First Immersion then Creation


There certainly is nothing wrong with the ‘blank slate’ style of creativity – that kind of creative endeavour that is often displayed by beginners or novices in any given field. However, true creative genius is more usually a product of someone who has attained ‘eminence’ or ‘expertise’ in their given field. More often than not, creative genius follows an incubation period – a period of time in which the fundamental rules, principles and techniques of a skill-set become fully internalised. Here is where the oft-cited 10-year-rule comes into effect. Ten years in a given field can give rise to a profound level of ownership of the tenets and principles in that field – hopefully, creating a fertile bed from which novel and breakthrough ideas can emerge.
Total immersion in our chosen field can give rise to a level of ownership that in turn may ultimately give rise to true creative genius. Immersion first – then creativity.
JBW
Email Post

Comments

Anonymous said…
I really enjoy your blogs John. I tend to agree on this one, although I find that sometimes, beginners to a subject, or anyone from a semi-related field, who has a high preference for influence and a nose for efficiency can often come up with lots of very creative ideas and new ways of doing things. Although most of their ideas will unpolished or misguided. And need heavy critiquing before any implementation takes place. An experienced operator will generally have fewer creative ideas (because they stop questioning why they do things) but the few ideas he/she does have -will be often very workable, and less divergent from the current method of operation.
7:28 pm
Post a Comment

Popular Posts