Everyone wants to create something great.
That 'something' varies — a piece of work, a business, a family, an environment, a self, a meaningful relationship, a work of art, a better world, a legacy — but the same urge lies within all of us.
According to research, creative people have four specific skills — all of which can be learned:
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Capturing: they note down the ideas that occur to them
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Challenging: they seek out difficult tasks
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Broadening: they develop new skills and acquire knowledge
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Surrounding: they create interesting environments that can spark new ideas
In a fascinating finding, scientists have discovered that the very best predictor of creative output was capturing. People who pay attention to their passing ideas — no matter how bad or silly or strange they might seem — are significantly more likely to turn them into something real.
Your ideas are a gift to the world, but they can't exist in the world until you capture them and invest your energy into them. They rely upon you.
To create your own great something, start capturing. Grab a piece of paper or start a note on your phone, titling it 'Idea Seeds.' Whenever an idea occurs to you, jot it down. Return to your note every once in a while, reflecting on which ideas call to you the most. What might you be able to make from them?
Your great something is just waiting to become a reality.