We are wired, as humans, to default to a state of fear.
It’s in our brains, our cells, our very soul. It’s been imprinted there by millions of years of survival. Food, shelter, reproduction. Our fear responses, even to minor things, kick in with a speed and urgency that is hard to comprehend let alone manage.
I feel some level of fear, every day of my life. Most of us do whether we admit it or not. Like a myopic tyrant, fear holds tremendous and indiscriminate power over us. And sadly, it can stand in the way of living and acting creativity.
And it’s critical that we’re creative. Not because we’re all artists. Because creativity is how we thrive as humans in this world.
Being creative is what has allowed us to adapt our environment and create cultures and civilizations.
Being creative is how we express identity and create social ties.
Being creative is how we find meaning and make sense of the world around us.
Creativity requires certain conditions. Psychological safety. A good environment. Curiosity. Fear is toxic to every one of those conditions. It is a poison that kills ideas and invention before they have a chance of being.
Recognizing fear as the greatest threat to creativity is a step towards managing its effects. Which is why I’m working on understanding the systems and processes that help me, and others, work and act with creativity.
Because this world is too interesting and the challenges we face are too big to face fear with anything less than magnificent creativity.
