Elizabeth Gilbert on Nurturing Creativity

Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat Pray Love, speaking at TED on Nurturing Creativity and avoiding the pitfalls of success.

This is the most inspiring and brave talk I’ve heard in a long time and, I think, essential viewing for anyone engaged in creative pursuits who’s ever experienced the fear of  ”What if it’s no good?”. She begins by discussing the preconception that creative genius is very dangerous thing, coming from suffering and often leading to destruction – alcoholism, drug addiction, madness, suicide. She then goes on to look back in time to ancient ideas of creativity citing the Ancient Greeks & Romans who believed creative inspiration is something that comes from outside the individual. She argues that this creates a valuable psychological construct which separates (and protects) the artist from the product of their creativity. She puts to us that maybe this isn’t such a bad thing. After all we are then able to do our part of the job (i.e. showing up on page) and leave the genius to that Something Else. It allows us to let go of the fear and performance anxiety by saying, “If this book is not brilliant then I am not completely responsible…I showed up for my part of the job.”  The rest is up to the “divine cock-eyed genius assigned to your case.”

Utterly moving and inspirational!