The 5 Cups Of Creativity

 / 

the cups of creativity

Creativity refers to the ability to formulate innovative ideas, knowledge and skills. It helps you to understand your true potentialities.

For the last couple of decades, Iโ€™ve devoted myself to helping people discover and use their creative gifts. In my various roles as a teacher, musician, writer, and editor, Iโ€™ve become convinced of one truth: we find the most joy, and we help the most people when we are doing what we are born to do.

However, there are several barriers that prevent most of us from living and creating at our full potential. These barriers result from confusion:

  • We are confused about the PROCESS of creativity because we lack a systematic way to develop our creative potential. We bounce between various books, courses, resources, habits, and systems, never truly committing to any of them, and only frustrating ourselves more along the way.
  • We are confused about the NATURE of creativity because we misunderstand the creative process. We tend to believe that only highly gifted or talented people are truly creative.
  • We are confused about the ACTIONS of creativity because we suffer from information overload. We are consuming too much content, listening to too many voices, and not taking decisive action on what we do know.
  • We are confused about the PURPOSE of creativity because we arenโ€™t clear about our own gifts and goals in life.

Over the past few years, Iโ€™ve been on a search to understand more about these barriers and how they prevent us from being more creative. The more I studied, the more I began to see that there was a clear process for developing greater creativity. This process revealed itself as I studied the lives of some of the worldโ€™s most creative people, and it also rang true as I thought about the ups and downs of my own creative life.

Related: 7 Inner Archetypes That Cripple Your Confidence and Self-Respect

This process (you might also call it a template or pathway) gives you a framework for understanding and developing creativity in your own life. I call it The 5 Cups of Creativity.

In order to be open to creativity
The 5 Cups of Creativity

The Origin of the โ€œ5 Cupsโ€ Theory

Over the last few years, I began to look at my own life and wonder why I hadnโ€™t seemed to reach my creative potential. I knew I was capable of so much more than what I was producing. The more I studied the subjects of success and creativity, I began to see patterns emerge in the lives of highly creative people, such as the Pixar team, Steve Jobs, Leonardo da Vinci, Coach John Wooden, Abraham Lincoln, Stephen King, and so many others.

It all seemed to click when I came across this quote from Walt Disney:

“Somehow I canโ€™t believe that there are any heights that canโ€™t be scaled by a man who knows the secrets of making dreams come true. This special secret, it seems to me, can be summarized in four Cโ€™s. They are curiosity, confidence, courage, and constancy, and the greatest of all is confidence. When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionable.” โ€“ Walt Disney

Disneyโ€™s statement seemed to summarize everything I was learning about creativity. I took this as a starting point and made a couple of adjustments youโ€™ll see in a moment.

So how do you, as Walt Disney said, make dreams come true? How do you unlock your creative potential and begin to pursue what you were born to do? This framework of the 5 cups of creativity is a great starting point.

The 5 Cups

Letโ€™s dive into the 5 cups. But before we do, keep in mind that these do not work in a linear fashion. You donโ€™t necessarily work on clarity first, then move on to confidence. Creativity is more nuanced and individualized than that. These โ€œ5 cupsโ€ are like the parts of a car (engine, wheels, body, etc.) that all must be working for the car to go anywhere.

Ready? Letโ€™s dive it.

1. Clarity

Creativity is like a river, and clarity is the right and left river banks. When you have clarity about your gifts, your goals, your purpose, and your audience, it allows your creativity to run faster, deeper, and in the right direction.

Related: The Power of Mind Mapping for Clarity

2. Confidence

When you believe in yourself and your abilities, you can accomplish more than you ever thought possible. A person who lacks confidence will always be timid and fearful, doubting themselves and their direction. Confidence gives you the momentum and courage to tackle obstacles and reach for higher goals.

3. Consistency

Almost anyone can create something worthwhile on occasion, but a true professional approaches creativity like a workman. As William Faulker said, โ€œI only write when I am inspired. Fortunately, I am inspired at 9 oโ€™clock every morning.โ€ Creativity requires consistent, daily effort to accomplish anything worthwhile in the long run.

4. Curiosity

This is the desire to explore new subjects and find connections between things that donโ€™t seem related. The curious person values learning for its own sake, not just as a means to an end.

Curiosity is the impulse that allowed Leonardo da Vinci to invent so many marvelous machines and make so many contributions to our understanding of anatomy, architecture, science, and many other areas. Likewise, Disney was an endlessly curious person who literally changed the world through storytelling, animation, and theme parks.

5. Community

Creativity is not a one-man (or one-woman) show. You need a team, mastermind, small group, teachers, peers, and mentors who will help you soar further than you can on your own. Your community will make you sharper and better. No one is a self-made man (or woman).

As we go further in this series, we will explore each of these areas in more detail: what each one is, why we need it, how to get it, and how to overcome the barriers that so often derail us.

With Apologies to Walt Disney

Earlier, I mentioned a quote from Walt Disney that was so helpful in summarizing creativity for me. Disney mentioned four key areas: curiosity, confidence, courage, and constancy. You might notice that my areas are a little difference than his.

I kept Curiosity and merged Courage with Confidence because they are similar. I changed Constancy to Consistency because itโ€™s a more up-to-date term. But what about my other two areas, Clarity and Community?

I added Clarity because we need it now more than ever. With so many opportunities today, and so many distractions, it is vital for any creative person to have a clear understanding of their gifts, direction, purpose, goals, and audience. If you read any biography of Walt Disney, youโ€™ll see that he was clear on what his gifts were, and what he wanted to accomplish.

I also added Community because almost any artist who accomplishes anything noteworthy does so with other peopleโ€™s help. This was certainly the case with Walt Disney. He employed a small army of artists, designers, musicians, and other creatives to makes his vision a reality.

So with my apologies to the great Walt Disneyโ€“an artist I deeply respect and admireโ€“I made a few changes to the well-known quote I cited above and used it as a basis for this 5 Cups of Creativity template.

Related: 6 Ways You Can Better Your Life With Self-Curiosity

Why Use Cups as a Metaphor?

Finally, you might wonder why Iโ€™ve used cups as a metaphor for these five creative habits. There are several reasons:

  • Cups are PORTABLE. Over the years, Iโ€™ve read various ministry and business books that use โ€œbucketsโ€ as a metaphor. But when it comes to creativity, a bucket is not a good metaphor because no one takes buckets with them. However, we take cups everywhere: the car, the office, and pretty much everywhere else. Creativity is something you take with you wherever you go.
  • Cups need constant REFILLING. You have to keep your creative cup filled up because it regularly runs dry. No one else can fill it for you; you must take responsibility for filling it yourself.
  • Cups contain FUEL. If youโ€™re a coffee drinker, you probably see it as a cup of fuel that helps run your day. Creativity is the fuel that feeds your passion and work, just as caffeine does.
  • Cups represent FULLNESS. When you live an intentionally creative life, you create and live from a sense of fullness, not emptiness.
  • Cups represent SHARING. We intuitively think about getting coffee with a friend or going out to dinner with people we enjoy. Cups represent sharing, relationship, and community. Creativity is meant to be the same way.

As we explore this series, weโ€™ll go much deeper into the 5 Cups and how to incorporate each of them into your life. For now, consider these five areas and think about where you are doing well, and where you could use improvement. I invite you to share in the comments below.

Therefore identify your inner potentialities by investing on yourself.


Written by Kent Sanders
Originally appeared on Kent Sanders
The 5 Cups of Creativity
The 5 Cups of Creativity
the cups of creativity pin
the cups of creativity

— Share —

— About the Author —

Leave a Reply



Up Next

How To Deal With Nosy People? 8 Ways To Handle Intrusive People

How To Deal With Nosy People? Effective Approaches

Are you tired of dealing with nosy people who always seem to pry into your business and personal matters? No matter how hard you try, they always seem to have their nose in your private matters? Well, I have some good news for you. Today, we are going to talk about how to deal with nosy people, and also the signs of nosy people.

I’m going to give you some golden solutions to navigate such sticky situations. Whether it’s your nosy neighbor, your overly inquisitive co-worker, or even that pesky relative who just stop asking personal questions, I’ve got your back.

So, let’s explore how to spot nosy behaviors and how to deal with nosy people. First, let’s talk about the signs of nosy people.

Related



Up Next

4 Ways To Find Greater Fulfillment In Life

Finding Greater Fulfillment In Life: Ways To Achieve That

Living a fulfilling and purposeful life is one of the most underrated mindsets and skills to have. But what are the best ways you can go about finding fulfillment in life? Let’s find out, shall we?

Sรธren Kierkegaard, a Danish philosopher, theologian, and poet is considered by many to be the father of existentialism.

His work focuses on individual experience and the importance of personal choice and commitment, and his philosophy offers insights into living authentically and finding fulfillment amidst the distractions and pressures of the modern world.

In the course of Kierkegaard’s writings, instructive themes emerge for how to navigate life’s complexities with integrity and purpose. Here are four.



Up Next

How To Make Right Decisions: 10 Proven Decision Making Tips You Canโ€™t Afford To Miss

How to Make Right Decisions: Best Decision Making Tips

Have you ever found yourself standing at a crossroads, unsure of which path to take? Trust me, we’ve all been there! Life is full of decisions, big and small, that shape our journey and define who we are. This is why it’s crucial that we learn how to make right decisions.

Scratching your head about making a life-altering decision? Life loves throwing us curve-balls and forcing us to make decisions. Whether it’s choosing a career path, making a major purchase, or deciding on a life partner, the ability to make right decisions is an invaluable skill.

So letโ€™s explore what is decision making and delve into some amazing decision making tips that will help you be a better decision maker. These practical insights help you navigate life’s crossroads with confidence and clarity.



Up Next

8 Things To Never Do In The Morning After Waking Up

Things To Never Do In The Morning After Waking Up

Mornings can be a battlefield, especially when the alarm clock rudely interrupts your dreams of tropical beaches and unlimited snooze buttons. But here’s the deal: there are certain things to never do, once you’ve woken up. Trust me, I’ve made my fair share of morning blunders.

Picture this: stumbling around and extremely groggy, you are reaching for that tempting snooze button like it’s your lifeline, only to realize that you’ve wasted precious time and now you are running late for work and household chores.

If you relate to this scenario, then it’s high time you ditch those toxic morning habits and practice some healthy ones. So, grab your coffee and read on to know about eight things to never do after you wake up in the morning.



Up Next

Monday Morning Inspiration: 8 Simple Tips to Make Your Monday Morning Better

Monday Morning Inspiration: Best Tips For Monday Morning

Discovering a way to enjoy the start of your week is hard for everyone. After a weekend full of relaxation, you have to go back to work or school and face another five days before you can rest again. If you’re looking for Monday morning inspiration, here are some tips!

Hearing an alarm on Monday morning feels like a punch in the gut. Itโ€™s an unpleasant reminder that itโ€™s time to get up and do adult things again.

But out of this widespread feeling of discontent comes an opportunity for change! Instead of letting the Monday blues take over, letโ€™s see if we can find some ways to find Monday morning motivation and make the first day of the week more enjoyable.



Up Next

9 Fun and Effective Exercises For Brain Health To Keep Your Mind Sharp

Fun Exercises For Brain Health To Keep Your Mind Sharp

Ever wonder how to keep your brain in top shape? Welcome to the gym for your mind! Letโ€™s flex those mental muscles and discover the key to a sharper, healthier mind with the best exercises for brain health.

In a world where physical fitness often takes the spotlight, it’s time to shine a light on exercises that pump up your brain. There are certain brain exercises that can increase brain health, and boost cognitive function & mental agility.

Practicing brain exercises regularly can do wonders for your mindโ€™s health, helping you stay sharp, focused, and mentally agile. So grab your mental sweatband, because we’ve got all the brain-boosting moves you need to unleash your inner genius. 

Best Ex



Up Next

Compulsive Pulling, Picking, Biting: The What, Why, and How of Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors

Tips For Overcoming Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors

Do you tend to bite your nails often? Do you have a habit of pulling your hair without even realizing it? Engaging in such repetitive behaviors that seem beyond your control can be a sign of body focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs). So, are there any self-help tips for overcoming body focused repetitive behaviors?

Yes. Most of us frequently pick at our skin, pull our hair, bite our nails without being aware of it. While such habits can seem harmless at a glance, when it becomes uncontrollable and left unaddressed, body focused repetitive behaviors can seriously affect our mental health and quality of life.

Although such behaviors can be challenging and distressing, there are ways to overcome it. Let’s explore this complex and often misunderstood phenomenon, exploring what are body focused repetitive behaviors, its roots, i