Flexibility in the Creative Process
Should you be following rules, what the research says & personal examples
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"The artist is not a special kind of person; rather, each person is a special kind of artist."
— Ananda Coomaraswamy
As creative individuals, it's not uncommon for us to grapple with the idea of conforming to rigid rules in the pursuit of our creative endeavours. Deep down, we understand that our most remarkable work often emerges when we least anticipate it. Yet, we frequently find ourselves attempting to fit our unique visions into predefined boxes. This can be frustrating, and we often fall prey to misconceptions such as:
We Have to Struggle: One common misconception is that creative success must be born from relentless struggle and suffering. While challenges are a part of any journey, they shouldn't be romanticised as the sole path to artistic brilliance.
We Have to Follow the Rules: Another prevalent belief is that creativity must adhere strictly to rules and guidelines. The truth is, creativity thrives when it's given room to breathe and explore new avenues.
We Must Sacrifice Commitment: There's a misconception that adopting flexible guidelines somehow equates to a lack of dedication to our craft. In reality, flexibility enhances our commitment.
I want to offer you a more nuanced version to the topics of creative success. Adopting flexible guidelines, doesn’t mean we are not committed to our craft. Quite the contrary, it is what helps us to be better at it.