With colleagues, I’ve been building out five self-paced programs, based on the previous 10 years of in person and online Zoom delivery of workshops. The Creative Tension framework is one that we have used across all programs. It was suggested to me to make ONE reference to it, to minimize link complexities. So here it is…. One of my favorites. The full, short chapter from Generative Scribing that includes it is called Choice.
Creative Tension is a foundational framework to consider when developing the ability to exist within—and manage—change. Robert Fritz first introduced the model in the context of creativity and organizational learning. In Visual Practice programs, the team has adapted its use to support a scribe’s development.
Essentially, “current reality” is represented at the base, “vision” at the top, and—as if the two were connected by a rubber band—the “creative tension” between them can expand or contract depending on how far apart the top is from the bottom. To relieve tension, we can relax the vision or positively shift reality. To increase tension, we might grow the vision while staying fixed in the existing reality. Either way, the hope for the development of a practice is that reality improves and vision can also slowly rise.
The video below further explains the model. It’s useful for all stages of learning. (I have to say to Robert Hanig, Peter Senge, and Bill Isaacs: forgive me if I am butchering and simplifying the breadth of this model, that I learned from each of you in it’s fullness.)
Practice
- In a journal, identify the vision for your visual practice on the top of the page.
Where would you like to be? - Then at the bottom of the page, add your current reality.
Where are you with your capability today? - And then in between, describe the creative tension that you are holding, and identify a few steps you might make to work with it in an intentional way.
References
Robert Fritz, Creating: A practical guide to the creative process, Random House Publishing Group (March 31, 1993)