258: The Creativity Episode - Paving our own path to creative expression, with Dr Marion Piper
- S7E258
- 48:50
- April 5th 2023
When we think of creativity, what springs to mind?
An artist painting their masterpiece in an attic? The writer beavering away on a novel, or a Hollywood film director in charge on the set?
Maybe someone who works as a 'Creative' in an ad agency? A copywriter ... a graphic designer ... or anyone else who works in a so-called creative industry.
Well, that would be a simplistic, one-dimensional view of creativity, but it's a common one, reinforced time and time again by the media.
I've worked alongside countless people over the journey who would consider themselves creative, but I didn't find them that inspiring, or indeed, that creative!
Conversely, some of the most creative people I've met have been entrepreneurs and business professionals who are naturally curious and who always seem to have a wellspring of interesting thoughts and ideas at the ready.
So in other words, you don't have to be working in a creative industry, to be a creative person!
Indeed, to be effective in business today, especially when it comes to PR and marketing, and building our profile and growing sphere of influence in the marketplace -- having a creative edge might just be the advantage you need to cut through with your content, your story and your message ... your brand!
Okay, so what is creativity then?
Creativity is defined as "the use of imagination or original ideas to create something"
What does it mean to be creative, and how can we increase our levels of creativity?
Is being creative something we're born with, or can it be learned, if not developed over time?
To help us come to grips with how we can be more creative in our lives, I'm joined by Dr Marion Piper - founder of Marion Piper Creative and host of the WHAT DOESN'T KILL us podcast.
Marion wears many hats, but they all involve creativity.
Most often she's a copywriter, helping people communicate with confidence and clarity. At other times she's a creativity coach, helping creative entrepreneurs ignite, maintain and execute on their ideas.
Let's hear from her now ...
CONNECT WITH MARION:
CRANK THE 3RD: Exploring the entrepreneurial + creative side of life post 50
CRANK THE 3RD is a weekly podcast in which we explore the entrepreneurial and creative side of life post 50.
You've survived the first two professional chapters of your lives - 20s to mid-30s (chapter 1) and mid-30s and through your 40s (chapter 2).
Welcome to the 3rd chapter! By this stage of your professional life, you've seen a lot, done most things, made some cash, expanded your horizons and probably are more comfortable in your skin than at any other time.
But it’s not necessarily all sunshine and roses either. At some stage, many of us reach a point where we ask: “Is that all there is?”
While we have oodles of experience under our belts and are a lot more sure of ourselves and confident in our own abilities, we also live in a fast-paced volatile world.
Technology is ever-changing, and the AI wave has only just begun. A sense of uncertainty is never far away. We know that if we stand still, we run the risk of losing relevance.
No matter how savvy, experienced and connected we are, certain challenges remain.
But on the upside, the number of opportunities staring us in the face is enormous, and unprecedented!
The goal of CRANK THE 3RD is to inspire energised, forward-thinking 50 and 60-somethings to continue to think expansively and creatively about their current situation, and to ponder, plot and plan the exciting road they have ahead of them.
You’ve put in the hard yards: now it’s time to capitalise!
Let’s dive in!
------------------------------