What Does It Mean to Be Creative?
By: Lucy King
Tags: Creativity, Self Improvement, World, Productivity, Art

What Does It Mean to Be Creative?

Yes, this is one of those deceptively simple questions.

Photo by 小胖 车 on Unsplash

I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free. — Michelangelo

This quote beautifully captures the duality of what it means to be creative. Like all creative geniuses, Michelangelo not only had a concept — he had the skill, discipline and determination to bring his vision to life.

Michelangelo was an Italian painter, sculptor, architect, poet, and engineer. Along with Leonardo da Vinci, he is often called a “Renaissance Man” which means he had great talent in many areas. Some of his works are among the most famous ever made — the David, the Pieta and the Sistine Chapel Ceiling to name a few.

Backstory to the Sistine Chapel Ceiling

According to legend, Michelangelo did not wish to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. He said he was not a painter. But Pope Julius II, badgered him until he agreed to do it.

Michelangelo told the Pope that he would do it “for God” and that he would only do it if the Pope let him paint it “in his own way”.

Instead of painting the twelve apostles of Jesus, Michelangelo painted twelve prophets. Instead of painting a starry night, he painted biblical creation scenes — the most famous of which is that of God creating Adam.

The ceiling’s fresco is so famous many artists have tried to copy Michelangelo’s style.

Photo by Humberto Arellano on Unsplash

Making Connections + Taking Action = Creativity

When you create you look at things differently, just as Michelangelo did. You experiment with new ways of working. You connect new knowledge with existing knowledge. You act decisively to turn insight into reality. This is what drives new ideas, theories or technologies.

Creativity is not all fun and games.

We often only see the final, polished result, but the overall creative process itself is far more important.

Most creative folks I know struggle with process. They are incredibly hard on themselves. They wonder if their work is good enough? Will they be able to salvage something from the train wreck they imagine they have created?

Even Michelangelo was not immune from artistic self doubt.

At first he followed the Pope’s instructions for the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Then he got a different idea and scraped off the work that he had done!

Creativity is equal parts talent, discipline and determination.

There is no magic pill to succeed as a creative — it’s about talent and process.

Behind extraordinary ideas, are courageous people.

Creative people inspire, excite and thrill us with possibilities. Whether they impact millions or simply those nearby, one thing they all have in common is courage.

The courage to look at things differently.

To do things differently.

No one denies that creative thinking is important, yet overtime we become comfortable. Our environment and the expectations of our families and friends shape us.

We are told from a young age what to think in our schools and how to behave. The chains of our habits, the whole infrastructure of our society stops us from being creative.

The challenge of creativity is to resist the lure of group thinking. To continue to learn and evolve. To discover and act on insight.

Make no mistake, it takes courage to be different.

It takes courage to be creative!

The last word

It doesn’t matter how gifted you are — if you don’t apply or hone your talent you are non-creative (at least in my books). Having an original idea is a good start, but you need to follow through and execute.

If, like Michelangelo, you have talent, curiosity and a strong work ethic consider yourself blessed — because that is what it takes to be creative!

Thank you for reading!