Success Lifestyle Magazine Issue 6- October 2019 | Page 9

Creatives sometimes feel isolated because they seem a bit queer. It’s often an uphill battle, especially when a creative becomes an
entrepreneur. Some creatives have mastered their craft and become household names, others struggle to ‘get a buss’ and ‘eat a food’.
Though bridging the gap can be tedious, it’s definitely not impossible. Here are a few guidelines to help you hone your talent and be
a successful creative in Jamaica.
Who is a creative?
Chances are that one friend you know who
can sometimes appear to be detached from
the rest of the world, toggling from
daydream to reality, might just be a
genuine creative mind. While there may
be subtle differences from individual to
individual, a bonafide creative will display
some revealing characteristics. They’re
often innovative, witty and observant with
a voracious appetite for learning. This
doesn’t mean that some persons are
bursting at the seams with creativity and
others are completely devoid of the trait. It
means that, much like the ability to sing,
some might be more adept than others.
" Creatives sometimes feel
isolated because they
seem a bit queer "
Creativity is not happenstance. In fact, it’s
so systematic that it has its own theory.
The Componential Theory of Creativity is
the brainchild of Theresa Amabile and it
specifies that peak creativity is achieved
when certain conditions are met in an
individual. Creatives are at the top of their
game when they’re intrinsically motivated,
highly skilled in a particular field with
superb creative thinking skills all existing
in an environment that fosters this
creativity.
Identifying your
creative side
Have you ever marvelled at the sheer
power of your mind when you’re backed
Issue �: October ����
into a corner with nowhere else to turn?
Some of the most notable creative thinkers
conjured their world famous ideas when
they were down trodden or after multiple
failures. Adversity can sometimes be the
trigger in a domino effect that leads to
success. However, you shouldn’t have to
wait for adversity to spark creativity; you
know yourself and find out what you’re
good at. Additionally, having an already
established talent shouldn’t excuse you
from identifying and developing other
talents. There’s always room for
improvement and sharpening your skills is
crucial for remaining relevant in this
dynamic entrepreneurial climate.
know the variables that lead to maximum
creativity and so you can create the
conditions that are ripe for it.
Find out what motivates or
inspires you
Intrinsic motivation is one condition
highlighted in Amabile’s theory. It refers to
a behaviour driven by internal satisfaction;
your actions are independent of external
rewards. We have all experienced bursts of
inspiration at some point or another where
we’re so full of energy that we could take
on any feat and emerge unscathed.
Tapping into these moments of magic can
increase creativity tenfold. The euphoric
feeling of invincibility can fuel bursts of
creativity and the good news is you don’t
have to wait around for these bursts of
inspiration; you can create them.
The right environment
There are many instances where naturally
creative individuals are virtually neutered
by soul sucking environments that
massacre motivation and crush creativity.
Distancing
yourself
from
these
environments and designing your own
personal safe haven will work wonders for
your creativity. The right environment is
not only a physical space but a mental one
as well. Activities such as yoga and
meditation are famed for calming the mind
and in essence create a clean slate for your
creativity.
"Creatives are at the top
of their game when they’re
intrinsically motivated"
Participate in activities that can lead to
those moments of inspiration. Find out
what works for you and create the
atmosphere that fosters your creativity.
Hone your talents
Everyone has a talent. Some people are
fortunate enough to be able to identify
talents readily, but it’s not so cut and dry
for others. Do some soul searching, get to
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