HEALTHY LIFESTYLE · JUNE 2018
HOW TO BE MORE CREATIVE : My Story From Failure To Success
Learning to be creative wasn ’ t a something I simply wanted to learn . I had become creative to save my job …
THE DANGER OF SCHOOL SUCCESS
When I was in school success came easy . I listened to my teacher , did my homework and felt good inside when I saw my grades . Maybe you knew a kid like me in your school . Many kids resented my followthe-rules and get good grades attitude , but if they knew where that attitude and behavior would lead me , they would have pitied me instead .
MY STRUGGLES IN THE REAL- WORLD ( NOT KNOWING HOW TO BE MORE CREATIVE )
Life couldn ’ t be more different from school . The office and the classroom are practically two different planets . And in preparing myself for the classroom , I wasn ’ t ready for the cubicle .
When I began working in an office , as a financial analyst for a small investment firm , I was out of my element . I would follow the company processes only to have my manager to tell me they were out of date . I would be attentive to prospective clients , only for them to not to sign-up . The be good and follow the rules model from school wasn ’ t working . It was as if the rules had been flipped on their heads . In a sense , they were .
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CLASSROOM AND CAREERS
School is a controlled environment . The curriculum doesn ’ t change , and the teacher can teach what will be on the test . If you follow the rules , you win . It ’ s simple .
But in the real world , the environment is dynamic and constantly changing . What was true today , may not be true tomorrow . What worked yesterday , may not work today . The real-world is complex .
Straightforward analytical thinking is a sure path to success in school . Do the readings , follow the steps and you ’ re set . But that ’ s not what ’ s valued in the workforce . That ’ s not how winners are made .
CREATIVITY RESCUED ME
Thankfully , a mentor introduced me to the importance of applying creativity in the workforce . It turned my career around . At the end of my first six months , I was struggling . But by the end of 18 months , I had been promoted and landed three new clients .
Becoming more creative doesn ’ t happen by accident , but there are three practices that help your build the skill of creativity : 1 . Ask questions . 2 . Internalize your knowledge . 3 . Be open .
Now you know the importance of creativity , and you know how to build your creativity skills . Here ’ s some inspiring quotes to help you push you into action :
“ You can ’ t wait for inspiration , you have to go after it with a club .” – Jack London
“ Creativity is the act of turning new and imaginative ideas into reality .” – Unknown
“ Every child is an artist . The problem is staying an artist when you grow up .” – Pablo Picasso
“ We have to continually be jumping off cliffs and developing our wings on the way down .” – Kurt Vonnegut
“ Great minds discuss ideas . Average minds discuss events . Small minds discuss people .” – Henry Thomas Buckle
By Thomas Raider
22 HEALTHY MAGAZINE