Albert Einstein said, “The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources.”
I do not believe he was endorsing plagiarism, but he was endorsing creativity. You see, creativity comes from other people’s ideas. There is NOTHING new under the sun. If you are waiting to create something brand new that no one has ever heard of you will be waiting a VERY long time. The most innovative people build upon the brilliance of others. They take what has already been discovered and push the limit just a little further.
The great enemy of creativity is cynicism. When cynicism creeps in your mind, you will start to dismiss your ideas as unoriginal and worthless. This is why most people never tap into their creative potential. They are constantly searching for the next best idea, but never find it. Therefore, they become cynical of themselves and give up in their innovative quests.
Here are 3 ways to destroy cynicism and release your creative power…
1. STOP Comparing Your Work
Do the best you can and stop comparing it to others. The more you compare, the more you will feel inferior. There is always someone a little further along and better than you…learn from them, don’t be limited by them. The moment you compare your work is the moment you will start to deflate your creativity.
2. STOP Saying You’re Unoriginal
What you continually say is what you will constantly live. You can’t speak failure over life and expect to live successfully. Quit saying your work is no good, quit saying you aren’t creative, quit saying no one will like it. Start believing in yourself and you will see your innovation rise to new levels.
3. STOP Hiding Your Work
When you are cynical about your work, you hide it from others. You feel it is no good, therefore, it will never get better. Why? Because you aren’t putting yourself out there to get better. You have to get a result in order to improve a result. Part of getting good, is getting something to make good. Show your work to others and open yourself up. Innovation thrives from vulnerability.
Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.