| My colleague, Dr. Sylvie Labelle ( has done some | | | | Others spoke of creativity going hand-in-hand with |
| fascinating research on how top business leaders | | | | spirituality, meditation, self relaxation. Another |
| develop their creativity. She interviewed 19 top | | | | thought that creativity was a gift, but you had to |
| Canadian business leaders, both female and male, | | | | practice it because it does not develop by itself. It |
| across the business spectrum. As a Third Ager, I | | | | takes discipline and courage as well as humility. |
| write for people like myself at suggesting midlife crisis | | | | Some spoke of the importance of confronting and |
| coping strategies. What can we Third Agers learn | | | | resolving great disappointments, of accepting |
| from her work about becoming unstuck and attaining | | | | suffering. One spoke of the ability to see things, |
| new creative levels? I would like to share some of | | | | problems, and situations differently than others. |
| her findings with you. They have made a difference | | | | Another talked of creativity as arising in the baptism |
| for me and I hope they will influence you as well. | | | | of fire, namely meeting real challenges, evaluating |
| 1. Creativity begins at home | | | | risks, and finding solutions.. |
| According to Dr. Labelle’s research, the majority | | | | For me as a Third Ager, this opens up numerous |
| of business leaders stated that personal factors | | | | possibilities for me to be creative. It could begin with |
| played a greater role in acquiring creativity than | | | | a daily practice such as journal writing. This would |
| organizational factors. Most of the executives | | | | allow me to look within myself, be more mindful and |
| asserted that creativity begins within the family and | | | | see and do things differently. |
| with schooling. | | | | 3. Creativity can be developed |
| One executive spoke of his “mother, with her | | | | Dr. Labelle found that business leaders used many |
| sayings, a nurtured childhood, a warm family | | | | different ways to develop their creativity. Here is a |
| atmosphere, the balance provided by family life, the | | | | sampling of some of the top strategies they |
| stability of good health and financial balance." | | | | mentioned in being creative. |
| Another referred to lessons he learned from his | | | | 1) Read widely. |
| family: not to accept defeat, be courageous, take | | | | 2) Take courses on creativity, intuition, |
| risks, be innovative and never get discouraged in the | | | | artistic creation. |
| face of problem. | | | | 3) Have a mentor. |
| A well-known writer on creativity, Csikszentmihalyi, | | | | 4) Just do it. |
| was one of the first to find that the development of | | | | 5) Be confident. |
| creativity begins with your personal history. Most of | | | | 6) Listen to your intuition. |
| the executives in Dr. Labelle’s study recalled at | | | | 7) Learn from failures. |
| least one family situation that stimulated their | | | | 8) Experiment. |
| creativity, interest or curiosity. It may have been a | | | | 9) Have fun. |
| positive family experience, a supportive emotional | | | | 10) Don’t be afraid of fear. |
| environment, a rich cultural heritage, exposure to | | | | 11) Be collaborative. |
| different opportunities or emphasis on lofty ambitions. | | | | 12) Know your needs. |
| For me as a Third Ager the message is to constantly | | | | 13) Observe the world. |
| remind myself of my achievements and successes | | | | 14) Make decisions quickly. |
| when I was very young. My parents valued hard | | | | 15) Encourage others to be creative. |
| work, study and achievement. These values laid the | | | | 16) Be reflective. |
| basis for my becoming a creative educational writer | | | | 17) Have an open mind. |
| and teacher. | | | | 18) Take risks. |
| 2. Creativity has many sources | | | | 19) Work hard. |
| Dr. Labelle found that business leaders relied on many | | | | 20) Build on successes. |
| different sources of creativity, usually beginning with | | | | As a Third Ager, I find much food for thought here. |
| the inner self. For some it was being able to trust | | | | I have already used some of these strategies. Here |
| one’s own intuition, knowing oneself, and being | | | | is a suggestion. Why not take on the practice of |
| self reflective. For others it was seeking one’s | | | | putting into action one strategy per week. For |
| inner resources and knowing one’s limits. | | | | example, this week read a book on creativity, such |
| Another business executive spoke of the interplay | | | | as, What a Great Idea, 2.0, by Chic Thompson or |
| between happiness and creativity, each engendering | | | | something written by Csikszentmihalyi. Try a new |
| the other. | | | | strategy each week. |