For those of us driven by the urge to create something from nothing, the motivation behind our work is vital.
Our creative work becomes meaningful and impactful when that motivation is anchored in generosity. Our audience can sense the sincerity and care behind our work, making them more receptive to new perspectives and solutions.
What Drives Us to Create?
When we approach our creative work with a mindset of generosity—understanding that it’s not just for us but for those who will encounter it—everything changes. Our work transforms into a gift, a privilege we share with the world.
Seth Godin captures this sentiment beautifully: “When you choose to produce creative work, you’re solving a problem. Not just for you, but for those who will encounter what you’ve made. By putting yourself on the hook, you’re performing a generous act. You are sharing insight and love and magic. And the more it spreads, the more it’s worth to all of those who are lucky enough to experience your contribution. Art is something we get to do for other people” The Practice: Shipping Creative Work.
In other words, when we create with the intention of serving others, we work with a deeper purpose. This generosity is something that others can perceive. It’s an unspoken language that resonates far beyond the surface, touching hearts and minds in ways we might never fully understand.
Generosity in Creation Gives Back to the Creator
When we give to others through our creative work, we often receive more in return—greater fulfillment, deeper satisfaction, and a profound sense of meaning and purpose.
Haemin Sunim, a renowned Buddhist teacher, speaks to this truth: “True meaning is more easily discovered not through the pursuit of personal gain, but through serving others. When our life has been of help to someone, we begin to feel the meaning and purpose of our own existence.” When Things Don’t Go Your Way: Zen Wisdom for Difficult Times.
When we approach our creative endeavors with a spirit of generosity, we often find that personal meaning and purpose are natural byproducts. The more we give, the more we receive.
When Money or Ego Take the Wheel
There’s nothing wrong with being paid for your creative work. It’s often necessary. And receiving thanks or acclaim is well-deserved. But when money or ego becomes the sole driving force, the quality of the work can suffer.
Creativity driven solely by financial gain or ego often lacks depth and sincerity. It’s easy to recognize work produced with dollar signs in mind, just as it is to detect when a creator is fishing for ego strokes. There’s a stark difference between those who create to help others and those who operate in the ‘productivity racket.’
Teresa M. Amabile, in her article in the Harvard Business Review, How to Kill Creativity, argues, “Money doesn’t necessarily stop people from being creative, but in many situations, it doesn’t help.” Financial incentives can stifle creativity in many situations, turning a labor of love into a chore. When money becomes the only goal, the passion that drives creativity can easily be lost.
Todd Henry, author of Daily Creative: Find Your Inspiration to Spark Creative Energy and Fight Burnout, puts it succinctly: “You see, it’s really about generosity vs. manipulation…you are aiming to be generous in how you create. You are giving a gift to those who experience what you do. You might get something in return, but it all begins with an act of generosity.”
Work that starts with generosity, with a desire to give, has a life of its own. It breathes, moves, and connects. On the other hand, work that starts and ends with the pursuit of money often feels flat, uninspired, and ultimately forgettable.
Creating with Generosity
We can create for ourselves, for the paycheck, or the applause—or we can create with a spirit of generosity, with the intent to serve others. The latter path is undoubtedly the most rewarding.
We make something that matters when we infuse our creative work with generosity. In the end, that’s what makes all the difference.