Creativity is not just about art, or being crafty, as is often thought. Creativity is an innate human ability to look at a challenge or a situation, make connections and see things differently, bringing the imagination to bear allowing interesting ideas and new ways of looking at it to bubble up.
But sometimes inspiration doesn’t strike. Sometimes, the imagination won’t ideate.
As a marketer and content creator, creativity—in all its forms and functions—is a vital component to my work.
Made ever more so with the increasing advances in AI, and the rise of AI-only created content, with no human in the creation process.
Creativity is part of what separates really good content from “the same old slog and blah.” What’s more, we all know it when we experience it.
Sometimes, though, it's not so easy tapping into that creativity and staying inspired to write well and create original pieces. And the world really needs original thoughts and ideas.
What is a content creator to do?
When your goal is to create content that is inspiring, original, and truly impactful, the path can feel really hard.
There is a litany of quotes out there about creativity. But anytime you feel like giving up, these are 6 of my favorites to return to (to remind you why you're doing what you're doing):
“Creativity is seeing what everyone else has seen, and thinking what no one else has thought.” ~ Albert Einstein
This quote reminds me that everyone has a unique perspective to offer, and your creativity is what gives your ideas originality.
“You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” ~ Maya Angelou
Because creativity is a human ability, available to everyone, this quote reminds me that if you stay open to that truth, you will never lack inspiration, as long as you stay true to your own original thinking.
“Don’t wait for inspiration. It comes while working." ~ Henri Matisse
As a follow-up to the second quote, this quote from the painter Matisse reminds me that when you think you have nothing creative in you, you have to just get to work. The very act of doing the work brings the creativity out of you.
“Create with the heart; build with the mind.” ~ Criss Jami
Content creation is all about putting out into the world new and interesting ideas about the world. This is, as Einstein shared with us in the first quote, the very definition of creativity. And it must come from your heart.
"There is no innovation and creativity without failure." ~ Brené Brown
This quote by the illustrious Brene’ Brown reminds me that any creative endeavor is messy, and therefore, falling on our face (failing) is inevitable. When we take it as feedback, we can add it to the repository of our experience and perception, thereby deepening the creativity within us.
“There is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all. Without creativity, there would be no progress, and we would be forever repeating the same patterns.” ~ Edward De Bono
This quote brings us full circle, to the idea that, especially in the world of marketing and content creation, original thought that gives birth to creative effort is vital to the very progress of humanity. Using our innate human creative abilities to put our ideas and work into the world is how we all help move the world forward.