I am writing this blog post on May 30, a date I just found out this morning is designated as National Creativity Day. I hope everyone is having a creative day, but more importantly I hope you understand the role creativity plays in everyone’s life. It matters not if you are an artist, a plumber, a chef, or an accountant. Creativity is a large component of whatever you do, so let’s make every day Creativity Day. 

The Oxford Dictionary defines creativity – a noun – as “the use of the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work.”¹ That’s simple and straightforward enough. Psychology Today explains it like this: “Creativity encompasses and ability to discover new and original ideas, connections, and solutions to problems. It’s a part of our drive as humans – fostering resilience, sparking joy, and providing opportunities for self-actualization.”²

Creativity and self-actualization go hand in hand. Psychologist Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) defined self-actualization as creating and becoming the best version of yourself. “This tendency,” Maslow said, “might be phrased as the desire to become more and more what one is, to become everything that one is capable of becoming.”³

National Creativity Day was founded by Hal Croasmun and Screenwriting U, a provider of online screenwriting classes, to “celebrate the imaginative spirits everywhere and to encourage them to keep creating.”⁴

You can celebrate your creativity year-round by thinking about the things that inspire and motivate you. Then, use your imagination and creativity to do these things in new and innovative ways. You must also celebrate the creativity of other people and support them in their creative endeavors. Set the stage for your day by meditating, going for a walk, reading, listening to music, or appreciating the works of your favorite artists. This gets you in the right frame of mind to use your imagination as you plant your garden, landscape, detail your vehicle, decorate your home, work at your job, be a good parent/partner/friend, and enjoy your hobbies and leisure time. 

Part of my morning routine prior to sitting down to write is to complete a crossword puzzle and daily Duolingo™ French lesson. Both exercises get me thinking about words and are a great warm up before hitting the keyboard. Think about things you can do to jumpstart your day and creativity.

Encourage your family, friends, colleagues, and others to focus on their creativity, too.

REMEMBER…

◊ Abraham Maslow is well known for developing the hierarchy of human needs, five basic needs from lowest to highest. They are: 1. Psychological needs – the basics needed to live, for example, water, food, shelter, warmth, and sleep/rest. 2. Safety needs – so you feel secure and safe and are not afraid. 3. Love and Belonging needs – belonging socially, developing and maintaining relationships with family, friends, and associates, being part of groups. 4. Esteem needs – being recognized and respected by other people for your abilities and achievements. And 5. Self-actualization needs – the need to pursue and attain your individual potential. Maslow said it was acceptable to pursue all five needs at the same time. It is not necessary to complete need number one before moving to the subsequent needs.

◊ There are ways based on neuroscience principles to enhance your creativity. An article, “Train Your Brain to Be More Creative,” by Bas Korten and published in Harvard Business Review (June 17, 2021) is well worth your reading time.

◊ Visit www.davidajolley.com for additional blog posts, other interesting content, and updates on future book releases.

1.  The Oxford English Dictionary, www.oed.com. ↩︎
2. Psychology Today, “Creativity,” https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/creativity. ↩︎
3. Vinney, Cynthia, Thought Company, “Understanding Maslow’s Theory of Self-Actualization,” Updated on September 19, 2024, https://www.thoughtco.com/maslow-theory-self-actualization-4169662. ↩︎
4.  National Day Calendar, “National Creativity Day,” https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-creativity-day-may-30. ↩︎