When I first had the idea to write this post, I thought there would be a lot to ponder and untangle. Instead, where I landed, is that the connection between purpose and creativity is very simple. There are two ways to look at it.
Creativity is within your purpose.
Perhaps you’re contributing your creativity to make an impact in the world. Or, you’re contributing something so that the impact is more creativity in the world. Your why statement might look like this…
I use creativity to ______ so that ______.
I ________ to add creativity to the world so that ______.
I _______ to ________ so that there’s more creativity in the world.
This is the most obvious kind of connection between purpose and creativity. Or is it?
Creativity fuels your purpose.
Most people probably aren’t so tightly weaving their purpose and creativity together. Still, is there a way to live your purpose, to make progress toward your life’s aim, without using creativity? I don’t think so.
Here are why/ purpose/ mission statements I found through a Google search. I can’t vouch for the accuracy, but they seem to hold truth. Try to imagine these people working toward their ambitions without imagination, without new ideas, without creativity.
To have fun in my journey through life and learn from my mistakes. Richard Branson
Not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style. Maya Angelou
To be a teacher. And to be known for inspiring my students to be more than they thought they could be. Oprah Winfrey
I want to serve the people. And I want every girl, every child to be educated. Malala Yousafzai
To help people find hope after loss. Gloria Horsely
To make people happy. Walt Disney
I think my somewhat obvious point is this: the world needs your creativity no matter who you are or what you do or how you want to make an impact. Creativity is what allows you to find new ways to make people smile and laugh, give them hope, help them improve, to be happy. Creativity is a superpower that you are born with. That everyone is born with. Imagine a world where more of us harnessed that superpower for good.
Let me end with this (unconfirmed) purpose statement from Ralph Waldo Emerson. It’s a bit wordier than a typical statement, as you might expect from a writer, philosopher, and poet. The beauty is in the simplicity of the words, the actions, and the defined success of living a purposeful life.
To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.
Go be creative today.
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