The Creative Habit added February 21, 2011

The Creative Habit is partly biographical (featuring the work of Twyla Tharp) and partly instructional. Thirty-two useful exercises are featured, and they seem quite helpful for developing personal creativity.

The central theme of the book is that creativity is the result of diligent application. Artistic excellence is a function of good practice and preparation, not raw talent. The myth of the artistic genius is carefully destroyed in the text, as well it should be. Anything of value requires long, hard work. Malcolm Gladwell discusses the concept of needing 10,000 hours to master something in Outliers. Twyla Tharp does not present a specific amount of time, but has a firm commitment to the importance of sustained pursuit of excellence over time.

Fear is dangerous in hindering the exploration of new ideas. It is easy to follow the path of least resistance, to seek ease and security rather than accomplishment. Those who are willing to fail and learn from their mistakes are much more likely to realize progress than those who restrict themselves to things that do not stretch their limitations.

Many people think of creativity as some mysterious force that operates in complete freedom from constraints, but great artists work within well-defined boundaries. To use the metaphor described by the author, thinking outside of the box requires that a box be present in the first place. Disciplined planning empowers effective spontaneity.

Habits of preparation are critical to the effective pursuit of creative disciplines. Inspiration does not predictably strike, and waitinf ro it will surely result in much wasted time and great ineffectiveness. The encouragement to be mindful of one's work is always timely.

While I do not agree with all of the material in the book (which is only natural), I do believe that most readers would significantly benefit from it and therefore highly recommend going through it and implementing (at least some of) the exercises.