Four Phases of Creativity

I recently came across an enlightening article by Scott Jeffrey (link here) about the creative process. It described four phases of creativity. In a nutshell, they are:  Preparation; Incubation; Illumination; and Verification. (These categories are from The Art of Thought, by Graham Wallas). 

I've been pondering the different phases of creativity, especially the first two. According to Wallas, Preparation requires intense study and hard, focused thinking. During Preparation, there is a childlike sense of wonder and delight learning new things, as well as a lot of plain old hard work. 

In the next phase, Incubation, ideas must germinate. The artist must wait patiently. His mind should be quiet, yet receptive to new ideas. The Incubation period cannot be rushed or managed. It takes its own time, as the brain unconsciously processes a lot of information.

I love the way that Rainer Marie Rilke expressed this process in his book Letters to a Young Poet:  "Works of art are of an infinite solitude...  Allow your judgments their own silent, undisturbed development, which, like all progress, must come from deep within and cannot be forced or hastened. Everything is gestation and then birthing. [One must] with deep humility and patience wait for the hour when a new clarity is born. .. Patience is everything!"

The current quarantine has provided a rare amount of quiet. Now we await that moment of clarity.  Patience!!