Creativity, Creative Thinking and Recognising the Value of Your Worst Work
Creativity is a multifaceted phenomenon characterised by the ability to perceive the world in new ways, to find hidden patterns, to make connections between seemingly unrelated phenomena, and to generate solutions. Creative thinking, a subset of creativity, involves thinking in novel ways to accomplish tasks and solve problems. It is a deliberate process that can be developed and improved over time.
Every piece of work we create, good or bad, is a stepping stone in our creative journey. Our ‘worst’ work often contains valuable lessons. When a project doesn’t turn out as planned, it offers insights into what doesn’t work, pushing us to explore new methods and ideas. This process of elimination is fundamental to creative growth.
The “creative yield” concept suggests that the more ideas we generate, the higher the chance of producing something truly innovative. Not all these ideas will be winners, but each is a necessary byproduct of the search for excellence. Our worst work may be part of the clutter, but it’s also part of the path to our best work.
We allow ourselves to experiment when we accept that only some projects will be our best. This freedom leads to a willingness to take risks and push boundaries, which is essential for creative breakthroughs. Knowing that failure is an option means that we can dare to be different.
Encountering our worst work can be a powerful motivator. It can drive us to strive for better, to refine our skills, and to overcome complacency. In this way, our least successful works can catalyse our most creative efforts.
Recognising our fallibility through our worst work keeps us humble. It reminds us that the creative process is a journey with ups and downs and that arrogance can blind us to opportunities for improvement and innovation.
Our worst work is part of our authentic creative expression. It shows that our creative outputs are not manufactured but are organic and authentic. It’s a sign that we are working through the process genuinely and with integrity.
Pushing through and producing work stretches our comfort zones even when it’s not our best. It forces us to engage with problems and materials in ways we haven’t before, which is the essence of creative thinking.
Creativity is as much about perseverance as it is about inspiration. Recognising the value of our worst work builds resilience, teaching us to bounce back from setbacks and keep creating.
Sharing our worst work can be just as important as sharing our best. It can offer others a sense of solidarity, showing that everyone has off days, which can be reassuring to those just starting their creative journeys.
Finally, understanding the value of all our work leads to a deeper appreciation for the creative process itself. It allows us to find joy and fulfilment in creating, regardless of the outcome.
Creativity and creative thinking are not just about producing the best work; they’re about the journey, the lessons learned, the risks taken, and the resilience built along the way. Our worst work isn’t just something to be discarded; it’s a vital component of our creative development, offering a treasure trove of experience from which to draw inspiration and knowledge.
Join us at ACRE28, Africa’s Premier Creativity and Creative Thinking Conference in 2024 at Klein Kariba, South Africa! https://acreconference.com
