in praise of mistakes

One challenge to creativity is the pursuit (some may say worship) of perfection. Creation is a process and we must learn to appreciate and bless our "errors" along the way. Many successful inventions are the product of an error made while trying to create something completely different. If we disdain our mistakes, we will not be open to looking for the possibilities in them.

At a recent class at the Prairie Sampler, in Placentia, California, a student used the wrong color during a class. One of the shop's owners came over to her and said "Terrific! that isn't a mistake, it is a design opportunity!" Isn't that lovely? How much better off would we be if we looked at our "mistakes" as opportunities?

How we define our "mistakes" will have a profound effect on our ability to work with them. If instead of viewing the creative path as a stairway with a specific number of steps -- we view it as a trip with many routes toward our ultimate destination. In that way, if we wander off our intended course we don't have the same fear because it isn't "wrong", it is just a different route!

The word "mistake" assumes that there is only one way to do something. In some disciplines this is true, but it is rarely the case in creative pursuits. Some of the best designs and most innovative inventions have come from "mistakes".

One exciting aspect of a "mistake" is that they often occur when you are not paying full attention to what you are doing. When this happens, your subconscious mind takes over. If rather than considering the act an error, you look at it as something with potential merit, you may be inspired to create something entirely new!

Did you know "Post It Notes" were the result of a mistake? If that had been you and your task was to come up with a permanent glue, and your result was a product that only gave a temporary hold, would you have been able to look at your mistake and see it as a different product? How many things have you thrown away as 'wrong" that might have been the spark for something brilliant?

So, how can you become more open minded about your work and let go of your need for perfection? Here are some things to consider:

• Understand that everything has value if you value it. Consider keeping a journal of your work with sketches and notes. An idea rejected as wrong for your current project may be easily adapted for something else later.
• Step away when you feel you have made a mistake. As yourself:
  • What are the benefits of doing it this way?
  • How does this make the work better?
  • How can it be adapted?
  • If it can't be adapted, what are it's merits away from this work?

  Once you have looked at the project in this light, you can make the decision as to whether to fix it or create something different and new incorporating the design opportunity!

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