I have been writing a lot of haikus lately, and they have gotten me thinking about Rugged Creativity. What is Rugged Creativity?
In a sentence, Rugged Creativity is the creativity you need to survive in a rugged world. That hiker who had to gnaw his own arm off when he was trapped un a boulder represents rugged creativity. The Ethiopian entrepreneur who went from a shack to a mansion almost overnight because of her inspiring idea to create internet access for all of Ethopian citizens? Rugged creativity.
It is creativity born of necessity, the kind of creativity that helps you to survive and does not compromise. If it is soft, it is not rugged creativity. If it forgives, it is not rugged creativity.
If it allows you to think unfiltered and unhindered thoughts, doesn’t bend the the will of any man, and tastes like the whiskey on Hemmingway’s breath. That, my friend, is rugged creativity.
May it be with you too.
Peter