What to do when you’re not creative

I recently watched a short video from John Maxwell  on creativity.

What an important value to build. But what to do when you’re not creative? John suggested “borrow it from others, then build on it.”

As I highlighted in another blog post, creativity can be defined as the capacity to produce something that is both unique and useful. Unfortunately, I’ve personally experienced many occasions where this capacity was simply missing.

As a leader, when someone brought me a problem I was expected to ‘create’ the solution. No, I am not expected to always have the answer. But even when it should have been a simple task to “think up” potential solutions the capacity to create just wasn’t there.

Was the problem that I was too tired? Overwhelmed? Or was my creativity tank just plain empty.

Personally, I have found a strong correlation between creative capacity and personal growth. If I’m not growing personally or professionally, then my creative ability dwindles. I need to constantly be filling the tank.

This is where John’s point of borrowing from others is so enlightening. We can recharge by engaging in healthy discussions with others or attending conferences. We can refuel by reading books or blogs.

I know when my creative ability is ‘on’. If I am constantly referencing books I’ve just read or highlighting recent conversations with others, then my capacity to offer creative solutions seems to pour forth with ease, and surprising relevance.

If the popular saying is true “you are what you eat” then creativity is a value that everyone can build by consistently consuming healthy content – from others.