“Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn't really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while." ~ Steve Jobs
As believed by late Sir Steve jobs creativity is just connecting things. If we are persuaded to believe the nuance it seems an uphill task to inspire the youth to be creative because connecting things requires endurance and persistence that appear to be missing in generation-Y owing to lack of wariness and lack of endurance to stay with one thing for a considerable long time. The question is how to keep them going with interest and passion. In fact the present youth does have passion but to reach to the top in a stipulated period of time may invite concomitant difficulties adversely affecting the creativity.
Creativity relates to originality in thought while connecting things happening or probable of happening. Newton could connect things and thoughts to propound new theories. Actually all the things and thoughts were there. He only connected these with his creativity. A great musician composes by connecting a chain of unseen thoughts and things which becomes original. In every walk of life there is need for creativity. ‘Lateral Thinking’ introduced by Edward de Bono advocates for such creative thinking. In working scenario creativity in Marketing, creativity in Production, creativity in handling HR, and creativity in Finance all are recognized and rewarded when it leads to prosperity. There is need for the element creativity in every walk of life which would be the golden key to success in coming decades. When the developed markets have already been stagnant and are in crisis it is now the role of the young minds to think coolly and coherently so that the market economy which is the back-bone of the modern society will match to the ever expanding horizon. The present generation is not bereft of creativity but it can only bloom when the climatic conditions are favorable. Our next generation youth have to cultivate patience, perseverance and endurance. With increasing anxiety and greediness for personal growth creativity is the first casualty. They have to realize that the concept of ‘Society’ was evolved on account of ‘We’ and not ‘I’ feeling. One may argue that without I, We cannot be possible. There is no denying. But one has to understand that the higher degree of satisfaction is available in ‘We’-thought not in ‘I’-thought. The Indian philosophy and tradition have been great with the declaration of “Vasudhaiv kutumbakam”.
The youth of today is replaced by the youth of tomorrow. The young people are the torch bearers. They always play a bigger role in all the socio-industrial activities. Their contribution in the field of progress cannot be belittled. Their creative thinking has a positive impetus on the society. This essay aims to trigger the mood for creativity in young minds. No doubt the youth of the day is bold and vibrant. But the climatic conditions are to be provided so that creativity germinates and it is nurtured well to bloom into a fulfilling entity. For this end in mind some suggestions would be graphically presented in the following diagram.
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Today’s techno savvy generation is taught from the childhood being inspired by their parents to be as per their dreams and perceptions, borrowed from media, internet and other means. The childhood of the youth is the best period to sow the seeds of convictions. This calls for the initiative of parents and teachers. They have a major role in inspiring the children to be creative. Education in India needs to rework itself as per the global scenario where more emphasis is given on experimental learning. The seed of creativity are to be nurtured in the initial years of education right from the child starts going to school. The modules of education ought to be such that the child is intensely analyzed to assess his interest mentor and monitored encouraging to follow his passion. The education system should teach students how to think not what to think.
Adults try to teach the children to fit to their moulds in stead of helping the children to grow their own ideas. The corporate world in India has its peculiar boss-oriented culture leading to a kill creativity situation. Present times have brought in a sea change. Many industries have emerged as leading corporate in India. Creativity is one of the main factors of success. In developed countries the corporates give employee the culture, time & support to think creative and innovate because innovation needs perseverance and patience. The corporate India needs to develop a culture of innovation, motivation, and most importantly a culture of forgiveness where an employee’s mistakes are forgiven with view to inspiring him to be innovative. We dream to be at par with developed countries and emulate certain practices over-looking the basic factor that encourage creativity and innovation.
In the coming days creativity will be considered as the primary implement for industrial prosperity.
