How to Organize Creativity
If we look at the way a creative project is realized, the following graphic might illustrate this process:
After an occupation with the subject and time for incubation ideas are generated: they “simply come” or can be stimulated with techniques (see chapter 3). An idea must be captured immediately (chapter 4), otherwise it is likely to get lost or not remembered later. The captured ideas should be transfered to an idea collection (chapter 5) to remember them, find them again, stimulate new ideas and restructure the ideas to a working order. The idea collection ripens until enough ideas are available for a concrete project. Once there are enough ideas the idea can be realized (chapter 6) which will take a lot of refinement (and work and time) and generates new ideas. Finally projects can (and should be) archived (chapter 7).
Often done without planning for it
This model does not mean that creativity does not work without conscious planning: Often this process is done in the mind of the creative individual or with ill-structured notes. However, organization can help to make this process more efficient, to prevent loss of ideas, to make the collected ideas more accessible and the whole creative work more fun (or at least prevent the agony of trying to find something that you know exists … somewhere).
Non-Linear model
The arrows leading back to the generating level show that this model is not linear. Generating (having time to be creative, letting ones mind flow), capturing (seeing it written/sketched), collecting (making links to other, existing ideas by putting it in a certain place) and realizing (seeing what is missing, working en detail with the ideas, seeing the big picture) ideas all stimulate the generation of new ideas. Sometimes unfortunately, because a new idea can force you to change what you have done so far (e.g. changing the setting from wild-west to sci-fi or changing a theory while already collecting data). However, it is rare that people finish a project and afterwards would not do the same project differently if they would (have to) do it again.
Overview about the process
The book will follow the steps of a creative project from generating ideas, to capturing, collecting and finally realizing and archiving them.
It starts with a Project
This book treats creativity as realizing creative projects. It is not enough to have an idea, e.g. about a nice plot or an nice experiment. It must be embedded in a book or research project. It must be rooted on firm ground on the one hand (e.g. be original and useful) and realized on the other hand (e.g. not just be something “that you will do one day”). If you have an idea you really like, make a project out of it. Try to realize it. Collect other ideas for this project (e.g. other ideas for your book or measures for your experiment), invest time and effort to realize it. This century celebrates the cult of the amateur. The technology is there, you can now produce books on demand for reasonable prices. You can raise and answer a lot of research question — the scientific knowledge and equipment is available for nearly everyone (unless you are a high energy physicists). It is a golden time to follow your interests — make a creative project.
Do not over-organize
With all organization there is the inherent risk that the organization becomes a goal in itself. It is often easier to plan reading than to actually read, or to plan the realization than to actually work on it. While having ideas is fun and exiting, you need time to actually do something with them. If you run from conference to conference to discuss and develop exciting research projects you end up with nothing but hot air, if you do not take your time and miss some conferences to actually do the research. While contact with other artist is very stimulating you also need time to develop your style and hone your skills to actually develop your own art. While jotting down ideas, you should also find the time to implement them.
Make sure that organization is always a means to an end. It should bring you closer to your goal, i.e. realizing your creative projects.
Advice on using this book
Read it, skim it, get a feeling for it. But do not go for the overkill and try everything that is mentioned here. In working creatively, it is important that you find your way of organizing your creativity. There is no single best way, no single best method. It all depends on you, in which area you are creative, who the audience is and the current situation you are in.
Do what you have to do to provide the infrastructure you need, than stop working on it and actually use it to work (you can always do little improvements later).
How to not use this book
Do not try to use everything
Everything you read will be useful for someone but not for everyone. Organizing Creativity is a matter of finding the things that fit you, not trying to fit everything to your purposes. You should think “what do I need and what will help me to do it” and not “that’s interesting, can I use it”. It should be pull, not push.
Use it to achieve your goals, not as a movement
Some books or systems like GTD or 43 folders are received so favorably, they have initiated a movement. I do not hope that this book will do equally ‘well’, but if it does, do not participate in this movement for the movements sake. Movements often become so powerful that people focus solely on the process instead of what the process can do for you, the results it should bring for you. The continuous improvement of the work organization become the focus of attention, because this is easier to do than doing the actual work well.
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Creativity without Organization? | Starting to Organize Creativity
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