Creative Paralysis
Sometimes on courses I ask people to draw a picture, choose a metaphor, talk about an object. My intention is to get them thinking in a different way, encourage discussion, get a new take on an old subject. Over the years, I’ve met many people who have the same reaction:“I can’t do this, I’m not creative, I’ve never been imaginative, someone else take the pen……”
Before they’ve even given themselves a chance to pick up a pen, they’ve told themselves “I can’t do this”. Before they have had a go, they have decided it’s not worth the risk. The risk of what? Looking stupid, making a mistake, not having the right answer, right style, right shapes? Before they even start, they are paralysing themselves. They are too frightened, anxious or embarrassed to pick up the pen.Yet when I talk to them, these are clever people, full of ideas and fun.
When I watch my children and grand-children; when I watch my friends’ children, I see something quite different. If I give them a pencil and paper, an object to play with or ask them to make up a story with me, they are off. I can barely keep up with them. Scribble and daubs appear on the paper, colours collide and clash, words are put together to shape stories and we laugh, admire and build on what each other are doing and saying. All the time they are learning, exploring, and working out new ways to do and say things.So what happens? Are we born innately creative? At some point does this dry up? Is it like turning from child to adult during puberty? Does our creativity gene change in some way?
Sir Ken Robinson answers this question in this inspiring talk at the TED conference speech he gave in 2006. I found myself howling with laughter at this speech and by the end was exceptionally moved. Around the world we live with public education systems that encourage us to live in our heads, not our bodies. In doing so, we learn to distrust our creativity and fear mistakes. In 2006, Sir Ken was saying that it is creativity that we need to nurture in our young people and ourselves if we are to survive. In 2012 with world structures creaking with strain, resources both material and financial lessening, we need to take even more heed of his message.