‘The key question isn't “What fosters creativity?" But it is why in God's name isn't everyone creative? Where was the human potential lost? How was it crippled? I think therefore a good question might be not why do people create? But why do people not create or innovate? We have got to abandon that sense of amazement in the face of creativity, as if it were a miracle if anybody created anything.’ – Abraham Maslow Is Maslow’s assumption that all people can create correct? If so, what keeps individuals from being creative? These questions will be addressed in this teleclass through the insights from thought leaders in business, education, the arts, coaching, science. Participants will learn what creativity is and how to engage it. They will gain understanding of the role it plays in a variety of processes critical to personal growth, resilience, and innovation. This understanding, enhanced by examples of creative expressions, will spur on participants to invite innovation into daily life. In so doing, a license will be granted them to transcend the limits of judgment enough to explore and act upon their true self with or without ADHD.

1. Creative Living
License to be YOU
W
With ADHD
D

2. “The creative process is both predictable and
unpredictable. It is both composition and
improvisation.
improvisation There is a balance of the intuitive and
the rational. There is an ever-increasing process of
learning, and adjusting your actions based on your
learning. Each creator has his or her own personal
rhythms. The process is individually developed and
personally tailored to take into account such
variables as temperament, personality,
idiosyncrasies, strengths, weaknesses, tastes,
aspirations, and interests.” (Fritz, creating, pg. 8 p 2)

3. Objective
Obj ti
Qualify the relevance of creativity, particularly
for those with AD/HD
Describe and define creative living
Inspire hope that anyone can be creative
Equip with the guidelines toward creativity

4. Agenda
A d
Relevance of Creativity
Creativity
Creative Living

5. RELEVANCE OF CREATIVITY

6. Relevance of C ti it
R l f Creativity
Success factor for adults with learning
disabilities and/or AD/HD
Problem solving
Introduce newness and/or improvement
Enriches culture and life
Expression of emotion/energy
Dave Brubeck performs to Ansel Adams
photos
CHAD -Charter High School for
Architecture and Design

7. Relevance of Creativity
It moves focus from self onto something new
It is a generative – life-giving process
It relieves tension
Increase daily wonder and excitement
y
Revitalizes thinking about life
Works your right brain
Expands sense of self (through self-
forgetfulness)

8. Right d L ft Brain
Ri ht and Left B i
Creativity works two hemispheres of the brain:
Left hemisphere Right hemisphere
Sequential Simultaneous
Literalness Big picture
Analysis Synthesis
Logic Emotional expression

9. WHAT IS CREATIVITY

10. Process
“a process by which a symbolic
domain in the culture is changed.
g
New songs, new ideas, new
machines are what creativity is
y
about.” (Csikszentmihalyi)

11. Process
Preparation
Elaboration Incubation
CREATIVITY
Evaluation Insight

12. System
S t
According to Csikszentmihalyi, creativity is
found in a system consisting of:
“a culture that contains symbolic rules,
a person who brings novelty into the symbolic
domain,
d i
and a field of experts who recognized and
validate th i
lid t the innovation.”
ti ”

13. System
S t
Macintosh
Apple I

14. Way f S i
W of Seeing
“the ability to see things in a new light (or from
a different perspective)… Creativity is the
knack of looking f answers i unexpected
k k f l ki for in t d
places.” (Edwards)

15. Force
Tension between reality and vision (Senge)
vision
Creative tension
reality

16. Force used in h
F d i honor of th f
f the four…
Vision …way to give tribute, honor, and opportunity for grieving
Reality… four Oakland officers killed in one incident, shock, grief

17. CREATIVE LIVING
Infusing creativity into daily life and planning

18. Source of wisdom
S f i d
Researched qualities of the creative
Known blocks
Advice from scholars and practitioners
Experience of creative adults with ADHD
p

19. Qualities
Q liti
Intelligence Verbally fluent
Quickly able to Independent
assess problems and Tolerate ambiguity
scan idideas Assertive/confident
Open to experience High energy
Internal balance
I t lb l Courage of beliefs
Able to internalize Willing to take risks
g
and express
d
conflicting thoughts Visualize problems
Think metaphorically Flexible with decisions
Complexity
(MacKinnon1976, Baraon & Harrington 1981, Feist 1998, Tardif & Sternberg 1988 in Sawyer 2006) (Csikszentmihalyi 1996)

20. Advice
Ad i
Exercise the right side of the brain
Harness the ADHD tendencies:
Team up with opposites
Earn Your License

21. Blocks to C ti it
Bl k t Creativity
Judgment
Too many demands – cannot activate the
energy for creativity
Distractions – inability to hold onto the
creative energy or focus
Laziness – lack of discipline to manage the
energy
Not knowing what to do with the energy
Lack f l it b t lf
L k of clarity about self

22. License
Li
“freedom to deviate deliberately from normally
applicable rules or practices (especially in
behavior
b h i or speech)” h)”

23. Learning
L i
Be curious about things, people, situations,
yourself
Learn about self: strengths, passions,
interests, rhythm
Learn something new
Learn how to draw
Learn how to tell stories
Learn more about the domain in which you
wish to create

24. Intention
I t ti
Decide what you want
Be deliberate
Set goals
Have a plan
p
Design in accordance with your style

25. Connection
C ti
Connect with what you love and what inspires
you
Connect with others
Connect with the problem you want to solve
Connect with your goal - invest

26. Exploration
E l ti
Explore possibilities with your mind
Try things out, test the waters

27. Negative S
N ti Space
Look at the opposite
Consider the other side of a trait
If you are always open, make a decision to
decide
If you keep tight control, try being open
Consider the antagonist’s side of the story
antagonist s

28. Schedule
S h d l
Make time for all aspects of the creative
process. (Incubation requires a change in
scenery))
Make time for relaxation and work
Get enough sleep, exercise
Build a schedule that works with your cycle
and rhythm

29. Evaluation
E l ti
Consider what you want to invest your time,
energy, and devotion to: does it make use of
who you are? Will you enjoy it? I it
h ? j Is
meaningful to you? Does it fit with your
vision?
Consider what works and doesn’t work in
your plans and actions Don’t judge
actions. judge.
Choose ideas selectively. Let intuition and
gut be one i fl
tb influence – not the only one.
t th l

30. You have earned your license

31. Now go live creatively
and be YOU!
If you have any questions or wish to
receive a list of resources that will
help you become more creative,
contact me. O S h b
t t Ose Schwab
ose@potentiavita.com or
@p
781-480-3214