9 Types of Intelligence: All of Us are Creative (But Different)

Most people who think that they are not creative say to themselves: “I’m not creative.” It is far from the truth! The truth is: All of us are born to be creative. If we believe we are not creative, we act as if we are not creative and so we become not creative. We make excuses, we don’t give ourselves a chance, we afraid. However, if we think we are creative, we can become more creative, be more confident and have more faith in ourselves. We must first learn to think and say to ourselves: “I am creative!” This is the first step.

Again, all of us are creative. But “we differ only in the degree and scope of our creativity. There is no one person who is creative in all fields of human endeavor,” write Dr. Yew Kam Keong. I can play guitar, but you can’t. You can calculate complex account figures, but I can’t. Does it mean I’m not creative? No. We are just different. Howard Gardner, a professor at the Harvard University believes that all of us possess nine intelligence to varying extents. You may possess three or more intelligence that may differ from mine (or probably as similar to mine) but nevertheless – you and I are creative. What intelligence do you possess?

9 Types of Gardner’s Intelligence:

1)    Naturalist Intelligence (“Nature Smart”). Creativity in the human ability to discriminate among living things (plants, animals) as well as sensitivity to other features of the natural world (clouds, rock configurations). 

2)    Musical Intelligence (“Musical Smart”). Creativity in the capacity to discern pitch, rhythm, timbre, and tone.  This intelligence enables us to recognize, create, reproduce, and reflect on music, as demonstrated by composers, conductors, musicians, vocalist, and sensitive listeners. 

3)    Logical-Mathematical Intelligence (Number/Reasoning Smart). Creativity in the ability to calculate, quantify, consider propositions and hypotheses, and carry out complete mathematical operations. 

4)    Existential Intelligence. Creativity with sensitivity and capacity to tackle deep questions about human existence, such as the meaning of life, why do we die, and how did we get here.

5)    Interpersonal Intelligence (People Smart”). Creativity in the ability to understand and interact effectively with others.

6)    Bodily-Kinaesthetic Intelligence (“Body Smart”). Creativity in the capacity to manipulate objects and use a variety of physical skills. 

7)    Linguistic Intelligence (“Word Smart”). Creativity in the ability to think in words and to use language to express and appreciate complex meanings.

8)    Intra-personal Intelligence (“Self Smart”). Creativity in Intra-personal in the capacity to understand oneself and one’s thoughts and feelings, and to use such knowledge in planning and directing one’s life.

9)    Spatial Intelligence (“Picture Smart”). Creativity in the ability to think in three dimensions.  Core capacities include mental imagery, spatial reasoning, image manipulation, graphic and artistic skills, and an active imagination. 

So, don’t ask are you creative, but how are you creative?

Ask yourself, which of Gardner’s Intelligence dominate in you?

How can you develop your dominants intelligence?

And how can you improve other intelligence and be more creative?

Lord, Give Us Today Our Daily Idea(s)

My Top 17 Book on Innovative and Creativity Lists

I wrote this article on my other blog Word Speaks Today. Here are my Top 17 Book on Innovative and Creativity Lists. Enjoy! Click HERE also if you want to read my TOP 20 Book on Personal Development Lists.

“Creativity is a characteristic given to all human beings at birth” (Abraham Maslow)

Christianity must be creative because first and foremost, we follow a creative God. There is nothing more needed in Christianity today than creativity. We don’t need more doctrinal precision and biblical knowledge, more conferences and programs. We don’t need more identical youth groups copied from the megachurch on TV. We don’t want to hear another worship song with the same beat, the same tempo, the same words, and the same three chords as every other worship song. We don’t need to follow Planet Shakers or Hillsongs or True Worshippers. We need to be original and contextualize! Thus, creativity is needed.

Best example of creative person and Lord is Jesus. The Scripture says, “He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn’t make” (John 1:3) If you think that the universe is wonderful and it is an act of creative Being – think Jesus, the Author of the universe! We are also made in the image of Him, so we’re at some point – creative people.

There are people who are good at writing books on creativity. We should read it. Reading books on creativity doesn’t mean you will be creative instantaneously. You are God’s creation, you already creative. But to be more creative, you need to cultivate your creativity through reading and applications. Here are some of my books recommendation for you to consider reading with a cautious, prayer and wisdom (Why top 17 books? Because top 10 or 15 or 20 is so mainstream):

1)    You Are Creative: Let Your Creativity Bloom, 3^rd Edition by Dr. Yew Kam Keong

2)    A Whack on the Side of the Head: How You Can Be More Creative by Roger von Oech

3)    Cracking Creativity: The Secrets of Creative Genius by Michael Michalko

4)    How to Get Ideas, New Expended Edition by Jack Foster

5)    How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day by Michael J. Gelb

6)    How to Think Like Einstein: Simple Ways to Break the Rules and Discover Your Hidden Genius by Scott Thorpe

7)    Buzan's book of Genius: And How to Unleash Your Own by Tony Buzan and Raymond Keene

8)    Lateral Thinking: Creativity Step by Step by Edward De Bono

9)    Six Thinking Hats by Edward de Bono

10) How to Have a Beautiful Mind by Edward de Bono

11) The Art of Thinking: A Guide to Critical and Creative Thought by Vincent R. Ruggiero

12) Becoming a Life Change Artist: 7 Creative Skills to Reinvent Yourself at Any Stage of Life by Fred Mandell

13) On Creativity: Awakening the Creative Mind by Leo Ann Mean

14) What Would Apple Do?: How You Can Learn from Apple and Make Money by Dirk Beckmann

15) Business Creativity: A Practical Guide by Jodie Newman

16) The Power of Innovative Thinking by Jim Wheeler

17) Creative Bible Study: A Manual for Training Bible Study Leaders by Ada Lum

If you want to read any of this books, but you can’t find it in bookstores near you (Poor thing!)
Then come and borrow the book from me ya. God bless you with creativity. Amen.

Lord, Give Us Today Our Daily Idea(s)

How-To Generate Ideas #15: Learn to Connect the Unconnected

“Creativity is the power to connect the seemingly unconnected” (William Plomer)

James Webb Young, author of A Technique for Producing Ideas, said, “An idea is nothing more nor less than a new combination of old elements.” The person who knows how to do this is more likely to come up with a new idea than a person who doesn’t. Making connection or combination where none existed before is what an awesome idea is all about.

“The essence of this technique is about randomness,” writes Dr. Yew Kam Keong. “Force a connection of your problem at hand with something selected at random. There are practically unlimited possible connections that can be made.” You see something or you hear someone, often totally unconnected to the situation you are trying to resolve and all of the sudden – idea’s light on! Newton and the apple, Archimedes in the bath tub, Johannes with the coin punch and the wine press, for examples.

Here are some suggestions of doing this:

1)    Random Observation. Look around you and try to make connections between things that are already related in some way (Example; Home movies + Internet = YouTube) or things that are very different (Example; Video game + Exercise = Nintendo Wii).

2)    Random Word. Choose a word from the dictionary or book or magazine and look for connections between the word and your problem.

3)    Mind Mapping Ideas. Put a key word or phrase in the middle of the page. Write whatever else comes in your mind on the same page. See if you can make any connections (google or read the founder Tony Buzan’s Mind Mapping method).

4)    Pick up a picture or Quotations & Proverbs. Consider how you can relate it to your situation.

Try it! Combine and connect to get an idea.

Lord, Give Us Today Our Daily Idea(s)

Story of Idea #2: Albert Einstein the Scientist had the Mind of a Child

“I am enough of the artist to draw freely upon my imagination.

Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited.

Imagination encircles the world” (Albert Einstein)

When Albert Einstein was interviewed on the source of his creative genius, he was purported to have replied, “It was because I’m mentally retarded.” Is it possible that one of the greatest geniuses who ever lived was mentally retarded?

Fortunately, Einstein explained what he meant. Einstein had the mind of a child but the brain of a scientist. Like a child, he was constantly asking probing questions which adults regarded as ‘silly’ like: “What will happen if I ride on a light beam?” Incidentally, it was this question that led to his discovery of his famous Theory of Relativity.

In essence, Einstein never grew up. He retained his childlike curiosity. That was why he considered himself “mentally retarded.” Unlike a child, however, Einstein was able to answer his own questions because he had the knowledge and creativity of a scientist.

Another quality of Einstein was that he imagined in pictures rather than using the language of words in his thinking. Every language carries with it inherent limitations that restrict thinking. For instance, the definition of the word “atom” as an indivisible part of matter restricted thinking about the structure of atoms for many years. Words have limitations. Thinking visually and escaping from our linguistic limitations enriches our imagination.

Therein lies a secret to creativity – maintain the innocent curiosity of a child and imagine in pictures more than words.

Note: Short article above is taken from Dr. Yew Kam Keong’s You Are Creative: Let Your Creativity Bloom, 3^rd Edition (Petaling Jaya: Advantage Quest Publications, 2007), Page 17.

Lord, Give Us Today Our Daily Idea(s)

How-To Generate Ideas #9: Brainstorming Crazy Ideas

“The best way to get good idea is to get a lot of ideas” (Linus Pauling)

Brainstorming is about getting as many ideas as possible from a group of people in short time. This is my favorite method. With a marker pen, whiteboard (or a mahjong paper) and imaginations – together we all can create and contribute as many ideas as possible. Ideas just flow and grow.

Dr. Yew Kam Keong in his most recommended book You Are Creative: Let Your Creativity Bloom (3^rd Edition), list out four basic guidelines to follow in brainstorming:

1)    No Criticism. Criticism of any idea expressed is absolutely forbidden.

2)    No Evaluation. There should not be any evaluation of ideas during the idea generation stage. Participants are encouraged to say whatever comes into their mind without self-censorship. In fact the slogan is “The crazier, the better.”

3)    Quantity of Idea. The very essence of brainstorming is to get as many ideas as possible. Quantity is more important than quality.

4)    Cross-Fertilize. Participants are encouraged to combine or modify any of the ideas expressed to come out with new ideas. There should not be any individual ownership of any specific ideas. Instead, there should be group ownership.

 

During the session of brainstorming, crazy ideas are very welcome. Never be afraid to sound foolish. Only be afraid if you don’t contribute at all. Try not to think too logic. Be free to use your imagination, fantasy and visualization. Be creatively free! “Generally,” writes Dr. Yew, “crazy ideas by themselves are not useful. They are meant for triggering off innovative ideas, which are ultimately practical.” By the way, you also can do brainstorm individually. Just let your ideas flow.

Lord, Give Us Today Our Daily Idea(s)