Creativity requires years of hard work and practice in order to develop techniques and talents. While natural abilities are influenced by many factors, true creativity emerges through diligent training of at least 10,000 hours, as well as maintaining an open and curious mindset. Problems are best solved through breaking them into components, brainstorming multiple solutions, and testing ideas through patience and failure.

1. Chapter 10Chapter 10
A Creative LifeA Creative Life

2. CreativityCreativity
Creativity can be a flash of enlightenment, but itCreativity can be a flash of enlightenment, but it
almost always follows year of hard work, research,almost always follows year of hard work, research,
and thinking.and thinking.
DonaldCooper/PhotostageLtd.

3. A Creative LifeA Creative Life
“While the intelligent person
arrives at the correct answer
more or less quickly, the creative
individual is more likely to be
fluent, to come up with many
plausible answers and, perhaps,
even with some answers of
striking originality.”
Howard Gardner and
Constance Wolf,
Psychologists, in “The fruits of
asynchrony: A psychological
examination of creativity”
“It takes at least five
years of rigorous
training to be
spontaneous.”
Martha Graham, (1894-
1991) American modern
dance choreographer
and dancer

4. fromfrom Frames of Mind: The Theory of MultipleFrames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple
IntelligencesIntelligences by Howard Gardnerby Howard Gardner
“We all possess different types of
intelligence, not just the kind measured with
a standard IQ test. It is our unique
combination of these intelligences that
makes up our talents.”
IntelligenceIntelligence

5. Identify Your IntelligencesIdentify Your Intelligences
1. Linguistic – ability to use written or spoken1. Linguistic – ability to use written or spoken
languagelanguage
2. Musical – ability related to musical expression2. Musical – ability related to musical expression
3. Logical-mathematical – ability to analyze3. Logical-mathematical – ability to analyze
problems logicallyproblems logically
4. Spatial – ability to understand and manipulate4. Spatial – ability to understand and manipulate
spacespace
5. Bodily-kinesthetic – ability related to using the5. Bodily-kinesthetic – ability related to using the
body as a primary means of expressionbody as a primary means of expression
6. Personal –ability to understand one’s own6. Personal –ability to understand one’s own
feelingsfeelings

6. Creativity and TechniqueCreativity and Technique
Techniques areTechniques are
procedures that haveprocedures that have
been proven to workbeen proven to work
repeatedly. They arerepeatedly. They are
methods by which amethods by which a
complex task can becomplex task can be
accomplished.accomplished.
RobbieJack/CORBIS

7. Creativity and TalentCreativity and Talent
Talent is a natural ability.Talent is a natural ability.
 Talent can be influenced by:Talent can be influenced by:
 EnvironmentEnvironment
 EducationEducation
 CultureCulture
 ReligionReligion
 SocietySociety
 And many other factorsAnd many other factors

8. Characteristics of CreativeCharacteristics of Creative
PeoplePeople
A Burning CuriosityA Burning Curiosity
The Power of ConcentrationThe Power of Concentration
The Ability to Find OrderThe Ability to Find Order
Mental Agility and Ability to Find OptionsMental Agility and Ability to Find Options
Willingness to Take Risks and AcceptWillingness to Take Risks and Accept
FailureFailure

9. The 10,000 Hour RuleThe 10,000 Hour Rule
InIn Outliers: The Story of Success,Outliers: The Story of Success, MalcolmMalcolm
Gladwell suggests that all masters of creativityGladwell suggests that all masters of creativity
-- from Bill Gates to Michael Jordan-- spent a-- from Bill Gates to Michael Jordan-- spent a
minimum of 10,000 hours practicing before theyminimum of 10,000 hours practicing before they
rose to significant and consistent success.rose to significant and consistent success.

10. Enhancing Your CreativityEnhancing Your Creativity
Consider your environmentConsider your environment
Temper your criticismTemper your criticism
Assess your motivationAssess your motivation
Adjust your scheduleAdjust your schedule
Let your mind wanderLet your mind wander
Change your lifeChange your life

11. Creativity is About Problem SolvingCreativity is About Problem Solving
• Specify the problemSpecify the problem
• Break the problemBreak the problem
into smallerinto smaller
componentscomponents
• Brainstorm forBrainstorm for
possible solutionspossible solutions
• Test the solutions toTest the solutions to
see if it workssee if it works
WilliamMissouriDowns

12. A Director PreparesA Director Prepares
by Anne Bogart - American Directorby Anne Bogart - American Director
“Do not assume that you have to have some
prescribed conditions to do your best work. Do not
wait. … Work with what you have right now. Work
with the people around you right now. … Do not
wait for maturity or insight or wisdom. Do not wait
till you are sure that you know what your are doing.
Do not wait until you have enough technique. ..
And, … be patient.”

13. Curtain CallCurtain Call
““Ever tried. Ever failed.Ever tried. Ever failed.
No matter.No matter.
Try again. Fail again.Try again. Fail again.
Fail better.”Fail better.”
Samuel Beckett, PlaywrightSamuel Beckett, Playwright
RobLevine/CourtesyTheChildren’sTheatreCompany,Minneapolis