Comments on: The Benefits And Drawbacks Of An Over Active Creative Mind

By: Jim

Jim — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:01:31 +0000

One of the most important things I’ve learned as a writer is how to filter ideas and flow them into workable slots. If I didn’t learn this, I’d never be good enough to be paid for what I do.

However, knowing how to do this isn’t very creative. But I believe none of us are really very creative. If creativity means conjuring something *completely* original, then no human is capable of true creativity. The best we can do is think along reference points from our own experiences and the experiences of others and then tweak these ideas so that they have new application. I know this isn’t the forum to have this particular debate, but whenever I see people celebrating their ‘creativity’ I feel compelled to remind them that we’re not nearly as ‘creative’ as we like to think we are. No one is capable of true creativity, but rather – creative tactics to existing ideas.

By: Jessica Sellers

Jessica Sellers — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:09:33 +0000

Ahh thank you for this post! I feel so validated! I have to agree, that writing things down helps immensely, and is a habit I promise to get back into!

By: Maksim Shaihalov

Maksim Shaihalov — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 15:34:08 +0000

Nice post! Thanks

By: Sam Sweeney

Sam Sweeney — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:55:45 +0000

I would have never thought that being creative would have negative effects. But now that you say it, it makes a whole lot of sense. While I love being creative, I definitely agree that it can make you over worked and just generally a very busy person. That being said, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

By: nejaneja

nejaneja — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 10:47:33 +0000

I didn’t know I have such a creative mind then I realized I have all of those symptoms, even the drawbacks. This is like a story of my life. Haha~
Every thought I have, I jotted them down on my notebook and they stayed there, I tried making things and theyre never finished.. I just think theyre too ambitious plans but they are possible- I think.
Maybe because I also have huge symptoms of being stubborn, lazy and a lot of procrastination. I need a cure. :)

By: Matty Bruning

Matty Bruning — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 10:15:09 +0000

The thing I struggle with the most as a by-product of an over-active creative brain is not being able to shut it off when I need to. I have trouble focusing on a single thing at times because I’m in constant brainstorming mode. I also have insomnia which is a direct result of not being able to turn my creativity off.

Like they say though, you take the good with the bad.

By: Martin Hathaway

Martin Hathaway — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 20:12:18 +0000

As a result of all the ideas rattling round in my head, I live with a contanst nagging feeling that I have forgotten something.

By: Nicole Foster

Nicole Foster — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:52:29 +0000

“You start a lot of projects and don’t finish many of them” is very very true in my case.

I know I’m not overly creative, but when I get hit with many ideas, I often leave those projects after an hour or so. Most of my projects go unfinished and I never pick them up again.

By: Marianna

Marianna — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:34:19 +0000

GEEZ!!! I hate getting constant ideas that mostly override the previous ones! It’s so annoying because I can’t get anything done! It’s really unproductive… it sounds like ADD even. LOL!

I find those pocket sized Moleskine notebook too tiny to write all the ideas that come into my head to be honest – sometimes I feel like a need a giant canvas.

Again, as you said it’s a gift.. and a curse at the same time. It has to do with focus and determination to finish a project before taking on another one. But those things are boring :)

By: Niki

Niki — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:24:34 +0000

Oddly enough, I decided just this month that I need to make a serious effort to finish things that I start. After all, a bunch of half-finished projects don’t make a very good portfolio! I like the book idea. I’m going to start doing that!