16 habits of highly creative people
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Shalu Wasu | Mar 24, 2010
“There is no use trying,” said Alice. “One can’t believe impossible things.” “I daresay you haven’t had much practice,” said the Queen. “When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.” - Lewis Carroll
Many people believe that creativity is inborn and only a chosen few are creative. While it is true that creativity is inborn, it is not true that only a chosen few are creative.
Everyone is born creative. In the process of growing up, educating yourself and adapting yourself to your environment, you slowly add blocks to your creativity and forget that you had it in the first place.
The difference between a creative person and a person who is not so creative is not in the creativity that they were born with but in the creativity that they have lost.
How can you enhance your creative ability? One possible way is to observe the habits of creative people, identify the ones that you feel will work for you and then make a plan to cultivate them.
Here are 16 habits of creative people. If you cultivate some of them, you will feel an increase in your level of creativity. In the process, you will also feel tickled by life!
1. Creative people are full of curiosity.
Creative people are wonderstruck. They are tickled by the newness of every moment. They have lots of questions. They keep asking what, why, when, where and how.
A questioning mind is an open mind. It is not a knowing mind. Only an open mind can be creative. A knowing mind can never be creative.
A questioning stance sensitizes the mind in a very special way and it is able to sense what would have been missed otherwise.
2. Creative people are problem-friendly.
When there is a problem, some people can be seen wringing up their hands. Their first reaction is to look for someone to blame. Being faced with a problem becomes a problem. Such people can be called problem-averse.
Creative people, on the other hand, are problem-friendly. They just roll up their sleeves when faced with a problem. They see problems as opportunities to improve the quality of life. Being faced with a problem is never a problem.
You get dirty and take a bath every day. You get tired and relax every day. Similarly, you have problems that need to be solved every day. Life is a fascinating rhythm of problems and solutions.
To be problem-averse is to be life-averse. To be problem-friendly is to be life-friendly. Problems come into your life to convey some message. If you run away from them, you miss the message.
3. Creative people value their ideas.
Creative people realize the value of an idea. They do not take any chance with something so important. They carry a small notepad to note down ideas whenever they occur.
Many times, just because they have a notepad and are looking for ideas to jot down, they can spot ideas which they would have otherwise missed.
4. Creative people embrace challenges.
Creative people thrive on challenges. They have a gleam in their eyes as soon as they sniff one. Challenges bring the best out of them – reason enough to welcome them.
5. Creative people are full of enthusiasm.
Creative people are enthusiastic about their goals. This enthusiasm works as fuel for their journey, propelling them to their goals.
6. Creative people are persistent.
Creative people know it well that people may initially respond to their new ideas like the immune system responds to a virus. They’ll try to reject the idea in a number of ways.
Creative people are not surprised or frustrated because of this. Nor do they take it personally. They understand it takes time for a new idea to be accepted. In fact, the more creative the idea, the longer it takes for it to be appreciated.
7. Creative people are perennially dissatisfied.
Creative people are acutely aware of their dissatisfactions and unfulfilled desires. However, this awareness does not frustrate them. As a matter of fact, they use this awareness as a stimulus to realize their dreams.
8. Creative people are optimists.
Creative people generally have a deeply held belief that most, if not all, problems can be solved. No challenge is too big to be overcome.
This doesn’t mean they are always happy and never depressed. They do have their bad moments but they don’t generally get stumped by a challenge.
9. Creative people make positive Judgment.
A new idea is delicate. It can be killed by a sneer or a yawn. It can be stabbed to death by a quip and worried to death by a right man’s brow – a businessman Charles Brower
The ability to hold off on judging or critiquing an idea is important in the process of creativity. Often great ideas start as crazy ones – if critique is applied too early the idea will be killed and never developed into something useful and useable.
This doesn’t mean there is no room for critique or judgment in the creative process but there is a time and place for it and creative people recognize that.
10. Creative people go for the big kill.
Creative people realize that the first idea is just the starting point. It is in the process of fleshing it out that some magical cross-connections happen and the original ‘normal’ idea turns into a killer idea.
11. Creative people are prepared to stick it out.
Creative people who actually see their ideas come to fruition have the ability to stick with their ideas and see them through – even when the going gets tough. This is what sets them apart from others. Stick-ability is the key.
12. Creative people do not fall in love with an idea.
Creative people recognize how dangerous it is to fall in love with an idea. Falling in love with an idea means stopping more ideas from coming to their mind. They love the process of coming up with ideas, not necessarily the idea.
13. Creative people recognize the environment in which they are most creative.
Creative people do most of their thinking in an environment which is most conducive to their creativity. If they are unable to influence their physical environment, they recreate their ‘favourite’ creative environment in their minds.
14. Creative people are good at reframing any situation.
Reframes are a different way of looking at things. Being able to reframe experiences and situations is a very powerful skill.
Reframing allows you to look at a situation from a different angle. It is like another camera angle in a football match. And a different view has the power to change your entire perception of the situation.
Reframing can breathe new life into dead situations. It can motivate demoralized teams. It helps you to spot opportunities that you would have otherwise missed.
15. Creative people are friends with the unexpected.
Creative people have the knack of expecting the unexpected and finding connections between unrelated things. It is this special quality of mind that evokes serendipitous events in their lives.
Having honed the art of making happy discoveries, they are able to evoke serendipity more often than others.
16. Creative people are not afraid of failures.
Creative people realize that the energy that creates great ideas also creates errors. They know that failure is not really the opposite of success.
In fact, both failure and success are on the same side of the spectrum because both are the result of an attempt made. Creative people look at failure as a stopover on way to success, just a step away from it.
Filed Under: Growth
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Excellent
It´s a great article. Inspiring and motivating. Thanks for sharing it.
I would like to add two other major traits of such people-
1. An immense faith and self-confidence in themselves ( at times bordering to arrogance)
2. A very deep urge to succeed (what you can say motivation).
Dr Nutan Thakur,
IRDS
Lucknow
Come to think of it, arrogance in that sense is a positive trait.
i was thinking about the idea of simplicity and making it easy to follow and remember when I re – read the article and i found that I 16 is way too much..really way too much. I have heard from several soures that the mind starts to wane and dull if there are more than 5 points….5 digits in your hand…
And these points now with Nutan’s comments are 18…
Oh my goodness !!
How now/
Why not cluster them in 5 groups – it seems like there can be some common platforms under which some points can sit…
Would the writer consider?
I loved the article.. It shows in many different ways how the creative mind thinks and how the creative person behaves..
In my view, it is OK to have many points.. because we are describing a set of traits..
I have a different view about the “eternal dissatisfaction” description.. Yes, they do question status quo and seek alternatives but it may not being “always” disatisfied. Sometimes, they are satisfied with things too (esp. when they have created something).
I also feel creative people have a deep memory and are able to connect things. FOr eg. what they observe in some other place, some other context, they are able to recollect and adapt to a completely different situation and this results in a creative solution..
Great points!! Much better way to start a Monday than the oppressive hum of recession.
Nice post, thanks for sharing. though I am not buying the “To be problem-friendly is to be life-friendly” line since this implies you need to have problems to go on. This is not the case. There are times where you should enjoy the problem-freeness (if there is such a word
)
Cheers,
Follow me at
If I had to pick up one habit that leads to a successful venture, I would pick persistence.
Superb.
Nice explanation. Let me try to be creative by following these points. I know, it’s difficult for me. But still I want to try.
Say best of luck guys…….
Regards
Sankar
Wait a second! How do 7 & 8 go together?
7. Creative people are perennially dissatisfied.
8. Creative people are optimists.
You mean we’re pessimistic optimists? We’re misanthropic people lovers? We’re unhappy hopefuls?
Stop me, please, this is too much fun
Great article! and sooooo right!
As a jewelry designer, mother of 4, military wife…I have learned that creativity exists within and is essential to one’s mental health. I agree that you adjust to your enviroment, and for a creative person “problems” tend to calm most creative thoughts or focus. That’s bad.
However, I do find that I am more creative when presented a challenge! That is why I welcome custom jewelry orders on my web site. I can take another’s ideas and build on it, making them creatively beautiful! I often find that I work best under pressure!
I really enjoyed your article and I will forward it on to my creative peers! There are some things stated that were “A-ha” moments for me! You helped me tinker with a few ideas and settle my curiousity as to why I am the way I am! Creative.
Stacy Miles
http://www.ajdbystacy.com
Junaid – Thanks
. I guess dissatisfied optimists is a better way of putting it.
Charlie – Thanks
Nutan – I agree. I get better ideas when i am in that frame of mind.
Ramesh – Nice idea. Having 5 cluster will make it easier to remember. (but it is not about remembering, it is about being!)I will try and cluster them one of these days! Or better still, would you like to do it – we could co-author the new version!)
Vish – Yes, the ability of making ‘connections’ between seemingly unrelated things is extremely important!
Irene – Thanks!
Alpay – Thanks. I see your point. The context is a bit different here
IP – thanks
Sankar – Thanks
Rich –
Florencia – Thanks
Stacy – Thanks. Happy that you liked it!
Great Article Shalu. While I agree everyone can “learn” to be creative, not everyone can be good at it. Sort of like I can “learn” to dunk a basketball or hit a 95 mph fastball, or serve a 110 mph tennis ball, but it does not mean I can actually do it. So people are just “wired” to be creative. It does not mean that others cannot at least try an be creative, but it is sometimes best to leave the real “art” to the artist (so to speak).
I also see this in sales and marketing. You can learn everything you need to know about each in day, but it will take you a lifetime to master either.
Just my 2 cents.
Creativity is something we all have, just as a lack of creativity is in us all. Depending on your interpretation of ‘creative’ will inevitably lead to how it can manifest itself within ones pysche.
Creativity also needs inspiration. This begs the q “who inspires the creativity?” Of course my answer to this q is “me/myself/I” This can lead some to believe it is arrogant to think this way.
So my next q is, “Is it arrogant to think this way?”
Great article! I cannot agree more with what you say, after being a creative person most of my career. First as a fashion designer for 6.5 years, then TV producer for 19 years, and now Broadband Television. One last ingredient to us creative people…we want to be famous for what we do. Without a doubt I want the world to know and enjoy my work; and hopefully that day will come!
Dear Sir,
Thank you very much, its very nice, please keep it more up.
Thanks & best regards.
Hey Shalu,
I love your article, and the comments that it generated. Thanks so much for sharing this!
When I checked myself against your 16 habits, I came out pretty high except on habit 11
and this is a shortcoming that I’ve known for sometime… but haven’t kicked yet. I’m not sure whether this should really be included in this list (many creative people need someone else to implement their creative ideas) but certainly it’s a very important characteristic for achieving SUCCESS.
Michelle
p.s. BTW, I agree that i would be nice if these were clustered into sub-groups.. maybe we can expand the list to 21 habits, then break it up into three sub-groups. Adding Nutan’s two habits, we’re only three habits away from 21 (notice how optimistic I am
)
nailed it!
what a great collection of wonderful love!
I have learned a great way to share creativity is by excellent communication
and this is most excellent.
kisses
georgette
Wonderful lessons!
Ah, this is fantastic! And the Alice in Wonderland references are sure to catch the attention of said creatives.
Wow. I can’t believe I’ve come here today of all days. I’m brainstorming my creative whims at this very moment. @Heike_Miller led me here and I’m grateful for it. All of what you said applies. I’m currently in a creative recovery class as we speak! I’ll be sure to come back to read more.
I’m not sure what you mean by ‘creative’ partly because you don’t bother to list examples of who you consider to be highly creative people. Are you thinking purely in the business domain? Without this framing, its darn hard to tell what your habits are actually useful for. I might retitle your piece, “16 habits of people who are not afraid to suggest & try something different”. Trying something different is usually an aspect of creativity, but true creation is far more. Beyond that, lists of 16 attributes for anything are simply too long to be useful. Can’t you somehow reduce the list to a just a few items so that one would have a chance of remembering and putting them into practice? And, even with 16 attributes, you dance around around the key aspect of creation which is daring to ask if a question or goal is itself the ‘right’ question or goal. This is far more than mere reframing. Finally, I’ll point out that there is a previous, deep, and valuable body of work on the topic of creativity. For instance:
Rollo May’s – The Courage to Create
Julia Cameron’s – The Artist’s Way, A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity
Peter Drucker’s – Innovation and Entrepreneurship
“Everyone is born creative. In the process of growing up, educating yourself and adapting yourself to your environment, you slowly add blocks to your creativity and forget that you had it in the first place.”
Truly said …
This accuracy of this article is so laserlike that it is a bit scary. I had no idea I fit so neatly into a box w/ “16 sides”
Great article! I knew that I was creative, but did not think I was creative to the core coz I find I have all the 16..sorry 18 traits of the creative person.
I dont write like you much.. talk a lot.. may be I should pen down more…to sell my idea’s and not struggle to market them
hello Sir,
Its realy facinating articles n i hope can enjoy many things from your wonderful ideas. keep it up
Thanx & Best regards
=Rishan Saleem=
creatives are terribly competitive… so i’ve been thinking of new point to make… the tendency to outdo others in the list making department. So I would add point 17- creatives are competitive with each other.
ps what’s the difference between point 7 and 11
i feel happy to see this site this sould be utilised by everyone
thank you for the great hob
GOOD ONE.
Beatiful words, excellent presentation for every aspect of a person’s Mind. I hv started fitting myself in the above frame.
From
Channel of Energy
Its intresting & thought provoking as well.
A.R.Asif
Shalu,
Awesome article! For #5, I think ‘passionate’ can also be substituted for enthusiasm. I know for me, I am driven by my passions…what I truly love and can dig my hands into….
If I change the word ‘creative’ to ‘success’ it pretty much remains the same.
aren’t these traits required to be good at anything.
Indeed a nice read , Shalu. I will like to submit that though you have listed these 16 valid points here, but we can take them as some of the common threads which run in creative people. All of us are uniquely creative in our own way and may not necessarily possess most of the listed points!! All the non discript beings that we come across like an ordinary door to door salesman,a cobbler or whoever you can think of is trying to be more and more creative in an effort to sustain life!!
What you have listed above ( and this is purely my view, without being judgemental ot critical)most likely applies to the creative term when used in the most literal way…fields like Advertising,Fine arts etc.
Any comments pls..
Shalu, great article. At first read,I could relate them to my life, and the count is increasing ! cheers.
Brilliant article,and I can see that all of those 16 points are really applicable if you allow it to be and for # 7 we can also say that they are always on the go, and not stopping to get comfortable.
Overall its fantastic.
Wonderful article that I just day discovered as a result of some LinkedIn networking. Inspired conversation!! Thank you, David
I have written a book to promote that creativity is important to everyone! This article proves that you can’t put creativity in a box! The Artist Within, A Guide to Becoming Creatively Fit Thank you for spreading the word! Whitney
Your points on creative people are dead on! Great post
Well ths article was awesome N VERY INFLUENTIAL bt very difficult to implement in real life…
Shalu
All points are really good and influential
3 more:
Look at a problem from a cool sense so that problem will start feeling on my gosh,this guy isnt disturbed about how to tackle me….:)
Think simple yet complete and compact solutions to any problem at hand
Use the technology to its fullest to solve a problem.
I felt that all the16 points mentioned here are what keeps me creative all the time
1. Creative people are full of curiosity.
Keeping an eye on each instant of the problem description makes it possible for the solver to identify the real core problem in the problem statement which can be get done by being curious about everything.
2. Creative people are problem-friendly.
Never fear a problem instead just give it a smile…
3. Creative people value their ideas.
Yup bcoz if one is creative he will be aware of his creative capability
4. Creative people embrace challenges.
Because that entertains us by giving us another chance to prove ourselves
5. Creative people are full of enthusiasm.
The same as point 1 actually
6. Creative people are persistent.
Being and staying cool is another way of telling this
7. Creative people are perennially dissatisfied.
Logic is: Are you going to get anything by worrying about your failures…another thing is if your mind is feeling to be heavy enough to cry for your failure better handle it by thinking about what made way to that failure and preplan a strategy to solve such a problem in future.so on doing so you make sure failure has increased your rigidness and overall capabilities.
8. Creative people are optimists.
Dont believe in being optimistic be positive all time.Just question after all why should you have to think in a negative sense when you have the capability and logic to solve a problem which other non creative people face.
9. Creative people make positive Judgment.
point 8
10. Creative people go for the big kill.
You call it a big kill or a full positiveness in initiating a so called tough task both are the same bcoz impossible is nothing just stick to go getter mentality
11. Creative people are prepared to stick it out.
same as point 10
12. Creative people do not fall in love with an idea.
ideas are like bandiads. if you keep using one for one wound lomger then you live your whole life thinking about how well that wound has recovered.just remember any number of bandiads are available for any type of any number of wounds.So keep enjoying the task odf healing your wounds as its your capability which makes healing possible even on you being under process of being wounded continuously
13. Creative people recognize the environment in which they are most creative.
Yup.you can animate your world,the thinking zone in your brain which becomes 200 percent pleasure rich when you close your eyes and enjoy your strengths and the confidence which you are worth of..
14. Creative people are good at reframing any situation.
Change is the all time necessary in every topic and that makes possible fcing any number of mutations in the strategy followed by the problem
15. Creative people are friends with the unexpected.
Yeah…because thinking a solution to a problem is what makes possible to arrive at a solution which will not happen if you try to use a previously used successful strategy to solve a problem of past.
16. Creative people are not afraid of failures.
After all why should someone be afraid of…but be sure always that your strategy to solve the problem is perfect and makes complete sense.
At last i want to tell….just discover your strengths…you can achieve success of any hieghts…impossible is nothing..
Not all creative people are positive. After all, it was Van Gough who cut off his ear in a depression. Einstein–the man who changed the world–was known as a poor mathematician and a bit lazy. The genius of people like Freud and Jung were brilliant, but their dark sides contributed to their genius. Most people would not be creative without all sides of their personalities, dark and bright. This article is well-written with great infomation, but fron a simplitic point of view that makes creativity seem like a photography class on a session on photoshop.
Speechless.
Amazing.
The thing is so simple and still we don’t realize this.
Thanks for tickling my life with this article.
Hi Shalu,
Amazing article, Kudos!!
I felt like I’m reading a horoscope of an entirely new kind of zodiac sign — Well that’s 1 point to me for making weird connections~
I wish we were handed these 16 points back in school! I particularly liked points 2,4,14,15.. heck, I liked them all! And I guess I need to get working on point 3!
nice article..!