
Creativity is a desire we all harbor, even if you believe you're not naturally creative. R. Keith Sawyer, P.H.D., an associate professor of education and psychology, reminds us that "no one is born highly creative." The key to creativity lies in understanding the subject matter you want to be creative in.
Often, we're awestruck by artists, be they painters or musicians, and marvel at their work, deeming them geniuses or highly creative individuals. What we tend to overlook is the relentless hard work they've poured into mastering their craft.
The phrases "Everything has already been thought of" and "I'm just not a creative person" have likely crossed your mind. We've all experienced moments of frustration, cursing ourselves for what seems like a lack of creativity compared to others.
However, many psychologists argue that creativity isn't an inborn trait but a skill—one that's learnable. Being creative doesn't happen overnight; every artist who now appears creative has endured countless failures to reach their current level. So, instead of berating yourself, start by determining the field in which you want to unleash your creativity.
Creativity is a gateway to innovation, and it demands time, effort, and numerous failures. Your masterpiece won't materialize in a day; it requires practice.
How to Achieve It
Inventor James Dyson's words resonate: "I made 5,127 prototypes of my vacuum before I got it right. There were 5,126 failures. But I learned from each one. That’s how I came up with the solution. So I don’t mind failure."
Life isn't a win-lose game; it's a journey where you only truly fail when you give up. To determine if your idea is innovative, you must implement it, creating a product or prototype. There's a substantial difference between imagining something and actually building it.
Consider a drawing competition. You imagine what you'll draw, but the result often falls short of your vision. This is why prototypes are crucial. They reveal errors and bridge the gap between imagination and reality.
For example, the marshmallow challenge pits kindergarten students against MBA graduates. Despite the maturity advantage of the latter, the kindergartners often outperform them. Why? The kids don't wait for the perfect idea; they learn by doing, figuring out what works along the way.
#1 Prototype
Prototyping is the bedrock of innovation. You don't need to build an entire project each time, but creating a prototype is essential. It's an early sample of the final product, ensuring functionality and reducing errors.
#2 Fail Better
Masterpieces aren't crafted in one go; they're the result of countless failures, each offering a lesson. So, when a prototype doesn't meet expectations, don't rush into the next one. Analyze your failure and ensure that each subsequent attempt brings you closer to the final product. Failing better means a clearer picture of your ultimate innovation.
Practice is the key differentiator in creativity. As seen in a simple experiment, the 13-year-old didn't draw a happier face because of innate creativity; they had practiced drawing it more than the 3-year-old and the 8-year-old. Exposure and practice illuminate the path to creativity and innovation.

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