learned or acquired creativity but the truth is, they had it alrady within them.. they were just unaware of it.
          I disagree with you there. I believe that thinking that way in the first place limits you from the start. But I've seen people that have great talent that developed it through much practice.

          You can learn whatever it is you want, but you must want it first.
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        • Profile picture of the author rcritchett
          Originally Posted by windwhirl View Post

          I'd say that it's an inherited traits. Instances and events improves creativity. But to improve something you have to possess it first. I believe that a large degree of creativity is pure inheritance. It is something you're born with. Others may thought that they learned or acquired creativity but the truth is, they had it alrady within them.. they were just unaware of it.
          Great reply. Creativity happens when the Frontal Lobes of the Brain allow information to diverge from what one was taught to believe. Then, when information can slip past rigid beliefs, the brain uses its associated ability to come up with alternative solutions. Since we're coming from a place where most people believe creativity is something people are born with, it's easy to go along with that paradigm. The truth is, we've known nothing about the human brain for years, which is where that belief came from. Scortillion, I totally agree! I used to think creativity was inherited as well, until I got rid of restrictive programming in my head! Thanks for replying!
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          • Profile picture of the author Radcliff
            I too disagree wind..creativity is something we can improve in ourselves by practice.Not only that, I believe any quality can be developed in ourselves if we want to.The only thing needed is the likeness to the subject and steady motivation with a positive thinking mind.
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            • Profile picture of the author scortillion
              Originally Posted by Radcliff View Post

              I too disagree wind..creativity is something we can improve in ourselves by practice.Not only that, I believe any quality can be developed in ourselves if we want to.The only thing needed is the likeness to the subject and steady motivation with a positive thinking mind.
              I agree with you... if you really want something and are willing to put in the time and practice you will succeed at what you attempt. You just have to want it to achieve it.
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              • Profile picture of the author rcritchett
                Originally Posted by scortillion View Post

                I agree with you... if you really want something and are willing to put in the time and practice you will succeed at what you attempt. You just have to want it to achieve it.
                I agree completely. Our true power is massive as human beings. It's those who are creating massively, that have finally gotten past the limiting programming of the past, and realized how much power they truly have! Great comments everyone!
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  • Profile picture of the author cathyrin13
    Creativity is hereditary and as well as can be improved. The nature vs. nurture with regards to our behavior can apply on "creativity".

    Creativity can be acquired through the genes from our creative parents. We commonly see these people who really excel in creativity without even giving their best effort, just because they have this so called "pure talent of creativity", and it is innate in their genes.

    However there are also people who are not born creative yet possess a great mind and will power to want and desire to be creative. They are the ones who wants to learn more and more about being creative and through nurture and experience they somehow become exceptionally creative.

    Thus, for me we can either be born or self-made creative.
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    • Profile picture of the author akkenon
      Every living thing praises the Creator of all things. This praise is the same as creativity. There is praise in the genetics of a rose, in the spawning habits of salmon, in the web of a spider, in the zygote that gives rise to earthling men. You recall the declaration: "Let there be light, and light came to be." This is creativity by spirit, the same spirit that animates men, so that creativity originates in the minds and hearts of men first. It is the blessed privilege of the inspired one to reach into his soul and capture the reality of the thing got under inspiration. Maybe it is a song or perhaps a new car design. The one to whom the inspiration is given, he is the one that will do it. Show it to the world, for it already exists in the mind.
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  • Profile picture of the author scortillion
    Besides your looks and physical shape I don’t believe anything else is inherited, I believe it’s all learned and can be improved upon. By saying something is inherited you remove all responsibility from yourself and put the blame on inheritance. It becomes the ultimate GOD of Escape.

    When you give yourself a way out odds are you will take it when you need to escape, if you cast aside this limiting belief then you will succeed because you have no choice.

    When I work out I build muscle fast and people say it’s because I inherited that ability. What they don’t see is that from a very young age I lifted weights and LEARNED that ability.

    Let’s say you start lifting weights and build your arms up to 18 inch arms and it takes you 2 years to do so. Well you have trained the mind, brain, and body that it is possible and also conditioned the muscles.

    If you were to stop lifting at this point you would lose size, but if you decide to start lifting years later the 18 inch arms you had would come back in half the time because of a number of factors.

    1. The muscles are already conditioned for that size
    2. The mind, brain, and body know it’s possible for you to achieve that
    3. You know the techniques that work and exercises to do
    4. You know what to eat and what not to do.

    The only limitations are some physical disability or your own limiting beliefs.

    I do not believe inheritance plays a part beyond the physical form you have, I BELIEVE it is just an escape route that people cline to. A way of saying, “It’s not my fault I was born that way”
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  • Profile picture of the author jushuaburnham
    In some point perhaps creativity is inherent but there some creative individuals that are influenced by the surrounding or to the people that they get along most of the time. Inherent but still you need to cultivate and boost it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Edward Floyd
    Generally I think I am quite a creative person. I've always had an interest in art and been quite 'creative' in the things that I do. So while I believe that a large part of it is genetics, I still believe that, like all things, it is a skill that can be taught.

    Having said that, I don't think that "being creative" is a skill in itself that you try to achieve. I think creativity is a side-effect of engaging in things you are passionate about. Doing things you love and thinking about these things you love will allow such creative ideas come to your head, leading to more interesting thoughts and ideas.

    Making art is different to being creative. Being creative while making art usually makes better art.
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    • Profile picture of the author scortillion
      Originally Posted by Mechatronix View Post

      Generally I think I am quite a creative person. I've always had an interest in art and been quite 'creative' in the things that I do. So while I believe that a large part of it is genetics, I still believe that, like all things, it is a skill that can be taught.

      Having said that, I don't think that "being creative" is a skill in itself that you try to achieve. I think creativity is a side-effect of engaging in things you are passionate about. Doing things you love and thinking about these things you love will allow such creative ideas come to your head, leading to more interesting thoughts and ideas.

      Making art is different to being creative. Being creative while making art usually makes better art.
      I think you have a valid point there and a very interesting one that deserves consideration...
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