Last post I talked at the suppression of genius. There were some really interesting studies that showed that as people get older, they get less creative. Why does this happen? In my opinion, it happens becuase we live in a sea of “No’s.” As we grow up, the pressure is on to become “normal.” We are taught the notion of boundaries. We are taught the meaning of the word “no” all to well. At some point, we are told that we have to hang up superman’s cape and trade it for normalcy. We are told we can’t make a living following our dreams. It seems to me that all over society discourages us to stand up and be creative.

I think it’s time for a creative revolution in our world. We need more folks that aren’t afraid to raise their hands because they are too embarrassed at what others will say. We need to step up and take charge. We need to put a bullet through the forehead of mediocrity. We must teach our kids that it’s ok to follow our passions. That it is ok to be different. Creativity and passions should be celebrated, not discouraged.

If you look at our great leaders of today, just about every single one of them has the story where they came from an environment of people telling them they shouldn’t do what they were trying to do. Rarely do you ever hear of them having cheerleaders on the side saying, you can do it! Their creativity and passions were discouraged at just about every turn. If they had listened, we wouldn’t have the music, art, businesses, concepts and ideas of today. No innovation would occur. If you look at progression in our world, it comes from folks that dare to be different. That stand up and aren’t afraid to raise their hands. They come from people that push limits and follow what they think is right. They close their minds to the rest of the herd out there that discourage them.

Imagine for a moment if people’s passions were encouraged. If our artists, businesses, leaders, achievers and doers were celebrated for their efforts from the beginning, rather than after or if they made it? What great advancements could happen to our world? What new products would be created? Imagine the advancements in all of the various fields out there. I think we need to stop this suppression of creativity. We live in a sea of “No’s.” We must build up those who dare to fight for their passions. It’s time we encourage each other to be great and do great work.

Everyone is born creative; everyone is given a box of crayons in kindergarten. Then when you hit puberty, they take the crayons away and replace them with dry, uninspiring books on algebra, history, etc. Being suddenly hit years later with the “creative bug” is just a wee voice telling you, ” I’d like my crayons back please.” – Hugh Macleod

“To be nobody but yourself in a world that’s doing its best to make you somebody else, is to fight the hardest battle you are ever going to fight. Never stop fighting.” – E.E. Cummings