One of the most difficult things about creativity for me has been learning to be optimistic. And not just the kind of optimistic that sees a glass as half full; no, the kind of optimistic that looks at a problem, stops complaining and finds a way to fix it. I think we could all use a little help on the mindset shift.
Being a practical caricature of the millennial generation, I found myself being a cynic about almost everything. While it’s OK to be proud of the occasional sarcastic and witty quip, living a life in which you are constantly assuming the worst of people, society and life will leave you (and those around you) in a constant state of sadness and disappointment. You are constantly scrutinizing and dwelling on the problems instead of focusing your energy on the solutions.
However, a side effect of cynicism not often discussed is the effect it has on creativity and innovation. The crux of both creativity and innovation is identifying a problem and then imagining a new way to solve it.
This is the most important thing I could ever hope for you to learn from this column: if you don’t like something, if it annoys you or if it is ineffective, then realize you almost always have the power to change it (or at least change your perspective).
One of the “secrets” of creativity is usually just sitting down, thinking through something and re-imagining the possibilities.
Along with optimistic problem-solving, ditching the cynical attitude will also help you realize the importance of other people in your creative process. Just think about where creative ideas often grow. They may begin as a singular thought in the shower, but they fully come to life when you are sitting in a coffee shop with friends, wholeheartedly and boldly dreaming of plans and hopes for your ideas. To do so requires a certain amount of humility and optimism about possibilities and your own abilities.
Lastly, and closely related to a topic I’ve dedicated an entire 500 words to in the past, accept that failure is part of the creative process. Being more optimistic means taking the failures in stride, telling yourself you’ll learn from them and moving on to something bigger and better. It also means forcing yourself to zoom out and see the bigger picture. Will your minor (or even major) failure still be weighing you down five years from now? Chances are, you’ll have completely moved past it in six months, so stop wasting your time and energy moping around about it.
So what does this mean for us? Maybe it means realizing how often you complain about that class, or a certain person, a rule, an idea or an entire group of other human beings. Maybe it means stopping yourself and realizing you have the power to change your perspective on those issues and, in the process, make yourself happier and more productive. Maybe it means finally talking about, starting or seeking advice on a project you haven’t trusted anyone else with yet.
Whatever it means for you, try not to lose the sense of childhood wonder you have left because it’s one of your best attributes. And if you don’t like something, go out in the world and do something about it.
