John Cleese is a writer, comedic genius, and co-creator of Monty Python (the comedy troupe).
Creativity, he says, is elusive because it comes from the unconscious mind. While the conscious mind will “prime the pump” as you contemplate a problem, it is the unconscious mind that comes up with creative solutions. Creativity is not a talent that only some people have, but a way of operating.
Are you in the right brain?
The left side of the brain is more rational and logical. The right side of the brain is more intuitive and creative.
Here is a summary of some of his tips on accessing creativity. The obvious is often the most profound.
- Sleep on it. Let your unconscious mind work on the problem overnight. Or just allow it to percolate in your unconscious mind while you do other things before returning to it.
- Create boundaries of space and time for your creativity. Interruptions can kill the creative flow.
- Playfulness. Child-like play touches the unconscious mind more easily and allows creative ideas to flow.
- The unconscious mind “thinks” in images and can leave you feeling “confused” because you don’t know where it is going. Tolerate the confusion, give the unconscious time to solve the problem and dissipate the “confusion” before the conscious mind comes in to organize and clean up.
For more on creativity by John Cleese, watch the video below and visit online.
Watch John Cleese on Creativity
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