Who is considered a creative?
cre·a·tive (krē-ā′tĭv)
– adjective
1. Having the ability or power to create
2. Productive; creating
3. Characterized by originality and expressiveness; imaginative
– noun
1. One who displays productive originality, typically in a professional context
In the business world, creatives may be considered those who are in careers such as commercial art, marketing, advertising, or writing. However, a creative is also someone who does just that: creating. Personal art, writing, crafting, blogging — it’s all creativity — whether you are in business with these interests or not.
I see myself in this second category since my blogging and writing are a part of my artistic output. But I also love to create with ink, paper, and vinyl.
Whether personally or professionally, creatives may often work alone in vocations or pursuits. They may feel alone or stuck, not knowing where to go or what to start next.
In his colorful little book, “Things Are What You Make of Them: Life Advice for Creatives,” Adam J. Kurtz offers cheeky, humorous yet honest inspiration “from one creative to another.” This book is the perfect gift for the personal or professional creative. The entire book is full of bite-sized nuggets of inspiration.
On procrastination, Kurtz says, “Turn your procrastinating into planning.” If you struggle with starting a new project or idea, figure out what steps need to be taken. (For blogging, it may be research, finding photos, links, etc.). Next, take those steps and organize them in manageable chunks. Voila – you have made use of your procrastination!
We may think that competition is healthy and beneficial to our work, but Kurtz says: Stop it. We are not in competition with everybody else. Each person’s efforts are specific and unique to them, and that needs to be embraced.
There are times when I compare myself to other bloggers when there isn’t much traffic or reaction to my posts. Kurtz says it is essential to remember that when “you love and find power in your own voice, it can be terrifying to share it. Trust that you are the exact thing that someone needs.”
Kurtz covers other topics in the book including staying sane when working from home, starting over, and working with family and friends, The author helps creatives take their next steps in creating and presenting their work.
If you are a blogger, where are you on your creative journey right now? Are you frustrated with planning? Do you believe that every step you take in your blogging is moving forward? Are you labeling yourself or feeling as though the competition is too big in the blogging world for anyone to hear your voice?
For some inspiration in your creative journey, there is much more to read in Adam J. Kurtz book. Keep it on hand for when you need a boost.
For more writing and blogging tips, visit these posts:
6 responses to “Do You Consider Yourself a “Creative?””
I love being creative, for over 50 years I've been creating window treatment designs and fabricating them also. I get such a joy out of doing something I love. My blog is creative to me, I never know what I will be creating when I write my stories especially the ones with Lia!
I'd like to think of myself as creative, but I really don't know if I create as much as I interpret what I see and experience. I take photographs, write a blog, draw, paint, etc. But I see all of that as documenting my world in a variety of ways. I used to see it as crativity, but I'm no longer as sure. Still, really interesting blog post. Definitely made me think.
I like this post so much! It is like you are reading my mind! All of us creatives need to stick together. My process is a chaotic but at the end of the day it comes together. Thanks for the book recommendation too.
I am in the “I dont know what I am doing ” mode this month.But I am trying to do the bit at a time creative thing.It works.Great post.
Hi YES, YES, YES. I am happiest when I am creative. I have run the gambit I've had a Candle making business, soap making business. Before Covid I was a caterer for many years. Ive picked up watercoloring in the last year. Now I am blogging I think humans need a creative outlet Yes any step forward is good! I find when I start to procrastinate sometimes I just need a new tactic to get the juices flowing. If I am havin gtrouble writing, I will pull out the crayons to work my brain in another way for a bit. I am not organized by nature so my creative process is a bit chaotic…lol but I still push forward. As a side note when I was married and the kids were little we homeschooled too ! Have a great day Jamie
Happy Saturday morning to you Angie…! Finding your creative self, love it!!! I definitely consider myself a creator. As you have seen from previous posts, I too am a paper crafter. That is one of my ' happy places'. Over the course of the last year though, that place has been turned upside down with life situations. For the last two months, I have been determined to find me again in that happy place of creativity. It is where I can lose my self and just be while creating beautiful things from nothing.When I worked outside of the home, I too was creative in my work. I planned and organized conferences, speaking engagements and other types of events. I enjoyed 'thinking outside of the box” many times. I create from a place of 'thinking outside of the box' in many instances as well. Have a wonderful weekend!Nancy