Creativity – a function of knowledge, curiosity, imagination, and evaluation. It means to see what others don’t see. Merely having knowledge does not guarantee the formation of new patterns. The bits and patterns must be shaken up and iterated in new ways. Then the bits must be evaluated and converted into usable ideas. This really is a process.

Creativity requires a confluence of some components which are, an intrinsically motivated person with high domain expertise, high skill in creative thinking and an environment high in support for creativity. Many managers have relied on tools and technologies developed to simulate creativity and innovation within their organizations. Creativity relevant process includes a cognitive style and personality characters that are conducive to independence, risk taking and taking new perspectives on problem and skills in generating ideas.

It actually is important for creative people to know themselves because the creative self is more complex than the non creative self. In order to be open to creativity, one must have the capacity for constructive use of solitude. One must overcome the feeling of being alone. Artists and creatives are often stereotyped as being loners and while this may not actually be the case, solitude can be the key to producing their best work. All we have to do is to give ourselves the time alone to simply allow our minds to wander.

Human beings are essentially born creative. The most creative people find ways around obstacles because they see them not just as roadblocks but also as opportunities. Creativity expands our perceptions and along with expanded perceptions come new ways of problem solving from making an exquisite meal when you don’t know how to cook, or painting an extraordinary landscape when you can’t afford a complete box of paints. Creativity makes life infinitely interesting and fulfilling. It is a way of living life that embraces originality.

The reality is that in order to survive in a fast changing world you need to be creative. If there is one thing that distinguishes highly creative people from others it is the ability to see possibilities which others generally overlook -or, in other words, vision.

Remember the words of Samuel Becket, on the secret to life – long creativity: “fail, fail again, and fail better.”