No Payne No Gain: Creativity

Some people are creative, some are not. Some people are more creative than others, some less. Maybe it is more accurate to think that some people are able to retain and express their creativity while the creativity in others remains dormant. Creativity may not be in the genes, but instead, it may be in everyone’s DNA.

Observe children in preschool, kindergarten, and first grade and you’ll see that oodles of creativity abound. Every child explores, creates, and imagines. But beginning around second grade, creativity flourishes in some and diminishes in others.

As an individual grows and matures, a perception of who the person is solidifies. As relationships are formed, skills mastered, and interests pursued, personalities are developed. Although people are complex, personality instruments indicate most people tend to see themselves and behave within three basic patterns: (a) traditional, (b) competitive, and (c) empathic.

The traditionalist tends to be hardworking, conforming, and loyal. The competitor likes to win, will take risks and is confident with his or her self. The empathic person places a high value on personal relationships, is sensitive and people oriented. Most adults are a combination of the three patterns but have a tendency to prefer one. Over time the adult forms a picture of who they are. This self perception forms a comfort zone. The comfort zone is an individual’s perceived personality. When a person is forced to perform outside the comfort zone, they become uncomfortable and in extreme cases anxious. As a person becomes uncomfortable or anxious, there is a natural tendency to get back into the comfort zone, that is, get back to who they believe themselves to be.

Of the three predominant personality types, none exclude creativity. Creativity transcends personality types. As a person forms their perceived picture of their selves, some leave room for creativity while others snuff it out. Persons wanting to revitalize their suppressed creativity need to reconnect with their childhood and explore new horizons. It can be done, it is easy but it takes some effort and at times it may become uncomfortable.

Here are a few ideas for those who want to ignite their suppressed creativeness:

• Play house or dolls with a young child or better yet, children. You cannot play the game without imagination, and imagination is the foundation of creativity.

• Using miniature action figures, soldiers, and/or cowboys, play with the young. This will solidify your personality while forcing you to make room for creativity.

• Play alone with Tinker Toys, Legos, Lincoln Logs and throw away the instructions and printed models. The purpose is to have fun.

• Get dirty with clay or Play Dough. You may want to get a lot of it. The purpose is to get at one with the dough.

• Try finger painting or if you are slanted toward being a traditionalist cheat, and use a brush.

• Write notes and/or letters to loved ones and make your writing come from your heart.

• Write to yourself and make your writing come from the depths of your soul.

• Take a different route to work; begin to explore geographic areas you are unfamiliar with.

• Try different foods. Expand your tastes, some pleasant, some not so pleasant.

As you experiment, explore, and expand your world, tell yourself, “I love playing, I am curious, I see myself exploring, I see others watching me, smiling with joy and approval as I create. I feel a fulfillment that overwhelms my very being.” This self talk coupled with creative playing experiences will open a place in your perceived comfort zone, and at that point in time you will be the creative person you once were.

Dr. James Payne, a nationally-recognized scholar, educator and speaker, is a professor of Special Education at the University of Mississippi and a Fulbright recipient. He is the developer of the PeopleWise Event Management System and the PeopleWise Profile System.