Creativity always involves risk. At some point, you have to take the leap and trust that things will work out. Most of us aren’t naturally inclined to enjoy risk; it feels scary and unpredictable. We like to be in control, but creativity requires stepping into the unknown.
Creativity means bringing something new into the world. You might have an idea—a cake, a painting, a robot, an app—but you can’t predict the exact outcome. The cake might flop, the painting might change colors, the robot might malfunction, and the app might solve a different problem than intended. You just don’t know.
To embark on any creative act, or to encourage your children to be creative, you have to get comfortable with risk and make it a normal part of life. Some of you may remember the days before cell phones? We used to take risks regularly.
I recall planning to meet a friend in London during a study abroad program in my twenties. We had one overlapping night and planned to meet in a specific park at lunchtime. With no contact in between—no cell phones, no regular email—we still managed to meet up. It was a huge risk, but back then, we took risks like this all the time.
Today, everything is pre-planned and controlled. To spark creativity, we need to practice taking risks. Here are some simple ways to get started:
- Take a Leap: Jump off a diving board, dock, or boat into a pool, lake, or river. Feel the thrill of the jump.
- Learn a New Skill: Be a beginner at something new—try a sport or new artistic medium and embrace the learning process.
- Try New Food: Order something unfamiliar at a restaurant or try a recipe with a new fruit or vegetable
- Speak Your Mind: At your next social gathering, share your thoughts and opinions, even if it feels uncomfortable.
The more that you can practice taking these kinds of small actions that feel slightly risky, the more your nervous system will be prepared for the larger risks required to embark on the creative path.
