Unlocking Your Inner Genius: A Dive Into "Creative Confidence"
Creative Confidence is a book that changed my life. By David Kelley and Tom Kelley.
In 2016, I turned the last page of a mesmerizing book – "Creative Confidence" by Tom and David Kelley, and I was blown away. It changed how I think about "creating" things and how I had missed the point of being creative all this time.
This isn't just another self-help book. It’s a guide that promises every reader that they possess an ocean of creativity, even if they've forgotten where to find it.
Its pages shimmer with hope, inspiration, and actionable insights.
This book will guide you if you’ve ever doubted your creative abilities or simply want to enhance them. But before that, let me share what I learned from the book.
The Heart of Innovation
The first chapter gracefully dismantles the myth that creativity is the exclusive domain of the 'creatives.' It professes a simple truth - everyone is born with a fire of creativity; life sometimes merely dims its brilliance.
There is creativity in every job: The Kelley brothers emphasize that every job role, whether you're crunching numbers or drafting designs, is rife with creative opportunities. Every problem you encounter is simply an innovation waiting to happen. It may not look like creative work, but some problems require creative solutions.
What slows down creativity: Our past shapes our present. If someone was ridiculed or criticized for a creative effort in the past, they might become hesitant to explore or express innovative ideas. Or if someone compared themselves to the work of a professional and experienced the imposter syndrome. These inhibitions can stunt growth and potential.
I experienced this first-hand, too. At some point in my life, I had stopped drawing because I didn't think I was good enough. I did not continue writing because nobody reads my blog.
But I stopped caring about what other people think of me at some point. And here I am, drawing comic strips and writing this email to you.
Think back to childhood, when everything was a mystery, waiting to be unravelled. That childlike wonder and excitement about the world is the essence of creativity. Nothing would stop us from creating things, from drawings and mud castles to creating our imaginary worlds.
We were all creative in the beginning. Where did we go wrong?
Opening Your Eyes
In the book, they also shared about the art of observation. We open doors to insights often hidden in plain sight by truly seeing, not just looking.
The Kelleys shed light on how innovation often starts with recognizing the unnoticed. Like a painter looking at a sunset, it's not about capturing what's obvious but about noticing the myriad colours others might overlook.
When I first changed jobs, I realised there would always be people smarter than me. It turns out I was limiting my potential by staying in the same place for years, thinking this place was the limit. If you have the chance, explore new opportunities, live in different places, and create new connections.
Surrounding ourselves with diverse minds enriches our viewpoint. Collaborating with people from various backgrounds and disciplines unearth fresh approaches to old problems.
Expand your mind.
Closing Thoughts
There is still a lot to learn from "Creative Confidence." I hope this short introduction convinces you to read that book. This isn't a paid promotion!
The book isn't just about fostering creativity; it's about understanding and embracing it as an innate human trait. This book serves as a heartfelt reminder that we carry a torch of creativity regardless of our job titles or past experiences.
This book serves as a heartfelt reminder that we carry a torch of creativity regardless of our job titles or past experiences.
It's about time we let it light our paths. I hope this post illuminates the book's essence for you, and may you find your creative confidence!
Stay curious and keep exploring.
I hope you enjoy this one.
It's not going to be easy, but it's not impossible.
Your friend,
Brian