Obstacles to creativity

Getting off the treadmill and sculpting the career that is tailor made for you and what lights your fire is an inherently creative endeavor. Is your creativity being blocked? For most of us, it is.

Here's an article outlining some of the main barriers to creativity. One of the biggest lies smack dab between our ears. We aren't creative because we don't believe we're creative. Our creativity (or perceived lack of it) becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy as we either seek to develop those skills, or we don't.

Look at it this way. If you tell yourself: "I am a creative person", then you have to have beliefs about yourself that support that identity. If you tell yourself, "I am just an ordinary human being", then you will have a different set of beliefs. Once you have a particular identity and set of beliefs about yourself, you will become interested in seeking out the skills needed to express your identity and beliefs.

The article also points to environmental factors that limit creativity:

Creativity is hampered by a too-hectic environment that does not provide quiet time for reflection and introspection. It is also hampered by:

* a sterile environment that does not feed the senses
* demands for quick production of results.
* harsh words (from others or from ourselves)
* by rigid rules and barriers that prevent us from gathering information and/or from connecting with others.

It goes on to touch on several more obstacles to creativity:

* Stress * Routines * Beliefs * Ego * Fear * Self criticism

Curt Rosengren
Passion Catalyst ^SM

Comments

[Alicia]

Excellent article, excellent points. "We have seen the enemy, and he is us." -Walt Kelly