When it comes to the creative thinking process, consistency is often ignored as a very important aspect. We tend to direct our full attention to the spark of inspiration, the flash of ideas and insight, and the thrill of revolution. Yet, consistency is the unacknowledged hero of the creative process. It’s the glue that holds ideas and insights together, the thread that entwines them into a cohesive account, and the rock upon which transformative solutions are established.
Why Consistency Matters
There’s a need for consistency in the creative thinking process. This simply means accepting that creativity cannot always be suitable and comfortable without the unwavering complement of consistency. It cannot be comfortable neither for the musician, the artist, nor anyone else.
As Huxley once corrected and noted, consistency is contrary to nature, and merely an illusion we like to maintain. Consistency is very essential for a writer, an artist or a musician to be noticed, to be accorded visibility and for such a person to be marketed for profitability. A writer who radically struggles with various niches every year will be hardly noticed.
Consistency is structural in nature. It gives structure to our ideas, allowing us to build upon them and connect the dots. Creativity wouldn’t get to any point or rank without the support and push of consistency. It’s not enough to be creative; you’ve got to be consistently creative.
Consistency and Regularity
The difference between consistency and regularity is the ability to table and dish value each time you show up regardless of how many times you show up. Consistency enables us to refine and iterate on our ideas, making them sound and impactful.
Dishing value based on the ideas and the insights you give should be regularly practised: it should not be a one-time thing. In other words, consistency is a muscle that needs to be exercised regularly.
The Consequences of Inconsistency
Inconsistent creative thinking can lead to fragmented ideas. Inconsistency results in disjointed, unrelated ideas that lack cohesion. Inconsistent creative thinking can lead to outcomes that don’t align with the original goals and objectives. And most times, this can result in a sense of confusion and lack of direction.
Inconsistency leads to unclear messages, causing confusion and misunderstanding. It steals iteration, and stifles growth of new transformative ideas.
How to Cultivate Consistency in the Creative Thinking Process
If you must be seen, heard, kept, recommended, and patronised in whatever niche or field you find yourself in, then you must be ready to inculcate the art of consistency in your dealings and business. You must be ready and willing to set aside dedicated time for creative thinking, and stick to it in order for innovation to surface. Whatever you must achieve must be given time, a precious and separate time for it to come to be.
You must be ready to use a creative thinking framework. This involves employing tools like mind maps, diagrams, or journals to organise your thoughts and ideas. Learn to be still so as to take things down in your journal. Doing that keeps you connected to your plans and future. Also, do not shy away from feedback or criticisms coming from the place of love. You should be open to corrections. Encourage others to review and refine your ideas sometimes before even implementing them.
Final Notes
Consistency is the cornerstone of creative thinking. Creativity can’t stand on its own without the help of consistency–you must consistently practise creative thinking. Creative thinking is good, but it is not enough to take you to your desired destination. It is going to continually be a process without progress. Remember, creativity is not just about flashes of inspiration but about the consistent effort to refine and perfect your ideas.