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.
What's the meaning of this quote?
Quote Meaning: This quote delves into the nature of creativity and the thought processes of innovative individuals. It emphasizes that creativity is not a mysterious, intangible gift bestowed upon a select few, but rather the ability to perceive connections between seemingly unrelated elements. Creative individuals often possess a unique lens through which they view the world, which allows them to make novel associations and uncover hidden patterns. The quote also highlights the notion that creative ideas often arise organically, and their origins may not always be easily traceable. This can lead to a sense of guilt, as if the creative person has stumbled upon something by chance rather than through deliberate effort. However, the quote reminds us that recognizing these connections and developing them into a cohesive idea is a skill in itself, deserving of acknowledgment and praise.
Who said the quote?
The quote "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." was said by Steve Jobs (Bio / Quotes). Steve Jobs was a visionary entrepreneur and co-founder of Apple Inc.
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Is there a historical example that illustrates the message of the quote?
One historical example that illustrates this quote is the development of the theory of relativity by Albert Einstein. Before Einstein formulated his groundbreaking theory, the prevailing view of physics was governed by Newtonian mechanics, which described the motion of objects in terms of absolute space and time. However, Einstein was inspired by the way light behaves, as described by James Clerk Maxwell's equations.
Maxwell's equations predicted that light travels at a constant speed, regardless of the motion of the source or the observer. Einstein's insight was to connect this concept with the idea of relativity: that the laws of physics should be the same for all observers, regardless of their relative motion. To him, this connection seemed almost obvious once he began exploring the implications of Maxwell's equations and the constancy of the speed of light.
Einstein himself described his approach as more of a revelation rather than a series of complex calculations. He didn't invent new phenomena; he saw how existing ideas about light and motion could be connected in a new way. This ability to see connections that others might have missed and to intuitively grasp the implications of these connections is what led to the creation of the theory of relativity, fundamentally changing our understanding of space, time, and gravity.
How can the quote be applied in a real-life scenario?
In real life, the quote about creativity can be applied to the process of problem-solving and innovation in various fields. For instance, consider the approach of a successful entrepreneur who develops a new app that revolutionizes the way people manage their finances. Instead of inventing a completely new concept, the entrepreneur might simply connect existing technologies and ideas in a novel way.
Imagine an entrepreneur who notices that many people struggle with tracking their expenses and budgeting. They might also observe the increasing use of smartphones and digital tools. By connecting these observations, the entrepreneur can create an app that integrates with users' bank accounts, automatically categorizes transactions, and provides personalized budgeting advice. The app's success lies not in creating a brand-new technology but in finding a meaningful and useful connection between existing technologies and user needs.
In this scenario, the entrepreneur's creativity comes from recognizing how disparate elements—banking data, digital tools, user behavior—can be combined to solve a common problem. The process of seeing these connections and envisioning how they can work together often feels natural and obvious to those who make the connection, even though it may not have been apparent to others before.
This approach highlights the essence of the quote: creativity is often about connecting the dots rather than inventing something entirely new. It encourages individuals to look at existing resources and ideas in fresh ways, to recognize patterns and relationships that might not be immediately obvious, and to leverage these insights to create meaningful solutions or innovations.
Applying the quote to your life
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Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
