The Surprising Way to Foster More Creativity in Your Life

Anyone who knows someone who is a right-brain thinker, may have found it odd when receiving the response, “I was busy thinking.” Similar to how a businessman may keep busy by making calls, a creative person keeps busy by being creative. According to Kevin Ashton in his article “Creative People Say No,” he very appropriately states,

“Creating consumes. It is all day, every day. It knows neither weekends nor vacations. It is not when we feel like it. It is habit, compulsion, obsession, vocation. The common thread that links creators is how they spend their time.”

Interestingly enough, although being a “yes” wo(man) has its sparks with inducing ideas via experiences, saying “no,” also has its upsides that enhance creativity. As Ashton proposes, saying no = time.

“Saying “no” has more creative power than ideas, insights and talent combined. No guards time, the thread from which we weave our creations. The math of time is simple: you have less than you think and need more than you know. We are not taught to say “no.” We are taught not to say “no.””

Creative work takes more than simply making to-do lists, it take ideas. Time, along with many other assets, fuels ideas, and ideas result in creativity. However, the tricky part to meeting self-set/ obligated deadlines is that time doesn’t wait. That’s where “no” comes in handy. Yes, “no” may elicit some guilt, but for the right reasons, it’s a gesture that can transform into a habit if put to use.

““No” makes us aloof, boring, impolite, unfriendly, selfish, anti-social, uncaring, lonely and an arsenal of other insults. But “no” is the button that keeps us on.“

Sprinkling some perspective on these details, saying yes, sometimes, also means going against our intuitions. And all creative minds know that following your intuition is the root to art. After all, art based on dreams and intuition did Salvador Dali wonders!

So, say yes to creative pursuits, but make sure to leave some room for the “no’s”.