The Creative Habit: Learn it and Use it For Life

Since moving to Los Angeles, I've been having a rollicking good time. In fact, too good of a time. In the midst of reuniting, dining, drinking, partying, festival hopping, bookstore browsing, video game playing, dancing, moving and working, I've also been NEGLECTING my creativity...aka, figuring out if art is what I want to do with my life.

That's why a book like The Creative Habit: Learn it and Use it for Life: A Practical Guide has been a godsend. I already feel like I have a keener understanding towards who I am and what I want from this life. It's brought sorely needed focus. Twyla Tharp is one of America's greatest choreographers, but everything in this book is applicable to every creative field. I've already recommended this book to an actress and an advertising designer.

Inside the book, she also includes a test that helps you understand your "Creative DNA". It's a way of finding out what kind of artistic personality you are, and if that is representative in your work and what you do. I highly recommend you take this quiz as well. Here's an excerpt:

"If you understand the strands of your creative DNA, you begin to see the "story" you are trying to tell; why you do the things you do (both positive and self destructive); where you are strong and where you are weak (which prevents a lot of false starts), and how you see the world and function in it.

Take the following questionnaire. If even one answers tells you something new about yourself, you're one step closer to understanding your creative DNA. There are no right and wrong answers here. The exercise is intended for your eyes only, which means no cheating, no answers to impress other people. It's supposed to be an honest self appraisal of what matters to you. Anything less is distortion. I include it here and urge you to answer quickly,instinctively. Don't dawdle. "

1. What is the first creative moment you remember?

2. Was anyone there to witness or appreciate it?

3. What is the best idea you've ever had?

4. What made it great in your mind?

5. What is the dumbest idea?

6. What made it stupid?

7. Can you connect the dots that led you to this (great) idea?

8. What is your creative ambition?

9. What are the obstacles to this ambition?

10.What are the vital steps to achieving this ambition?

11. How do you begin your day?

12. What are your habits? What patterns do you repeat?

13. Describe your first successful creative act.

14. Describe your second successful creative act.

15. Compare them.

16. What are your attitudes towards money, power, praise, rivals, work, play?

17. Which artists do you admire most?

18. Why are they your role models?

19.What do you and your role models have in common?

20. Does anyone in your life regularly inspire you?

21. Who is your muse?

22. Define muse..

23. When confronted with a superior intelligence or talent, how do you respond?

24. When faced with stupidity, hostility, intransigence, laziness, or indifference in others, how do you respond?

25. When faced with impending success or the threat of failure, how do you respond?

26. When you work, do you usually love the process or the result?

27. At what moments do you feel your reach exceeds your grasp?

28. What is your ideal creative activity?

29. What is your greatest fear?

30. What is the likelihood of either of the answers to the previous two questions happening?

31. Which of your answers would you most like to change?

32. What is your idea of mastery?

33. What is your greatest dream?