What do you do when creativity refuses to cooperate? When you have the intention to create something, but that spark, that “thing” just isn’t happening?
Author Elizabeth Gilbert (“Eat, Pray, Love”) gave a speech about nurturing creativity at the 2009 TED conference. I strongly recommend it to anyone who has 19 minutes to spare: http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/453
Near the end of Ms. Gilbert’s talk she speaks to the invisible externalized part of her that provides inspiration:
“You and I both know that if this book is not brilliant, that is not entirely my fault, because you can see that I am putting everything I have into this […] so if you want it to be better, then you’re going to have to show up and do your part of the deal […] but if you don’t do that, then […] I’m going to keep writing because *that’s my job*. And I would please like the record to reflect today that *I* showed up for my part of the job.”
As I.T. professionals, we don’t always think of ourselves as particularly “creative”. But if we are honest, we know there are moments. We actually seek them out.
When I.T. pros connect with their creative selves, “just fixing it” turns into a solution which is elegant, inspired, and repeatable.