Creativity is phenomenon that occurs when something new, be it an image, an idea, an invention, or some combination thereof, comes into being. Whether in the field of art, science, philosophy, writing, mathematics, physics, or whatever your discipline of choice may be, the stroke of creativity bears a similar sensation. Somewhere inside, doors open, lights turn on, distractions fade into oblivion. Yes, it is intense.
Over the years, many a brilliant mind has tried to pin down, in greater detail, what exactly creativity is and how best to go about finding it. Like the most nebulous and precious of concepts, it is often easiest described by what it is not. We've gathered a selection of our favorite tips from great minds throughout a variety of fields, all helping point us in the direction of finding that creative spark.
Some offer warnings, others advice; some in jest, and others very, very seriously. We hope some of the wise words will strike a chord within you, and serve you well in your quest to become the next Picasso or Plath.
1. "The chief enemy of creativity is good sense." -Pablo Picasso, artist
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2. "The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt." -Sylvia Plath, writer, "The Journals of Sylvia Plath"
![sylvia plath]()
3. "Creativity is discontent translated into arts."-Eric Hoffer, philosopher
![eric hoffer]()
4. "Don't think. Thinking is the enemy of creativity. It's self-conscious, and anything self-conscious is lousy. You can't try to do things. You simply must do things." -Ray Bradbury, writer
![ray bradbury]()
5. "Creativity is the sudden cessation of stupidity." -Edwin Land, scientist and inventor
![edwin land]()
6. "The enemy of art is the absence of limitations.” -Orson Welles, filmmaker
![orson welles]()
7. "Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep." -Scott Adams, comic and author
![dilbert comic]()
8. "Creativity is piercing the mundane to find the marvelous." -Bill Moyers, journalist
![journalist]()
9. "Ah, good taste! What a dreadful thing! Taste is the enemy of creativeness." -Pablo Picasso, artist
![picasso]()
10. "Creativity takes courage." -Henri Matisse, artist
![matisse]()
Over the years, many a brilliant mind has tried to pin down, in greater detail, what exactly creativity is and how best to go about finding it. Like the most nebulous and precious of concepts, it is often easiest described by what it is not. We've gathered a selection of our favorite tips from great minds throughout a variety of fields, all helping point us in the direction of finding that creative spark.
Some offer warnings, others advice; some in jest, and others very, very seriously. We hope some of the wise words will strike a chord within you, and serve you well in your quest to become the next Picasso or Plath.
1. "The chief enemy of creativity is good sense." -Pablo Picasso, artist
2. "The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt." -Sylvia Plath, writer, "The Journals of Sylvia Plath"
3. "Creativity is discontent translated into arts."-Eric Hoffer, philosopher
4. "Don't think. Thinking is the enemy of creativity. It's self-conscious, and anything self-conscious is lousy. You can't try to do things. You simply must do things." -Ray Bradbury, writer
5. "Creativity is the sudden cessation of stupidity." -Edwin Land, scientist and inventor
6. "The enemy of art is the absence of limitations.” -Orson Welles, filmmaker
7. "Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep." -Scott Adams, comic and author
8. "Creativity is piercing the mundane to find the marvelous." -Bill Moyers, journalist
9. "Ah, good taste! What a dreadful thing! Taste is the enemy of creativeness." -Pablo Picasso, artist
10. "Creativity takes courage." -Henri Matisse, artist
