MOUNT CREATIVITY BY DAVID BLACK

Why do we climb mountains?

I asked Google, and an article I found on the subject from the New York Post quoted the late
George Mallory, saying, “Because it’s there,” in response to being asked why he was going to
climb Mount Everest. (Gotta love Google.)

Mallory is implicitly stating that because the challenge exists, it must be conquered.

I think being creative is a lot like climbing a mountain. There’s not always a path forward, at
times it takes a colossal effort, and sometimes you die trying. Ok, that last part didn’t exactly fit the metaphor, so replace it with “…and when you do it right, you feel like a champion!” or “…and both can leave you somewhere you never dreamed of being.”

That said, just like those who climb mountains, I am driven to face the challenge of creativity
simply because it’s there.

So next time you face a creative mountain that you think it insurmountable, take a deep breath, admire the challenge, and get to work.