Don't Just Be Creative

How often have you heard the mantra just be creative? Maybe it's from your boss, your family, or even your friends – but more often than not, this phrase has the opposite effect of what it intends to accomplish. It's the same as asking a comic to be funny. By telling you to just be creative, those who utter these five simple words may actually be derailing your creative process and stopping you from doing the work that needs to be done. Learn how to use creativity as a guiding force rather than as something to blindly latch onto in this article about don't just be creative!

7 Reasons Why Saying 'Just Be Creative' Is Bad

There are plenty of reasons why you shouldn't feel obligated to be creative—especially if it's not your thing. The pressures of society, friends, family, and other artists are enough to make anyone feel stressed out. That's why it should come as no surprise that "just be creative" is one of those things that actually works against creativity—forcing people into doing something they may not want to do or aren't ready for. In some instances, the phrase is a code for "fiddle the books" it's vague; it's not suggesting any wrongdoing, but it says you have to change the outcome. Probably with zero accountability attributed to the person doing the asking.

1) It's dismissive

We all want to create great work. But suppose we do nothing but talk about how creative we are without putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard). In that case, our creativity is only potential—not a reality. The words "just be creative" imply that being creative is easy and should just happen on its own, which can negatively affect those who struggle with creativity.

2) It's vague

It's vague. Before creating anything, we need to understand who our target audience is and what they want out of us. Otherwise, how do we know if we've succeeded? If you're trying to sell razors, don't just give people a product. Teach them how to shave using your razor so that they'll see why it is superior to others on the market.

3) It devalues what you do

It's become a cliché that in this digital space, everyone is a designer, editor, camera operator. While technology now means we can all have a go at these things. It's very different from being creative; that's a talent. Anyone who has worked with a professional will know that you can't actually just be creative.?

4) It ignores valuable feedback

If you receive less than warm praise for your creative work ending, go away and just be more creative. The person offering the feedback is really just saying, I don't have a clue either. Being a critical friend is really important, telling the creative precisely what you don't like. And constructive advice like this is an americano; I need more of a cappuccino; it is not helpful advice at all.?

5) People are conditioned into being uncreative anyway

There is a myth surrounding creativity that we're all creative beings; we just need to tap into our creativity. Observe a child making up endless stories. Creating whole societies from a few Sylvanian rabbits. Liking the box the expensive toy can in rather than the toy is classic creativity. Eventually, we are all disappointed, either by being made to learn our tables, all hold a pen the same way. (lefties being forced to write right-handed the very worst example) Or, in my case, when I built my first Space Rocket from Lego and realised that it would only fly in my imagination. People who can tap into that alternative view or use that childhood space in their heads, these are creatives. Creative leaders have to unlock that by creating no blame cultures and embracing failure.?

6) It perpetuates this myth that creative people are special

Humm, but we are!

7) Creativity is subjective anyway.

Creativity is subjective in the macro. However, creativity in commercial terms is about popularity. Did that new TV format get an audience and positive reviews? Did that new piece of public art cause a reaction? Did that essay get an A? Plenty of artists have starved on being very creative but actually unpopular. So |I don't think one can ever call creativity subjective. There are plenty of people who don't recognise creativity. But in the end, someone somewhere has to like it. Just hope it's not after you die.

How To Really Become Creative Instead

There's a very glib answer to that, Don't Try. We all know that person at school who tried so hard to be cool and simply achieved the opposite. Whereas that happy go, lucky, totally self-assured person was the coolest ever. Creativity is the same as that!