There’s a funny story which has been circulating for years, about how NASA scientists tried to solve the problem of getting a ballpoint pen to work in space. They spent a huge amount of money on this problem.
In the end, Soviet scientists solved the problem by using a pencil.
This is a classic example of creative thinking, or as corporate speak puts it, ‘thinking outside of the box’.
Human beings are notorious for tapping in to creativity and producing amazing things as a result. You only have to wander through some of our finest capital cities, globally, to see the effect which creativity has on the essence of what it means to be human.
Art galleries, museums, concert halls and film studios are overflowing with a continual stream of bright, talented people seeking to find ways to vent their creativity.
And for as many people out there who have something to create, there are an equal number of people who enjoy the results of the creative process.
Every time we sit down and read a book, admire a beautiful work of art or hum along to our favourite song, we’re reaping the benefits of the human will to create.
Blogging is the same.
Without this strange compulsion which people have to express themselves, the internet wouldn’t have blogs. Instead, we’d be reading lists and manuals rather than laughing and building up great online relationships.
Just like any other media, blogging takes an element of creative spirit to make it flourish.
Can you remember when you were a child, and you used to play alone?
You’d use anything — kitchen utensils, crayons, sand — to produce something.
Whether or not you were doing something which your parents could understand, you still knew naturally how to create, and that the act itself was important.
As we get older, this creative spirit gets dulled down by work, paying bills, and being responsible. Instead of sitting down to draw a picture, adults need to clean the house, or deal with the finances.
We don’t get many opportunities to play anymore.
This explains why hobbies such as dolls house renovation or pottery still hold wide appeal — they provide legitimate platforms for people to express themselves. Because we’re not supposed to climb trees, paint pictures in the sand or go wild with a tub of paint anymore, we find reasonable alternatives instead.
Most people get scared when they are asked to be creative.
If you were handed a bunch of crayons at work and asked to draw a picture, the chances are you’d find it hard to do it without feeling self-conscious.
Similarly, for most people, the thought of being told to write a poem or a story fills them with dread. This is because as time goes on, most of us forget that basic innate skill and start worrying.
What will people think if we’re caught playing? What would happen if the results of our creativity got judged or laughed at?
It’s a horrible thought, and usually enough to put us off playing in favour of doing productive things that don’t carry any risk of exposure.
The only people who harness their creative power perfectly seem to be musicians, writers and artists. Somehow, making noise, writing stories and painting pictures have slipped past the net of disapproval and are (mostly) considered to be legitimate ways of expressing ourselves.
Artists like Banksy have pushed the boundaries, making it acceptable to scrawl on walls.
The Turner Prize is always full of artists who are claiming back their childlike imagination and thrusting it forward for everyone to see.
While these people may be judged on their artistic merit, they’re not judged for what is, essentially, playing.
Here’s the thing…
Every single one of us, however staid, old or cynical, still has an urge to create. People who write music or stories start to fidget if they are taken away from their tools for too long. We all crave, inside, the ability to be able to let off steam, and show our emotions, through artistic expression in one form or another.
People who whistle in the shower, decorate cakes, or design their living room so it looks how they want it are all creating in their own way.
We don’t lose the power to express ourselves, we just shove it away with our embarrassing childhood pictures and tell it to shut up when it starts clamouring to be let out.
If you were let loose in a big white room now, with eight tins of paint and a promise that no-one would see the result, how would you react?
I don’t think you’d decorate it beautifully, with neat edges and perfect borders. More likely, if you’re like me, you’d roll up your sleeves and go for it, flinging paint on the walls and quite possibly rolling in it.
Do you know that there are places where normal people can go to do just that?
It’s not some weird fetish, it’s simply the act of giving permission to be creative in a non-judgmental environment.
Most people know, inherently, how to be creative.
When it comes to your blog, maybe you just need to let go.
Get thinking when you brush your teeth about what you want to say. Play with it in your head, and spill it out on the page.
No-one will judge you.
Think of it like getting a big box of Lego, Play-Doh or a great set of brand new crayons, itching to be picked up and written with.
This is your new, acceptable, adult outlet for creativity.
Give it a chance, and watch it grow.
About Donny
I’m Donny. I can sum myself up with four simple ways. Online Entrepreneur. Author. Investor. World Traveler
Wonderful! I myself have a very creative side. I am the one always drawing pictures and creating items out of items.
I started my blog thinking I would be very rigid and informative. But I quickly bored of it all. My blog was supposed to be telling people how to be frugal and giving facts and such. Now in 3 short months it is turning into a melting pot of fun & games (still with info thrown in)…I am leaning more towards the ‘living side’ of life. And I have to tell you that I am having much more fun — the ideas are just bursting inside my head of things to come.
It really does sound like you are having fun and it’s great you have change the approach to blogging. Do you feel you are making more connections with your audience this way?
Andrew
Hi Andrew
Thank your for your post. This is so true. Somehow adult life becomes too serious and we forget our inner child.
I have started to become aware of it and doing fun things. But I am still busy finding my lost creativity.
Andrea
What fun things are you doing. Go on…share with us…double dare ya!
Andrew
very interesting and informative post and really helpful for me to learn what is working steps for successful blogger. it is a reality that income generation varied depending on the market. That’s a good lesson for those of us starting out. Thank you for sharing!
technologiez
You are welcome. You are just starting your journey? Good luck.
Andrew
Great stuff Andrew!
Love the example of:
“If you were let loose in a big white room now, with eight tins of paint and a promise that no-one would see the result, how would you react?”
Adults are way too stuffy, but I find that “they” (I’ll never consider myself one though I’m 42!) claim to want to let their inner child out, but they look the other way and pretend not to know me when I do it!
What do you do to let your inner child out?
Andrew
Well I have aspergers, so I just think like a child a lot of the time. Like I ask dog owners “Can I say hello to your dog?” Or I photograph inanimate objects that appear to have faces (like my neighbor’s front door) Or I sing all the time, and people think I’m simple!
Great post!.
what a good way to compare it with the childhood.
Thanks, Nihar.
Andrew
A very inspirational post, especially for newer bloggers like myself. We all want to express our creative side, and this is just a confirmation of what we all already knew inside.
Looking forward to reading more great Daily Blogging tips!
Thanks Jozef.
I’m glad the post helped.
Andrew
Nice post dude!
I really liked how you figured it out. At our childhood we used to play with things without thinking about what others will say about it, or how friends are going to judge about it. But as we grown up, these complexities often come as obstacles for doing some new things.
You nicely connected the life with blogging. I am inspired from your writing.
Ron
Thank you, Ron, for those kinds words.
Somehow we need to throw away our inhibitions!
Andrew
Great points presented in a very attractive way. Comparing things with our childhood is always sweet and we could learn a lot from it.
Thanks for sharing.
Roshan,
What did you learn from it?
Andrew
Andrew, very refreshing way to look at blogging. Makes me feel like relaxing about all the stuff that has to get done, and easing into the fun stuff like creating and writing. Time to stop being so serious. I think you’re right. Let go and it will grow.
Karie,
“Let go and it will grow”.
I like that!
Andrew
Katie
Sorry – finger trouble – spelt your name wrong in previous comment – sorry.
Andrew
Andrew
Thank you for this, and for allowing us all to go back in time! I love the creative side of life, and as my business is creating gift boxes for my customers, I struggle some nights to close down my creative, playful busy brain for sleep, because life is fun. In fact when things get too serious, like having to pay the bills, I prefer to think of it more as a game, and turn it into a challenge. Playing is so much fun, and creating is the same and the hardest part is to stop this sometimes. My best ideas flow from those childhood experiences and building on this is fantastic.
What an awesome post…and I would say enjoy being a kid again…make cards, blow bubbles or do whatever else allows you to play. You only get one round of life, so you might as well make it fun. Hey and don’t forget to laugh.
Diane,
Wow – sounds like you are having fun and being very creative at the same time. Have you ever grown up?
lol.
Andrew
I am remembering an old Seinfeld episode that involved a NASA pen which could write upside down. Fun.
My current favorite commercial on TV is the one where a 5 year old’s drawings come to life in the city and there is a lovely song which I have heard before, but have not been able to place. I’m thinking the song might be from Finnegan’s Rainbow, “What will be… in my imagination.” Thanks for letting me think about this.
We do need to play and lighten up. Of course, Piaget and the learning experts would say that was the only way to learn.
Mary
I am not familiar with that advert. I’m in the UK – different from you?
We all need to lighten up, don;t we…but we don’t – someone could be watching!
Andrew
This post too is creative in fact. Like it, Being a Kid again to explore the creativities.
Thanks, Pradeep.
Andrew
hey andrew,
this is really an inspiring post and insight for me. Your post has subsequently have me wondering and literally bringing me back towards my childhood times.
Back in those days, internet and computer wasn’t as ‘sophisticated’ as how we have now. I remember how i would scour around the house looking for ‘junks’ literally and started creating something new out with it. i remember how i would just walk into the kitchen and start mixing every piece of ingredient… imagining i was some kinda scientist at work.
practically i did create some personal ‘wonder’ that i was proud of that time.
however as you mentioned, as time passed and so did my age catch up, we are rather constricted with commitments that somehow force our child like mind to back off and start ‘living’ for real.
However, as i was always on the creative side, i was able to retain some of my childlike characteristics. i don’t mean jumping around and wailing . what i meant was that i get to learn from its best. as a child, we were never afraid to fail. in fact, we really have no idea what failing was. as a child, we weren’t afraid to try on new things. just like learning how to ride a 2 wheel bike. or roller blading.
apparently, such characteristics are still embedded deep within me. i am thankful that i have not lose such attributes.
maybe its time to reflect back and really find out exactly what we can learn during the times where we are still a kid.
=)
thank you andrew.
cheers
Febap,
I’m glad the post helped. Tell me, why don’t you jump around and wail?
That could be great fun and would make a funny video!
Andrew
Hey Andrew,
thanks for suggesting such a ‘gesture’ lol..
i think i will but obviously i will try not to make it public. =P
why? because i would rather be labeled as the ‘kid’ who make money online .. not the ‘kid-that-jumps-and-wail-in-you-tube who makes money online’ .. hmp..
=P
peace man~
Daniel,
Just want to say thanks for letting me guest post again.
How you getting on with SubScribers Magnet?
Andrew
Thinking-out-of-the box always helps. Most of the times we confine ourselves & are puzzled by offering ourselves with the complex solutions.
Taking a break & going for brainstorming sessions may help…
Basant,
Is that what you do – take a break & go for a brainstorm session?
Have you come up with some great out-of-thebox- ideas that way?
Andrew
Most of the great bloggers are outside of the box thinkers, so it just goes to show that taking an intelligent, yet different route can often lead to success in such a competitive entrepreneurial field.
That’s true. What do you do that’s different?
Andrew
Thanks for the great insight. This is one of the things I like best about my blog. I can say whatever I want. I am free to have fun with it.
I look forward to hearing more from you.
Rafael
Rafael,
True – you can be as creative as you want to stand out and do you? (stand out, that is).
Andrew
Hey Andrew,
Another awesome Post man.
You’ve mentioned some great points.
Really Very motivational Post.
Thanks for sharing this great Post.
~Dev
Thanks, Dev.
Andrew
This is an eye opener.
There are so many things that hold me back.
I guess I have to at least try my ideas out before casting them aside due to fear, insecurity or plain weirdness!
Hi Carey
Go ahead and try – what is the worst thing that could happen?
Andrew
Awesome, motivational post Andrew!
I really like how you point out how us grown ups tend to ignore creativity. In fact, we tend to get scared of trying ANYTHING new, whereas in our child hood, it was so easy to do new things, without even thinking.
But now, we just get scared of even the though of trying out new and creative things ‘what if something goes wrong’ ‘what if someone doesn’t like it’ ‘what if that happens’ ‘what if that doesn’t happen’ etc All these thoughts plague our minds as soon as something creative comes to our minds, whereas in our childhood, we used to do it so easily.
Kindest,
Nabeel
So true, Nabeel. Do the things you mention stop you / hold you back?
Andrew
This is a great example of how to blog and enjoy it, while gaining the interest of your readers.
Sometimes people get tired of ultra hi-tech blogs that are zooming so fast that people can’t catch up. Going back to the basics and trying out many techniques and getting creative will not only make people think to themselves, “what a great blog!”, but you will expand yourself as a person in the process.
And it is about coming out of your comfort zone…
Andrew