Significance of ORIGINALITY

Originality is an attractive state desired by many, and achieved only by few people. But what is this originality, is it important and how we each could achieve it?

By definition, originality is the ability to think independently and inventively, while producing a new piece of work which is totally distinguishable from reproductions, clones or other derivatives. Originality can take many different forms and according to a number of scholars, the concept of it is culturally contingent.

Throughout the history, the most original people achieved their level of success because they each had a passion to follow and in order to achieve it they continuously were coming up with many new ideas. They each understood their uniqueness, their talent and choose to use it. Many writings and documents reveal that originality always has been generated by inspiration, intelligence, understanding, wisdom and a broader perspective. Needless to say that pursuing your dream/s, being true to yourself, knowing your values and creating a vision about a particular project for instance, always was, is and will be based on perseverance, tedious work, consistency and a genuine desire to succeed.

On the other hand, for some people originality is not necessarily important, because it might require too much of an effort, and stepping out of the comfort zone is something not many are willing to undertake.
In my opinion originality is very important because it encourages you to always come up with fresh ideas or new perspectives to old ideas, it expands your horizons, it boosts up your confidence and it brings you more joy. Being aware of your own characteristics, skills and talents allows you to be who you really are at the core level, and that’s also significant.

Achieving originality boils down to being unique or to do something new, which is different than being creative. Creativity is the act of creating things (expressed extensively in writings, drawings, theater, music, etc.) and it is possible to be creative without being original. Originality is based on novelty and this takes you back to square one, to self-analysis, encouraging you to know thyself and grow from there. As the elders used to say, find you talent and use it!

As I wrap up here my brief exploration on this matter, I would like to refresh what many said before me and I’m sure will continue to say in the future: every person has unique gifts and those gifts give him or her the power and the opportunity to accomplish great things, if he or she would learn how to use those gifts and focus them onto the right direction.  

Be yourself because an original always is worth more than a copy.