The Discipline of Creativity

May 6, 2009 in Life with 7 Comments

So often, I make the mistake of thinking that creativity means being completely free of boundaries:

  • Painting with any color you feel like.
  • Coloring “outside the lines.”
  • Making music that free-flows with no discernible tempo or rhythm.
  • Creatively solving problems without using any tested methods that have worked before.

There are times and places to be “boundary-free”, but I am learning that some of the most creative, brilliant inspiring work that people do is created not in spite of boundaries, but because of them.

There’s a reason why music is set to a time signature, why canvases are traditionally rectangle and yes, why even coloring books have lines to color inside of. They provide the discipline that creativity needs to flourish.

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7 Responses to “The Discipline of Creativity”

  1. brian barela May 6, 2009 at 4:26 pm #

    hey justin completely agree with the need for creative constraints. i've found that unless i start by getting as specific as possible with what i want to design, i'll end up all over the place and creating something that rarely represents my desires.

  2. Bill Bolte May 7, 2009 at 1:46 am #

    I totally agree! It's so simple and yet so profound isn't it?

  3. Brian Alexander May 7, 2009 at 2:20 am #

    So true, something that the church needs to hear every once in a while. I totally understand what you mean by this Justin, but when is it good to stay, "inside the lines" and when is it good to go outside of them? Is there a leverage that needs to be talked about here? I think it would be good to discuss.

    • Justin Wise May 7, 2009 at 2:36 pm #

      I don't know but you gave me an idea for another blog post! This could be a good series… Thanks Brian!

    • Brian Alexander May 7, 2009 at 2:58 pm #

      I don't see your reply here, but I got it in my email. Hope that you can write some good stuff about your idea.

  4. bdub May 7, 2009 at 3:58 pm #

    Lack of boundaries is by definition nihilism. Boundaries represent the best of what we already know to be true. Creativity is the challenge of false belief about those boundaries. Which implies a general understanding of and adherence to "boundaries". I've heard the word creativity misused as an excuse for laziness. Creativity, the way God meant for it to be, requires discipline.. As does anything else in life that has value. However difficult it might be for our postmodern ideology. I think you are on the cusp of something very relevant and timely for our generation. The truth is there is more liberty in discipline than constraint. Blessings to you.

    • Bill Bolte May 7, 2009 at 4:40 pm #

      "The truth is there is more liberty in discipline than constraint. " Absolutely bdub!