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Doubt You’re Creative? Here’s the Overwhelming Case for Your Defence

By Dan Goodwin

One of the most powerful limiting beliefs we can hold about our creativity and one that can appear in various destructive guises is simply:

“I am not a creative person”

If we believe this statement, and act as if we believe it, it can hinder and sabotage virtually every part of our creative lives.

Here’s a different way of looking at that belief that can help you begin to uncover the reality that in fact, you are far more creative than you realise.

Imagine you’ve been brought to trial on a court of law in an alternative society. You’ve been accused of not being creative and in this culture that’s an unforgivable crime. The only way to freedom, in fact the only way to spare your life, is to convince the judge and the jury that you in fact ARE a highly creative person.

The prosecuting lawyer approaches you. “I put it to you the simple fact that you are not creative. What do you have to say in your defence?”

So what WOULD you say? What evidence do you have that you are a creative person?

First of all, think about the statement itself. If someone said to you “You are not creative”, what’s your initial reaction? Defiance, indignation, outrage? Or agreement, acceptance and resignation?

Remember in this alternative court of law you’re literally fighting for your life and your freedom. What do you tell the judge and the jury to show them how creative you are? How many different ways can you convincingly destroy the prosecuting lawyer’s ridiculous claim that you are not creative?

Think about everything you do that’s creative, whether in a recognised art form, such as writing stories or composing music, or more subtle everyday, but equally powerful ways of being creative, such as preparing a meal, organising a party or choosing an outfit.

The lawyer demands you to list 5 ways you’ve been creative today. Take your time, what would you say?

Pushing you further, the lawyer then demands you give 5 examples of creative work or projects that you’re proud of. You can do it, make the list now.

Sensing your strength and starting to panic, the lawyer takes a different angle, suggesting that creativity is an internationally recognised standard and unless you confirm exactly to its preset conditions you’re not creative. Calmly explain how creativity is unique to each of us and then what creativity, and being creative, means specifically to you.

Finally, with the prosecuting lawyer sweating and seriously floundering, as an additional support to your defence, you call out your 3 star witnesses. These are 3 people who are supportive of your creativity and give evidence of how creative you are. Who are they, and what do they say?

The prosecution stutters, stumbles, and realising the overwhelming weight of evidence against his line of approach and his accusation, admits defeat. You’re acquitted and set free to return to your life of creativity!

This of course is only a fictional scenario. The point is though, that we are each more creative than we realise and give ourselves credit for. By imagining our creativity was under intense examination, and that we were quite literally fighting for our lives, we can come up with a whole host of evidence of how creative we are, much of which we conveniently forget or discount.

So be generous and be kind to yourself. Next time you start to think you’re not creative, remember the evidence, remember the truth that you ARE abundantly creative in your own unique and many different ways. •

© Copyright 2006 Dan Goodwin

About the Author | More by Dan Goodwin
Creativity Coach Dan Goodwin is the author of “Create Create!”, a FREE twice monthly ezine for people who want simple and powerful articles, tips and exercises to help them unleash their creative talents. Sign up right now and get your FREE “Explode Your Creativity!” Action Workbook, at www.CoachCreative.com.

09/27/06