Comments on: Approaching Creativity As A Work-In-Progress

By: Cali @caligater

Cali @caligater — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:37:15 +0000

@Melissa – I’m going to steal that – “taking as many people with me as possible.” GENIUS! Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and comment.

@Jim – Thank you, sir. You are absolutely right — the “Ugh, I don’t ‘feel’ creative” days are stumbling blocks. I don’t think creativity is a luxury. It’s work. It can be GOOD work, though. Thanks for your thoughts, Jim (*ahem* one of the creative-est brains I know! ).

By: Gater Snacks | caligater

Gater Snacks | caligater — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:14:15 +0000

[...] {GUEST POST! YESSSSS!} At Denvelopers.com: “Approaching Creativity as a Work-in-Progress” [...]

By: Jim Halligan

Jim Halligan — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:10:05 +0000

Love this, Cali.

I especially agree with the risk-taking component. I think people restrict themselves in their creativity by being too comfortable. You learn a whole lot by trying new things, and eventually, it becomes easy.

The hardest thing for me to overcome are those days when I just “don’t feel creative”. I believe those are the moments when you have to smack yourself, get out and SEARCH for something to inspire you – whether that means reading, going for a walk, talking to strangers, or maybe even taking a nap.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:08:53 +0000

It’s amazing what can happen when you force yourself out of your comfort zone. The more comfortable we get in our routine, the harder it can be to do. Personally, I quite enjoy jumping off the cliff into trying something new….and taking as many people with me as possible. =)

By: Cali @caligater

Cali @caligater — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:03:22 +0000

@Mr. Pennington – I LOVE that quote. Risk-taking and doing what you’re “not entirely ready to do” can be such an innovative space–albeit an uncomfortable one. And I want to meet that coffee shop lady. She’s clearly a revolutionary.

@Ginger – Girl, I was on AOL chat rooms & AIMing and -gasp- *meeting boys from the Internet* back in the AOL days. Oy. Did I really just admit that? Glad we can commiserate on that one. You make a great point — everyone is an artist. We can be accused of being too idealistic for saying so, but I believe it. Everyone has something to offer; it’s our own responsibility to recognize what that “something” is. Thank you for your kind words, Ging.

By: Ginger Pelz

Ginger Pelz — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:29:25 +0000

Great post, Cali! I’m glad you wrote this one.

Also, I totally LOL’ed (had to use the LOL in this reference) when you wrote about the AOL cd-roms. I was such an AOL nerd in middle school, which I’m almost embarassed to admit. I guess my geekery started pretty young.

Anyway, I completely agree with your note that just sitting down and having conversations with folks can spark so many creative thoughts. I’m constantly inspired by people that I meet, and even more inspired by the thought that everyone is an artist in their own special way. It’s interesting to think about, but I really believe it.

Can’t wait to chat with you soon!

Also, thanks, Mark for having Cali as a guest poster.

By: dtpennington

dtpennington — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:04:55 +0000

Look! It’s Cali! Whaddya know.

I can relate with taking risks, especially in the writing I do. Since I work from home, I try to venture out of the house a few times a day to find my “inspiring moments.” After all, the internet doesn’t host the lady at the coffee shop who claims she ‘brought the entire gay community to Cheesman Park’ (seriously, she’s there, she’s the one riding around on a Rascal.

Relevant quote I picked up the other day: “Work with the smartest people you can find, and do things you aren’t entirely ready to do.”

Best,

DTP