By: Tina Baiter
One of my greatest strengths is my creativity. When a problem comes up, an ad needs to be created, or an event needs to be planned, people turn to me for advice. It really is a great gift.
One of my greatest weaknesses is my creativity. Whenever a problem comes up, an idea comes into my head, or an event needs to be planned, I over analyze things. It really is a curse.
I never realized that my greatest strength was also my greatest weakness, until I reread one of my favorite books, The Noticer, by Andy Andrews. Each time I read that book, I take away something new. I have learned over the years that the lessons you take away from events and books change as your life changes.
In The Noticer I read these words:
“That’s why smart people get tripped up with worry and fear. Worry…fear…is just a misuse of the creative imagination that has been placed in each of us. Because we are smart and creative, we imagine all the things that could happen, that might happen, that will happen if this or that happens.”
To a degree, imagining every little thing that could, might and will happen if this or that happens can be a good thing. In my job as a marketer and event planner, I have to have plans in place for the different ways people may react to something. When I plan an outdoor event, I have to know what to do if the weather is rainy, hot, or unseasonably cold the day of the event.
It is often a joke among my colleagues that I plan for the most “far-fetched” ideas. As a matter of fact, on numerous occasions recently co-workers have tried to explain my thoughts to others by starting their statements like this, “What Tina really means is in the most unlikely situation in the world. . .”.
And they are right. While it is good to imagine all the things that could happen, sometimes we let our imaginations run too wild. Sometimes we get so caught up in the “what ifs” that we start to fear the reality of what is.
If you, like me, are an overly creative person, recognize your creativity is a double-edged sword. Do not ever let it go. Creativity will allow you to dream, and you should always dream. But do not fall victim to the creativity curse. Do not allow your creativity to create fear and hinder you from moving forward. You have too many talents to share with the world. Let go of your fear, and use your creativity to focus on the “what ifs” that are positive in your future.
[Ed. Note: You can own a copy of Andy Andrew’s book The Noticer. Click here to purchase it.]
