How is it that some people adapt to change so easily? Why is it that some people manage to overcome road blocks, bad luck and adversity where others fall by the wayside?
Why do some businesses succeed and others fail even though they both have access to the same resources and markets? How did Apple come out of nowhere and become the iconic and gazillion-dollar empire it is today?
I’ll tell you why, in a minute. But first, here’s one more question, just for you…
Are you creative?
If you answered ‘yes’, then congratulations, you can stop reading now, this article isn’t for you. Seriously, go play amongst the other Profitalist articles that ARE for you because right now I’ve got some business with that other lot over there. Yes you see them, in their tight-necked suits and Country Road beige, they need some serious help.
OK, are those kooky creatives gone? Great.
The reason I’m talking to you ‘non-creatives’ is because you answered ‘no’ to my question. Did you feel a little bit embarrassed to say you weren’t creative? Do you wish you were able to cross that left/right brain divide?* Well, I’ve got some good news for you.
If you think you’re not creative you’re kidding yourself.
Saying you’re not creative is complete and utter bollocks. I don’t need to meet you, I already know you’re amazingly creative.
The problem is you just don’t know it yet.
I’m not sure who did the damage to you when you were young, who made you feel your creative endeavours weren’t good enough, but it’s a lie. A lie that’s going to sap your passion and keep you living small.
Refusing your creative side will keep you small, inflexible and ultimately…. unprofitable!
Now I bet you’re wondering how I can know you’re creative. Since you’re skewed on the hardside of logic right now, I’ll answer you with science, anthropology to be exact.
First, can we agree that you’re alive today because your ancestors survived, thrived and did the wild thing with Mr or Mrs Caveman, right?
Logically, you are not alive just by chance. You are alive as a result of a very long line of humans who made the right choices that led to their survival.
But success is not just about having a superior IQ. Don’t forget our ancestors weren’t the only smart group of evolved monkeys around. Neanderthals had a similar brain size to us, they also used sophisticated tools, and what’s more they were stronger than us and already well-adapted to life in prehistoric Europe.
What did we have? We were just a bunch of skinny newcomers from the back of Africa.
So how does a group of early humans from the African plains migrate to Ice Age Europe and out-survive the hardier Neanderthals? How could we have become the dominant humanoid species on the planet?
Creativity is the ultimate evolutionary advantage.
It’s an advantage our ancestors had in spades (or clubs). They had the imagination to put two and two together and come up with three. They took more calculated risks, they could see opportunity. And isn’t that exactly what successful entrepreneurship is all about?
Our cave-dwelling ancestors were the original entrepreneurs.
Our ancestors thought outside the box, hell, they INVENTED the box. They weren’t limited by what had gone before, they were prepared to look at the world with fresh eyes, to imagine and to experiment. They travelled further, they explored more, they learnt from and collaborated with other neighbouring tribes for mutual gain.
Your forefathers (and foremothers) out-hunted and out-bred and out-imagined all those other competing hominoids that were around some 30 thousand years ago.
So congratulations! You’re at the top of the food chain. You’re the dominant species on the planet. You are a member of a very elite group of life forms called ‘Homo Sapien Sapiens’, and THAT is why I know you are a creative person.
You don’t get a choice about whether you are creative or not, it’s part of your DNA.
So that is why I know if life gives you lemons you can make lemonade. That is why I know if you’re stuck in debt right now, you can create a way out of it. That is why I know your business will never have to fall behind in the innovation wars. You have everything you need to be just as creative and successful as that kooky lot of skinny jean wearing, soy-latte-swilling creatives.
You just have to believe it. You just have to unlock it. The question is… are you ready?
P.S. If, after reading this article, I ever hear you say ‘I’m not that creative’, please send me your address so I can pop over there and give you a big slap to that dunderhead of yours. You can do this creativity thing, seriously!