CREATIVITY IN COMPETITION BY MATTHEW MCKIERNAN

It’s always important to study your best self. That is, to figure out what you’re doing right and try to replicate it going forward.

I took this approach in my personal creativity reflection and I want to urge you all to do so as well. Begin by asking yourself “when am I most creative?” What moments, or situations really get your creative juices going. Is it when you’re alone? In a group? Maybe it’s when you’re working, or maybe you’re most creative during you’re down time.

For me, the answer came quick. I am my most creative in my most competitive moments. For most people, in the face of competition they almost always tend to play it safe. This makes sense too, when the stakes are high and pride is on the line its natural to shy away from creativity and risk. That being said, I find that the natural pressure and urgency that comes with competitive situations makes for the perfect time to be creative. In a competition, the goal is to separate yourself from the pack, to be better at ______ than everyone else in the room. In order to be better, one must be original and being original takes creativity. I firmly believe that those who “win” the most are the ones who attack their competition from new and untested angles. Those who truly come out on top are the ones who weren’t afraid to be creative, they are the ones who took a risk and watched it pay off. I am proud to say that I am most creative in my most competitive moments, try it out and experience the payoffs.