Creativity has always been essential for growth and evolution, both personally and socially. It lies at the heart of humanity’s greatest inventions, from the first stone axe and the wheel to the algorithms we use today, not to mention great works of art and musical compositions. Creativity has always been the spark of progress and, therefore, a highly valued skill.
However, with the advent and spread of artificial intelligence, creativity will be more important than ever because it will differentiate those who can add value in a world where many tasks will be automated. That’s why it’s so important to dispel some myths about creativity that actually only hinder it. If we believe, for example, that being creative is a gift bestowed upon a lucky few, the last thing we’ll do is strive to find innovative solutions to our problems.
The main myths about creativity that we all believe but are completely wrong
Creativity is not only important for excelling at work, but also for mental health. A study conducted at Tunku Abdul Rahman University demonstrated that being creative improves our level of well-being.
When we create, whether by writing, solving problems, designing projects, or imagining new solutions, we activate psychological processes that strengthen our sense of control, self-efficacy, and emotional expression. In other words, creating helps us feel that we are not mere spectators of our lives, but active protagonists. That’s why it’s so important to develop creativity and get rid of the myths that stifle it.
1. Only artists, writers, and musicians are creative
Fact: Artists are often identified as more creative than the rest of humanity, as are musicians or writers, but that doesn’t mean that originality is their exclusive domain.
The truth is that creativity is an essential component of many aspects of human activity, from business to engineering and even medicine. In all these areas, innovation has been necessary to keep moving forward, and creativity has played a key role. Creativity is really about solutions and connections between seemingly unrelated things. It’s about doing things better, smarter, or easier, in any sector. Therefore, no matter what field you work in, you can be creative.
2. There are two kinds of people: creative people and those who are not
Fact: Everyone is creative in their own way. We all have a machine for producing original ideas: the human brain. In fact, he said, creativity is our survival tool. If it weren’t for creativity, we wouldn’t be here as humanity. Just think of all the ways our ingenuity has expanded and enriched our lives on this planet.
Furthermore, we constantly have original ideas, even if we’re reinventing the wheel. The fact that something has been invented doesn’t mean that the idea isn’t creative. For example, every time we solve an everyday problem on our own by finding new connections, we’re being creative.
3. Creativity depends solely on the person
Fact: There is no doubt that creativity, like intelligence or tolerance for ambiguity, originates within the individual. However, the social environment, including school, home, and work, also plays a significant role in the development and expression of creativity.
Originality doesn’t exist apart from motivation. For this reason, the Renaissance was a particularly prolific era, as creative and original work was promoted and celebrated. We all experience peaks and valleys in our creative productivity, and many of these are due to the incentives or limitations we face. It’s no coincidence that research conducted at Sharif University of Technology found that working in an environment that fosters autonomy also enhances creativity. Similarly, another study carried out at Tunku Abdul Rahman University found that people who perceived greater social support generated more creative and original ideas.
4. Creativity arises only from inspiration
Fact: Inspiration can be the spark that ignites a good idea, but it’s rarely enough to develop it. True creativity doesn’t depend solely on the muses, but rather on constant processes of exploration, trial and error, and refinement.
The romanticized image of the “stroke of genius” or the Eureka effect distorts our understanding of how ideas work. In most cases, the most valuable creations are the result of many imperfect versions, hours of work, and persistence. In fact, creative people often produce a lot before putting that brilliant idea into practice. They don’t wait to feel inspired; they work, and inspiration comes along the way. In this sense, creativity is more like a muscle than a lightning bolt: it gets stronger with use. That means you don’t have to wait to feel inspired, but rather build the conditions that facilitate creative work every day.
5. Creativity is born from disorder
Fact: While some creative people work in chaotic environments, disorder is not a prerequisite for originality. In fact, many writers, scientists, and designers actually work with strict routines, defined schedules, and clear systems.
The idea of ”creative disorder” has also become popular, leading to the belief that good ideas can only flourish amidst chaos, improvisation, and a lack of structure. However, when the mind doesn’t have to expend energy managing disorder, it can allocate more resources to thinking flexibly. This organization acts as a mental framework that supports creative output. The writer and poet Maya Angelou, for example, didn’t rely on the muse but on routine. She would get up early, have breakfast, and force herself to write for many hours without distractions.
Therefore, creativity is not a gift reserved for a select few nor does it depend exclusively on being visited by the muses; rather, it is a “muscle” that is strengthened with practice, curiosity, and the courage to make mistakes.
References:
Tan, C. et. Al. (2022) Perceived Social Support Increases Creativity: Experimental Evidence. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health; 19(18): 11841.
Nili, F. & Tasavori, M. (2022) Linking an autonomy-supportive climate and employee creativity: the influence of intrinsic motivation and company support for creativity. European Business Review; 34(5): 666-688.
Tan, C. Y. et. Al. (2021) Being Creative Makes You Happier: The Positive Effect of Creativity on Subjective Well-Being. Int J Environ Res Public Health; 6(14): 7244.
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