Think you’re not creative? Read this.

One of my delights and divertissements recently has been Mozart in the Jungle. It’s the story of the trials and tribulations of the fictional New York Symphony Orchestra, the tantrums, the creative differences and the funding crises that inevitably come with running a “major” international orchestra. It’s on Amazon if you want to check it out.

But the real star of the show is the music. Everything from Bach to Mozart, from Brahms to Sibelius and Mahler. And, oh joy of joy, there’s even some Olivier Messiaen in season 3. It cascades throughout the programme often as centre stage but also a central part of the plot.

It’s a celebration of creativity.

Creativity intimidates some people. I’ve lost count of the times people have told me they’re not creative. They think there’s some secret sauce to writing, drawing or painting.

It’s an idea that goes back a long way too. The Greeks and Romans thought that “genius” was a spirit that visited you and if you didn’t have it, well, that’s just tough.

But creativity isn’t about being able to paint, draw or write. They’re just the tools and can be learned.

Real creativity comes with the generation of ideas. And we all have them.

Ideas are the building blocks of creativity; without them we are nothing.

The so-called division between creatives and non-creatives is a false one. Everyone in business, whether they be self-employed or working for the Man has ideas. So it’s impossible not to be creative.

Early humans weren’t particularly well suited to survive. They couldn’t run very fast, they didn’t have fur and they couldn’t fly. Neither could they swim underwater for any length of time. So how the hell did they survive and indeed thrive over all the other animals kicking around at the time?

Because they had brains.

They solved problems creatively.

They used sticks to ward off sabre-toothed tiger sized dangers, they built shelters when they realised they didn’t have to live in caves, they made clothes and weapons and the first stone tools.

As humans, we’re hard-wired to creativity so stop it. You are creative. You have ideas.

Go away and have some.

Your business will love you for it.

Then when you have some ideas, I can help you implement them. I have just a few spots available in the next couple of weeks, get in touch.