Spontaneous Creativity

"I don't outline at all; I don't find it useful,
and I don't like the way it boxes me in.
I like the element of surprise and spontaneity,
of letting the story find its own way."
- Khaled Hosseini

I've discussed, recently, the place planning and organization has in my business and life. But it's place is purposeful and, though it aids me in allowing me time and energy to be creative, it has no place in my creative process itself. That, my friends, I reserve for spontaneity.

I'm often asked if I plan my designs. Rarely. Because when I do, they lose a little life. Their energy becomes muted by a pre-determined design that is, inevitably, filled with pitfalls and potential disappointment.

I love the concept of creative spontaneity, of allowing the process to happen in whatever carnation that is. To reserve our judgment of that process and its result and to embrace the outcome. Whether pleased or disappointed in the final creation, the process... the journey of spontaneous creation... is its own satisfying freedom.

So I challenge you thusly (I used the word "thusly", so this is important):

Stop whatever you are doing. I mean it, stop reading this (well, after this paragraph) and spend 5 minutes doing something creative. Anything at all. Sing at the top of your lungs... make up the lyrics as you go. Write a short poem. Draw a silly sketch of your pet. Take one piece of wire and bend it into as many recognizable shapes as possible. Time yourself, but set the timer and then ignore it. And at the end of that time, see what you have, record the exhilaration of exploration without the pressure of expectation.

I took this photo and wrote this small verse in five minutes.

What did you create spontaneously?