Week 1 stresses the impact creativity has on personal growth and self-actualization. The relationship between the two is strong: creativity and self-actualization are reciprocal.
Those individuals who exhibit the characteristics of a self-actualized person and use the creative process are more satisfied in their careers and personal lives. Who among us would not want to possess most, if not all, of Maslow’s 15 characteristics of self-actualized people? Even as we age, the creative process carries well into the later years of life. In fact, seniors who have internalized their creative abilities are more likely to remain open to new experiences and ideas, have healthy attitudes, and participate in new learning activities that prolong their lives. Creativity (and creative processes) is all around. Listening to new ideas and opinions, and the ability to find and solve problems, learning from mistakes and moving on despite setbacks all contribute to creativity and positively impact personal growth and self-actualization.
There is a distinction between those self-actualized individuals who use creativity daily and those who exhibit a specific creative talent. The question is: Can you be creative without having a specific great talent? Maslow explains, “…that an individual need not possess exceptional artistic, literary, scientific, or entrepreneurial talent to consider yourself a creative person and live a creative life.” Specific talent must be taught in a content area like art, music, literature, dance, etc. Self-actualization, however, can be successfully taught in a content free manner. Everyone can become a more flexible, imaginative, productive, creative thinker by embracing creativity!
Read 5 Creativity Myths You Probably Believe by Christian Jarrett. This essay was adapted from Christian’s book Great Myths of the Brain where he seeks out exciting new research and showcases its relevance for life.