I like to think of myself as creative and agree that most of the dozen points expressed above do apply to me. Some more than others of course.
12 Most Striking Tendencies of Creative People
Ever wonder what makes those wacky, creative types tick? How is it that some people seem to come up with all kinds of interesting, original work while the rest of us trudge along in our daily routines?
Creative people are different because they operate a little differently. They:
1. Are easily bored
A short attention span isn’t always a good thing, but it can indicate that the creative person has grasped one concept and is ready to go on to the next one.
2. Are willing to take risks
Fearlessness is absolutely necessary for creating original work, because of the possibility of rejection. Anything new requires a bit of change, and most of us don’t care for change that much.
3. Don’t like rules
Rules, to the creative person, are indeed made to be broken. They are created for us by other people, generally to control a process; the creative person needs freedom in order to work.
4. Ask “what if…”
Seeing new possibilities is a little risky, because it means that something will change and some sort of action will have to be taken. Curiosity is probably the single most important trait of creative people.
5. Make lots of mistakes
A photographer doesn’t just take one shot, and a composer doesn’t just write down a fully realized symphony. Creation is a long process, involving lots of boo-boos along the way. A lot goes in the trash.
6. Collaborate
The hermit artist, alone in his garret, is a romantic notion but not always an accurate one. Comedians, musicians, painters, chefs all get a little better by sharing with others in their fields.
7. Are generous
Truly creative people aren’t afraid to give away their hard-earned knowledge. The chef can give you the recipe because she knows you won’t make it like she does anyway.
8. Are independent
Stepping off the beaten path may be scary, but creative people do it. Children actually do this very well but are eventually trained to follow the crowd.
9. Experiment
Combining things that don’t normally go together can result in brilliance or a giant mess. Trial and error are necessary to the creative process.
10. Motivate themselves
There does seem to be a spark that creative people share, an urgent need to make things. They are willing to run the inherent risks of doing something new in order to get a new result.
11. Work hard
This is probably the most overlooked trait of creative people. People who don’t consider themselves to be creative assume that people who are creative are magical, that ideas just pop into their heads effortlessly. Experienced creative people have developed processes and discipline that make it look easy.
12. Aren’t alone
The good news is that it’s possible for everyone to be creative. There are creative accountants, creative cooks, creative janitors, creative babysitters. Any profession or any hobby can be made into a creative pursuit by embracing and using creative traits.
Do you consider yourself creative? (Say yes.) Finding something you’re really passionate about will help you take a chance and might just result in something wildly creative.
Featured image courtesy of mattdoucette via Creative Commons.
Kim Phillips
Kim Phillips is the founder of Lucid Marketing and author of the Lucid at Random blog. With over 30 years of experience in corporate advertising for a major financial institution, sales and marketing, Kim provides clients with marketing communication strategies, branding, content management and creative services. She is a teacher and speaker, and she finds time for musings and the occasional rant on her personal blog.
71 comments
I would add to the list that creative people often have many unfinished objects and abandoned projects. From my own experience I realize that if a project goes on too long that the boredom you described sets in. I sometimes lay a project down for that high I get in imagining and beginning something new. At times I go back to finish the project, but some have been unfinished for months and years. I have learned what I can do well over the years and have turned to shorter term projects. This has boosted my completion rate considerably. Thanks for this very informative and validating list.
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So totally right! I agree 100%! Thanks for the wonderful summary and for sharing :)
I like seeing some of my 'failings' turned round as listed as positive points! No 1 and no 8 especially.
Love this! It's so true. Love the collaboration bit especially- I love getting together with others and seeing what we can create together.
would "are always late" fall under the catagory of #3? or could it be #13? or am i just an inconsiderate creative person?
@andersabrahamsson It's always tricky to take something as fluid and dynamic as creativity and reduce it to a list of traits. Also, whilst the tendencies may be true, they're not necessarily causally related to creativity. I, for instance, know very generous people who are very conservative. And utter idiots who make many mistakes...
@AlfRehn @andersabrahamsson The 12 Most format is a list, and it wasn't meant to reduce but rather to validate. Many, many people have written to say that this post really spoke to them and validated them as creative people. Saying that creative people are generous doesn't say, or even imply, that "conservative" people are not generous; rather, creative types are usually willing to share, that's all. Everybody makes mistakes... that doesn't make them smart necessarily--the post didn't say or imply that--it just means that mistakes are part of the creative process. And, the post makes the point that anyone can be creative. This is an opinion piece by someone who has been a professional in creative fields for over 30 years; it is based on my observation, personal experience, and professional work.
Numbers 9 and 11 are my favorites. I know what it's like to work hard and create giant, brilliant messes. :)
@suninu Brian--I personally would be very happy for you to use the list in your workshop; since the post was written for 12Most, it technically belongs to them so you'll probably need to ask their permission. Please write to submissions @ 12most.com (no spaces, of course) and ask the editor if it's OK. If you quote from it online, please provide a link back to the post. Thanks!
hi Kim
I am holding a workshop soon on creativity for testers of IT software.
May I use your list in the workshop. ?
I will of course quote that it comes from you.
thanks in advance
brian
@MJVega bromeaba pero fijate que las personas realmente creativas que conozco si son oootra onda n.n
@Kim Phillips What a light and fun list! I think people tend to think that creative means "artsy" and that's just not true. -A great start to my Thursday-thanks!
Wait, creative people aren't magic? Darn it! There goes my idea about twitching my nose and getting my next marketing campaign completed. Oh well.
Enjoyed your post.
@hotel_goddess @12most Yes! Interesting, some of those qualities would not sound good on a traditional resume....
I appreciated the traits you identified here, Kim. Here's a hearty vote for #3 - does that mean I'm creative ;)? I don't want to go down that pat-on-back road because there are multitudes more creative than me.
I will say I had a recent discussion with @kfvickery, and one thing I will add to the list - Not Content. I love my life, and I've enjoyed some of the solutions I've come up with, but I am never content with my outcomes. I can appreciate them, but I can also see how they could have been better.
Not that I'm miserable or a perfectionist, mind you -> I just always want "better".
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@dbvickery #3 is also my favorite. ;0) "Never satisfied" should have definitely been on the list! The moment we get too satisfied with our own work is when we stop getting better. I never create ANYTHING that I don't instantly see several things wrong with it. Thank you for pointing out that trait and for reading... @dbvickery
Great list. I recognise most of these traits, including easily bored (which can be a problem). I agreee with Nicknelo that there are times to collaborate & times to work alone - a balance is needed.
@nicknelo @SuePownall I'm doing absolutely nothing right now but feel exceptionally creative.
Definitivt kreativ: Combining things that don’t normally go together can result in brilliance or a giant mess. @gstene http://t.co/Z4xl5xNj
In regards to Collaboration - I think it's important to have a period where you don't collaborate as much - just like Emily Dickinson, Paul Gauguin & Charlotte Bronte (famous loners). But showed this was balanced with times of deep collaboration - An interesting article about it here: http://the99percent.com/articles/7152/The-Social-Networks-of-Emily-Dickinson-Paul-Gauguin-Charlotte-Bronte @nicknelo
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Kim, what a great post. Thanks. Some of these, such as #1 and #3 can be viewed (or judged) by others to be negative traits. But without these attributes, creative people wouldn't dream up and do the wonderful stuff and art they do that makes the world a better place. Thanks.
@Sheri_ls A toast: Here's 2 giving instant gratification its due, but it's also nice 2 have something 2 look forward 2. (;>))
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