Forcing Inspiration
Most people, when they have to complete a creative endeavour, often tend to wait for inspiration. It is not unusual to find, therefore, that most people take inordinately long to complete projects or never finish them at all. Look at the infinite number of people with half-finished first-drafts under their bed. This reveals a lack of understanding of how the mind and creativity work, for the best way to find a bucket-load of inspiration is to force it out.
1) Engaging in the Task.
Simply engaging in the task generates ideas. By defining the work process, people can frame the mind for the coming task and keep work flowing.
2) Absorption in the project.
Absorption in a project creates inspiration for other, similar projects. Screenwriters know that they will come up with lots of good ideas for other screenplays while they are working on the present one.
3) Blocks.
One reason for a lack of inspiration is that the creator suffers from any of the many forms of evaluation apprehension. By forcing engagement in and completing the project, that creator can leapfrog blocks, which progressively decline with further projects. Confidence comes from having undergone a set of positive successful experiences.
4) Competencies.
Another reason for not embarking on projects is the lack of developed competencies. Competencies build up gradually over a set of positive experiences:
i) The experience curve shows us that in the early stages, relative lack of experience, knowledge and refined methodology limits performance to sub-optimal levels. With time these factors improve and productivity increases exponentially.
ii) Subliminal and subconscious learning ? when we are motivated by an endeavour we will become good at it by working at it on various cognitive levels.
iii) Subliminal and subconscious perception ? many skills and actions are initially learnt with much conscious effort, then, with practice, they come easily and smoothly. After complete automisation, paying attention may actually be detrimental.
The above concepts are encapsulated in common expressions such as, "you have to write a million words before you write anything good." Knowledgeable screenwriters know that it was really only after a certain number of completed screenplays that they really began to get good.
5) Process.
One of the most sustained myths about creativity is that it is not a process. In fact, inspiration and insight results from a definite process which includes:
i) Dividing the problem into sets of smaller problems.
ii) Intensely investigating problems.
iii) Forcing the production of ideas using creative versus critical thinking.
iv) Seeking stimuli.
v) Applying constant conscious thought.
vi) Engaging in rest and unrelated activities.
vii) Allowing incubation
6) Forcing prolific activity.
Forcing engagement in an endeavour triggers prolific activity ? and it can be concluded with a high degree of certainty that quality of output is closely related to sheer quantity. The single best creative product tends to appear at that point in the career when the creator is being most prolific.
In conclusion, inspiration is best attained by forcefully and consciously engaging in a project. Experienced hands will tell you, just do it!
************************************
These and other topics are covered in depth in the MBA dissertation on Managing Creativity & Innovation, which can be purchased at http://www.managing-creativity.com
************* ***********************
You are free to reproduce this article as long as the author's name, web address and link to MBA dissertation is retained.
Kal Bishop MBA
Kal is a management consultant based in London, UK. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller.
 Google News Updated : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 14:08:18 GMT Health Buzz: Immunosuppressive Drug Warning and Other Health News - U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report - The Food and Drug Administration has asked the manufacturers of Humira, Cimzia, Enbrel, and Remicade—which belong to a class of medications known as tumor necrosis factor alpha blockers (TNF-alpha blockers)—to strengthen the warning for risk of fungal ... FDA urges more caution over TNF blocker infections Arthritis Drugs Linked to Risks From Infection Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:23:08 GMT Suicide blast kills 35 in Pakistan; Zardari set to take power - International Herald Tribune
International Herald Tribune - AP, The New York Times PESHAWAR, Pakistan: The death toll in a devastating suicide blast has reached 35, officials said Sunday, as Pakistan prepared for Benazir Bhutto's widower to take over as president. Pakistan's Zardari urged to change image and focus Pakistan's Zardari prepares for presidency Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:14:31 GMT Malkovich gets mad in Coens' 'Burn After Reading' - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - TORONTO (AP) - The Coen brothers' new movie gave John Malkovich a chance to blow off some steam. Malkovich's seething character in "Burn After Reading" bursts out in perpetual tantrums, a nice exercise in anger management, according to the actor. Toronto Film Festival vs. Brangelina – Who Gets the Spotlight? Pitt Rocks to Madonna Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:31:53 GMT Federer is set for his fifth consecutive US Open final (Keystone) - Swissinfo
Swissinfo - Switzerland's Roger Federer has won his semifinal at Flushing Meadows against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in four sets, 6-3, 5-7, 7-5, 6-2. Video: Federer Beats Djokovic to Reach US Open Final Federer Reaches Final Before Rain Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:38:36 GMT Fannie, Freddie Capital Concerns Prompt Paulson Plan (Update1) - Bloomberg
Bloomberg - By Dawn Kopecki and Alison Vekshin Sept. 7 (Bloomberg) -- Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson decided to take control of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac after a review found the beleaguered mortgage-finance companies used accounting methods that inflated their ... Video: Obama Calls for Changes in Mortgage Giants RPT-US Treasury sets news conference;GSE plan expected Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 12:59:54 GMT Michigan spared sting of West Nile - Detroit Free Press Detroit Free Press - BY SHERI McWHIRTER • RECORD-EAGLE • September 7, 2008 TRAVERSE CITY -- West Nile virus hasn't seriously bitten Michigan this year and seems to have spared the state's northern reaches. Yes, the mosquitoes were nasty this summer Aerial survey being conducted to find mosquito breeding grounds Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 07:53:44 GMT Reuters Entertainment Summary - Washington Post Washington Post - VENICE (Reuters) - Eleven days of red carpet galas, 21 films in competition and countless interviews, photo calls and parties at the Venice film festival boiled down to just one man in the end -- Mickey Rourke. Aronofsky Gracefully Wrestles Golden Lion Out Of Venice Buyers mixed on Toronto films Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 10:41:41 GMT Web Site Traffic |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... I believe it's important for you to develop a mission... Read More When was the last time you felt you were enough... Read More Poverty can sometimes only be a state of mind, based... Read More Why do so many of us end up frustrated when... Read More Here's the great challenge of life - You can have... Read More Researchers are seeking to identify how dolphins communicate. Unfortunately it... Read More "It`s life Jim but not as we know it." -SpockIn... Read More The true test in life does not occur when all... Read More Imagine sitting down in a relaxed setting -- a setting... Read More Who is Wallace Wattles? Wallace D. Wattles died over 90... Read More I am an Angel artist on a passionate spiritual journey... Read More I am just out of high school, and I have... Read More Emotions are the most powerful forces inside us. Under the... Read More Riding a rush, being juiced, flying high-this is the feeling... Read More It is hard to capture the synchronicity of this next... Read More The first thing that an aspiring leader must realize is... Read More Can we love our bodies? As the years go by,... Read More Do you have a goal? A focus in life? Have... Read More "Yeah, though I walk through the valley of the shadow... Read More Thanks to Walt Disney's "The Lion King", children the world... Read More Some people live in and talk about the past so... Read More I'm writing to you with a completely shattered heart. I've... Read More All of us recall special teachers - people who not... Read More Is a grudge-laden heart sabotaging your success in business and... Read More Something happened to me some years back that is worthy... Read More
Adsense
websites
My Journey
Anamcara - Being Forever Enough
Eradicating The Heart of Poverty
The Secret Of Lasting Personal Change
The Great Challenge of Life
Dolphin Figurines evoke images of wild dolphins: How Do Dolphins Communicate?
Go Where No Man Or Woman Has Gone Before
All Is Going Well?
Go Ahead... Journal! (Taking Time To Record My Souls Journey With God)
Who Is Wallace Wattles and Why Is He One of My Mentors and Heroes?
What an Artist Experiences When Working With the Angels
Breaking Bonds
The Four Emotions that Can Lead to Life Change
A Rush Home to Rapture
Synchronicity
The Inspiration Factor
Body Acceptance: The Secret to Weight Loss Success
A Prison Cell?
Fear No Evil - How To Avoid Worry And Fear
No Problem!
Inspirations: Some Other Things Ive Noticed Along the Way So Far
Happy Ending
Inspiring Values of Unforgettable Teachers
What Forgiveness Is Not
The HUGE Deposit of Diamond in You
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Dreams Keep Us Going
The eyes are the portals of the inner self; the... Read More
Lesson Learned
Direct Answers - Column for the week of December 9,... Read More
A Prison Cell?
Do you have a goal? A focus in life? Have... Read More
A Word Fitly Spoken ~ Believe
A Word Fitly SpokenA word fitly spoken is like apples... Read More
Ctrl-Alt-Delete Your Life
Ah, the good old "Vulcan nerve pinch", the three-fingered salute,... Read More
In Tall Grass
My best friend, Ryan, told me last night he got... Read More
Crossing The Line Of Fear
Oh, this is a great topic! I remember when I... Read More
Remember The Titans --Let Them Never Forget...
In the popular movie, "Remember the Titans" most of us... Read More
Fear No Evil - How To Avoid Worry And Fear
"Yeah, though I walk through the valley of the shadow... Read More
How To Walk On The Path Of Peace (Part 2)
If you are praying daily for wisdom, for peace, a... Read More
Once in a Lifetime
A subscriber recently wrote to me and asked me to... Read More
You Are a Beautiful Person
I wish that I could tell every person that I... Read More
Joy in Perseverance
I will persist until I succeed. Always will I take... Read More
Triumphing Over Tough Times
Right now many people are facing tough times. Life as... Read More
Are You Taking Responsibility?
It is time to take responsibility for our actions and... Read More
How to Pray on Water! Announcing Life-Changing Bible Code - Discover Amazing Water Scriptures!
Water is the source of life, yet so few of... Read More
Believe In Yourself
Diana is a wonderful person with a great personality and... Read More
Create Your Own Self Esteem - Part 1
Self-esteem is something that we all wish we had more... Read More
War, Disasters and All is Well
It is not very often that I have an issue... Read More
Re-Developing Your Vision
One of the most important things we can do for... Read More
Go On ! Give your Enemy a Hug
Another preposterous idea from yours truly, even the thought makes... Read More
FEAR Don?t Let it Control You!
Fear. What is it? Can you touch it? Can you... Read More
Self Talk: What Do You Say When You Talk to Yourself?
You have just completed a major work project before the... Read More
The Meaning of Life - Not Just Another Dust in the Wind Theory
I grew up in the south in the 1960's. Married... Read More
Product Testing
Direct Answers - Column for the week of June 24,... Read More
Inspirational |