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Creativity
“When your Daemon is in charge, do not try to think consciously. Drift, wait, and
obey.“ — Rudyard Kipling
In a culture obsessed with measuring talent and ability, we often overlook the
important role of inspiration. Inspiration awakens us to new possibilities by allowing
us to transcend our ordinary experiences and limitations. Inspiration propels a person
from apathy to possibility, and transforms the way we perceive our own capabilities.
Inspiration may sometimes be overlooked because of its elusive nature. Its history of
being treated as supernatural or divine hasn’t helped the situation. But as recent
research shows, inspiration can be activated, captured, and manipulated, and it has a
major effect on important life outcomes.
Inspiration was least related to variables that involve agency or the enhancement of
resources, again demonstrating the transcendent nature of inspiration. Therefore, what
makes an object inspiring is its perceived subjective intrinsic value, and not how much
it’s objectively worth or how attainable it is. Inspired people also reported higher
levels of important psychological resources, including belief in their own abilities,
self-esteem, and optimism. Mastery of work, absorption, creativity, perceived
competence, self-esteem, and optimism were all consequences of inspiration,
suggesting that inspiration facilitates these important psychological resources.
Interestingly, work mastery also came before inspiration, suggesting that inspiration is
not purely passive, but does favor the prepared mind.
Inspiration is not the same as positive affect.
Compared to the normal experiences of everyday life, inspiration involves elevated
levels of positive affect and task involvement, and lower levels of negative affect.
Inspiration is not the same state as positive affect, however. Compared to being in an
enthusiastic and excited state, people who enter an inspired state (by thinking of a
prior moment they were inspired) reported greater levels of spirituality and meaning,
and lower levels of volitional control, controllability, and self-responsibility for their
inspiration. Whereas positive affect is activated when someone is making progress
toward their immediate, conscious goals, inspiration is more related to an awakening
to something new, better, or more important: transcendence of one’s previous
concerns.
These findings show that inspiration matters a lot, which may cause someone to feel
pressure to become inspired and helpless to do so considering the evocative and
spontaneous nature of inspiration. The writer Elizabeth Gilbert rightly expresses this
concern in her inspiring TED talk. I agree with Gilbert that one should not put
pressure on oneself to become inspired. These key scientific findings suggest that
inspiration is not willed–it happens. Knowing this should free you from the pressure
to make inspiration happen.
This does not mean that inspiration is completely outside your control. Contrary to the
view of inspiration as purely mythical or divine, I think inspiration is best thought of
as a surprising interaction between your current knowledge and the information you
receive from the world. There are things you can do to increase the likelihood of
inspiration occurring. Research shows quite clearly that preparation (“work mastery”)
is a key ingredient. While inspiration is not the same as effort, effort is an essential
condition for inspiration, preparing the mind for an inspirational experience. Openness
to Experience and positive affect are also important, as having an open mind and
approach-oriented attitude will make it more likely that you will be aware of the
inspiration once it arrives. Small accomplishments are also important, as they can
boost inspiration, setting off a productive and creative cycle.
To become personally inspired, the best you can do is set up the optimal
circumstances for inspiration. As a society, the best we can do is assist in setting up
these important circumstances for everyone. An easy first step is simply recognizing
the sheer potency of inspiration, and its potential impact on everything we do.
Scott Barry Kaufman is scientific director of the Imagination Institute in the Positive Psychology Center at the
University of Pennsylvania. He is author of Ungifted: Intelligence Redefined and co-author of the upcoming
book Wired to Create: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Creative Mind (with Carolyn Gregoire). Kaufman is also
co-founder of The Creativity Post and he hosts The Psychology Podcast.
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