The Power of Creativity: Closing the Gap and Making What Matters

The Power of Creativity: Closing the Gap and Making What Matters

Creativity is a journey that many of us embark on with high hopes and great expectations. We are drawn to creative work because we have good taste, a discerning eye for what is beautiful and meaningful. However, there is often a frustrating gap between our taste and the quality of our own work. This gap can be disheartening, causing many beginners to quit before they reach their full potential. But as Ira Glass, creator and host of This American Life, reminds us, this phase is normal and can be overcome with perseverance and hard work.

Glass explains that in the early stages of our creative journey, our work may not meet the standards of our taste. We see the potential, but it falls short of our expectations. This disappointment can be discouraging, leading many to give up on their creative pursuits. However, Glass emphasizes the importance of pushing through this phase by doing a lot of work. He advises putting oneself on a deadline and committing to finishing one project every week. It is through this volume of work that we can bridge the gap and elevate our creations to match our ambitions.

Creativity is not a one-time event; it is a continuous process of practice and improvement. Glass highlights the need for repetition and reinvention over time. Each project is an opportunity to learn and grow, to make it better than the last. As Glass succinctly puts it, "Don't wait. Just make the thing. Make a version, and then make it better and then make it better." This mindset allows us to embrace the long arc of time and understand that creative careers and projects are not about being innately creative, but about actively creating.

In line with Glass's philosophy, I believe that anyone can make what matters. We all have the capacity to create meaningful things. The key to closing the gap between our taste and our skills lies in the volume of work we produce. Our body of work becomes the ultimate project, where each piece builds upon the last, pushing us closer to realizing our creative potential.

While the journey of creativity is deeply personal, there are practical steps we can take to foster our creative growth. One valuable habit is to create a calendar reminder at a set time each day to reflect on what made us smile. This simple act of mindfulness allows us to appreciate the beauty and joy in everyday moments, fueling our creative spirit.

Additionally, expanding our knowledge and understanding of financial literacy can have a profound impact on our creative pursuits. Taking advantage of resources like Denise Duffield-Thomas's free quiz on Sacred Money Archetypes can help us gain insights into our relationship with money and how it influences our creative endeavors. This awareness can enable us to make informed decisions and create a more sustainable foundation for our creative work.

In conclusion, the path to closing the gap between our taste and our skills requires dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to embrace the process of creativity. By committing to a volume of work, continually improving through repetition and reinvention, and nurturing our creative spirit with mindful practices, we can make what truly matters. Let us remember Ira Glass's words, "The most important thing you can do is do a lot of work." So, let us create, learn, and grow, knowing that our body of work is the true measure of our creative journey.