This article will share with you information on how to be creative and at the same time serve others, or solve problems. To be creative is one of the best habits or character that each one of us should be developing.
By: LOPE COLUMNA
Messianic-Kabbalist Director
COLUMNA MESSIANIC RESEARCH CENTER
INTRODUCTION
Creativity is a mental process involving the creation or discovery of new ideas and concepts, or new associations of the existing ideas and concepts, fueled by the process of either conscious or unconscious insight.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION
Creativity is typically used to refer to the act of producing new ideas, approaches or actions, while innovation is the process of both generating and applying such creative ideas in some specific context.
In the context of an organization, therefore, the term innovation is often used to refer to the entire process by which an organization generates creative new ideas and converts them into novel, useful and viable commercial products, services, and business practices, while the term creativity is reserved to apply specifically to the generation of novel ideas by individuals or groups, as a necessary step within the innovation process.
The GREAT EXAMPLE OF THE XEROX MACHINE
We are familiar with Xerox or copying machine. We can find them in offices, schools, business and industry. But do you know that Xerox machine works in the same principle as that of a lightning striking the earth? Both lightning and Xerox use the same principle of static electricity. The word Xerox or xerography is derived from the Greek language which means "dry writing."
The xerography was invented by Mr. Chester Carlson, an American physicist. In 1934, he was employed in the patents department of a New York electronics firm. He became frustrated by the difficulty in copying patents' specifications and drawings. He realized that there is a need for a fast-working copying machine. With his driving curiosity, he spent several years studying technical books from which he came with the idea of using the electrostatic method of copying which would become the foundation of the mighty Xerox.
When Mr. Carlson built the first Xerox machine in 1938, it was crude, slow and bulky. Utilizing the principle of a deadly lightning to a peaceful use such as a copying machine to serve mankind, we can imagine the problems Mr. Carlson had to faced.
ADD TO YOUR CREATIVITY, HARDWORK AND PERSISTENCE
Mr. Carlson obtained the patents on every aspect of his process. Then he sold his invention to big corporations with money, manpower and research facilities to develop it. IBM was the first to turn him down. Twenty other companies also declined. Carlson then approached the Battele Research and Development Corporation which agreed to develop the Xerox idea. Then they decided to commercialized it.
Many companies including IBM for the second time turned down the chance to manufacture the machine. Then Haloid Company, which is engaged in the copying business, was convinced and acquired the rights in xerography. Haloid Company later became the giant Xerox corporation. By the time of his death, in 1968, Carlson's royalties and shares in the company had earned him some US$50 million. The Xerox story is an example of how a creative idea plus hardwork and persistence can change the world, or bring fortune and success to a creative person.
BENEFITS OF CREATIVITY
The benefits of creativity can be reaped both in this present world and in the next World-To-Come. You may or may not amass fortune or money from your creativity. But the joy of creating or inventing something new and useful is more than enough as a reward.
Yet, ONLY A FEW ARE ABLE TO TAP THE WELLS OF CREATIVITY AND FORTUNE IN THEIR LIVES. WHY?
From billions of men and women who have walked the earth, only a few thousands have had the creative genius to conceive something new and useful.
Why? What is the reason for this fact?
Psychologists tell us that an average person uses only about 5-10% of his creative potential. Why only 10%? Because most people allow their creativity to be suppressed.
CAUSES OF SUPPRESSION of CREATIVITY
1. Too much entertainment which destroys proper concentration
2. Too much sociable life which damage proper study habits
3. Low self-esteem or inferiority complex
4. Fear of failures or of what other people might say.
FACTORS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CREATIVITY
In contrast, Creators or Inventors have the following aspects and qualities:
1. Intense persistence.
2. Optimism.
3. Originally of approach.
4. A conviction that there are more effective, better ways of doing things.
5. An independence from the outside world.
HOW ABOUT GENIUS? WHAT DO YOU MEAN, GENIUS?
Is it necessary to have a high IQ in order to be genius? Most researchers agree that the important variable in genius is not IQ but creativity. Testers call an IQ above 135 as genius. But the IQ tests only predict fairly accurately how well a person will do in school and how quickly he will master knowledge.
But genius involves more than knowledge. A genius does not necessarily have a high IQ.
In fact, most people who are considered geniuses are school dropouts. They even dislike schools. Thomas Alva Edison, the most prolific American inventor, only had about 3 months of formal schooling. Albert Einstein, about 6 months. Stephen Jobs, the founder of the very creative Apple Computer Company, was also a dropout from school.
A great artist, such as a great painter or a sculptor does not require a high IQ for his masterpieces -- works of a genius. Creativity is related to talents and/or craftsmanship, not to IQ.
GENIUS CONSISTS IN SEEING WHAT EVERYONE HAS NOT SEEN AND THINKING WHAT NO ONE HAS THOUGHT
As a Nobel prize winner said, "Genius consists in seeing what everyone has seen and thinking what no one has thought." You can have that kind of quality and perception if you follow the tips explained in the following article. If others can, you can.
How then can we be more creative?
Continued on Part 2: FOUR TIPS TO DEVELOP AND BENEFIT FROM YOUR GOD-GIVEN CREATIVITY
How then can we be more creative?
Continued on Part 2: FOUR TIPS TO DEVELOP AND BENEFIT FROM YOUR GOD-GIVEN CREATIVITY
Copyright 2009, 2016 © Lope Columna
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