Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes.

creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes

Creativity is Allowing Yourself to Make Mistakes: Embracing Imperfection in the Creative Process

In our fast-paced, performance-driven society, the idea of making mistakes is often viewed as something to avoid at all costs. Whether you're pursuing a career in art, design, writing, or any other creative field, there's a subtle pressure to be perfect, to always get things right on the first try. However, what if I told you that the secret to unlocking your most authentic and powerful creativity lies in the exact opposite—allowing yourself to make mistakes?

Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes.” These words by Sir Ken Robinson challenge us to reconsider our relationship with failure and imperfection. What if the very thing that you’ve been afraid of—making mistakes—is actually the key to producing your best work? By accepting mistakes as a natural and necessary part of the creative process, we give ourselves the freedom to explore, learn, and innovate. In this post, we’ll dive into why creativity thrives on imperfection, and how embracing mistakes can help you grow as a creator.

The False Ideals of Perfection in Creativity

The concept of "perfection" in creativity can be stifling. We often imagine creativity as something that happens in a flawless, smooth process, leading to a pristine, polished outcome. However, if you dig into the stories of history’s greatest creators, you’ll see that perfection is not the norm.

Take Vincent van Gogh, for instance. His famous painting, Starry Night, was born from an intense personal struggle and an exploration of techniques that were not perfect. Van Gogh’s brush strokes were thick, uneven, and bold—not the meticulous, controlled strokes that we often associate with high art. Yet, it is this very imperfection that makes his work stand out as a brilliant masterpiece.

Similarly, Walt Disney, the creator of one of the largest entertainment empires in the world, was known for constantly failing and facing rejection throughout his career. He made countless mistakes—one of which was his first failed animation venture, which led to his creation of Mickey Mouse as a way to move past earlier failures. These mistakes weren’t seen as setbacks; instead, they were opportunities to learn, adjust, and ultimately revolutionize animation.

Perfection, as we often perceive it, is an illusion. In reality, the most memorable and impactful works of art, technology, and culture have been shaped by those who dared to embrace mistakes as part of the journey.

The Power of Mistakes in Creative Development

Mistakes, in fact, hold incredible power in the development of any creative project. While it might seem counterintuitive, mistakes help push the boundaries of what we know and open up new avenues for exploration. Let’s break down how mistakes can enhance creativity and lead to greater innovation.

1. Mistakes Lead to Unexpected Discoveries

One of the most exciting aspects of making mistakes in the creative process is that they often lead to unexpected discoveries. These surprises—whether good or bad—can take your work in new directions you might never have considered.

Consider the example of Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillin. This world-changing medical discovery happened completely by accident. Fleming had left some bacterial cultures uncovered, and when he returned to his lab, he found that a mold had killed the bacteria. While this was a “mistake” in terms of his original experiment, it led to one of the most significant breakthroughs in the history of medicine.

Similarly, in design, mistakes can spark entirely new creative possibilities. The famous fashion designer Issey Miyake once said that “design is about making mistakes and learning from them.” His approach to creativity allows space for mistakes to inform the evolution of his designs, leading to innovative results that can’t be replicated through rigid control or perfectionism.

In the same way, when creating art, writing, or any other form of expression, allowing yourself to make mistakes invites serendipity into the process. A scribbled line might lead to a beautiful new pattern, or a random idea could transform into an original and compelling narrative.

2. Mistakes Help You Let Go of Fear

Fear is one of the biggest barriers to creativity. It often holds us back from trying new things, exploring new ideas, or even starting at all. The fear of getting something wrong can be paralyzing, especially for beginners. However, if we allow ourselves to make mistakes, we free ourselves from this fear.

When you make mistakes without judgment, you’re creating an environment where experimentation is encouraged. This mindset helps dissolve the fear of failure because you’ve already accepted that mistakes are a part of the process. It’s not about being flawless—it's about discovering and learning.

This shift in perspective can be particularly important for solo creators, who might face overwhelming pressure to get things right on their own. By accepting mistakes as part of the journey, you begin to see them as a natural step in your creative evolution, rather than a threat to your success.

3. Mistakes Foster Growth and Resilience

Creativity is a deeply personal process, and making mistakes allows you to grow as both an artist and a person. Every mistake challenges you to think critically and reflect on what can be improved. Instead of seeing failure as something to avoid, it becomes a stepping stone to better work.

Consider J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series. Before becoming one of the best-selling authors in history, she faced multiple rejections from publishers. These rejections weren’t just failures; they were lessons that helped her refine her writing. Each "mistake" or rejection built her resilience, and ultimately, it was her persistence and willingness to learn from failure that led to her success.

This principle applies across all creative fields. Whether you’re writing a novel, building a website, designing a product, or composing music, your mistakes provide valuable lessons that can guide your improvement. The more mistakes you allow yourself to make, the faster you will grow, both as a creator and an individual.

4. The Joy of Experimentation

One of the most enjoyable aspects of creativity is the act of experimentation. Creativity thrives in an environment where there are no rules or boundaries, where you can try out new ideas without fear of judgment. This sense of freedom can only be achieved when mistakes are accepted as part of the process.

In creative fields like music, writers, visual arts, or even entrepreneurship, experimentation is a driving force. Musicians like Miles Davis and John Coltrane were known for breaking traditional rules and creating entirely new sounds through experimentation. It was their willingness to make mistakes—whether it was playing an unexpected chord, exploring new scales, or abandoning established techniques—that led to some of the most influential music in history.

For visual artists, like Pablo Picasso, breaking the boundaries of convention often led to new art movements and innovative works. Picasso famously said, “It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.” This speaks to the freedom he allowed himself to explore in his work, making mistakes and learning from them to unlock truly original creations.

The process of experimentation encourages growth because you’re no longer limiting yourself to what you know. Every failure or mistake provides insight into what works and what doesn’t, allowing you to refine your technique and develop your own voice.

How to Embrace Mistakes in Your Creative Process

If you’re ready to start embracing mistakes as part of your creative journey, here are some practical tips to help you get started:

1. Redefine Your Relationship with Failure

Rather than seeing failure as something negative, reframe it as part of the learning process. Every mistake teaches you something valuable, and without them, you wouldn’t be able to refine your work. View failure as a lesson, not a setback.

2. Focus on Progress, Not Perfection

Instead of aiming for perfection, focus on the progress you’re making. This shift in focus allows you to embrace the messy, imperfect parts of the creative process and helps you celebrate the small wins along the way.

3. Make Space for Play

To truly open yourself to mistakes, it’s important to create a space where play and experimentation can happen. Try freewriting, sketching, or brainstorming without any expectations. Let your mind wander and explore, even if the results are far from perfect. Some of the best ideas come from play, not rigid structure.

4. Accept and Celebrate Imperfection

Learn to appreciate the beauty in imperfection. Instead of trying to eliminate mistakes entirely, embrace them. Let your work reflect your humanity, and understand that it’s the unique imperfections that often make it stand out.

5. Keep Going, No Matter What

Persistence is key. Even if you make mistakes, keep going. The more mistakes you make, the more you learn, and the closer you get to achieving your creative goals. Don’t let a misstep stop you—let it fuel your next move forward.

Conclusion: The Beauty of Embracing Mistakes

In conclusion, creativity and mistakes go hand in hand. Mistakes aren’t something to fear or avoid; they’re a fundamental part of the process that drives innovation, growth, and personal development. When you allow yourself to make mistakes, you open up the doors to endless possibilities and discover the true depth of your creative potential.

So, the next time you find yourself making a mistake, don’t be discouraged. Instead, see it as an opportunity to learn, grow, and explore. Embrace the imperfections, because they are the key to unlocking the brilliance inside you.

Remember: creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. By doing so, you give yourself the freedom to experiment, grow, and ultimately create something amazing.


This extended version of the post builds upon the core idea of embracing mistakes and explores how it impacts personal growth, experimentation, and success in creative endeavors. It provides deeper insights into how mistakes contribute to creativity and offers actionable steps for embracing them in your own creative journey.


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