Creative people tend to see the world in novel ways and are adept at spotting patterns and solutions that others miss. They are often able to bring new ideas and solutions to old problems, and they can think of unique ways to express, share and develop their own ideas. It is also common for these individuals to have many interests and passions that they pursue at once.
In addition to being imaginative, creative people are resourceful and adaptive. They are often able to find the best solution to a problem, even if it doesn’t appear to be the most feasible or practical option at first. They are also more likely to use a “big picture” perspective when examining a situation, and they are more comfortable with risk-taking and taking chances.
Creatives are characterized by an insatiable curiosity about how things work. They may ask questions such as: “Why is the sky blue if space has no color?” or “How do content and ideas become viral on social media?” They have a tendency to be flexible in their thinking, and they can juggle seemingly contradictory modes of thought that are at odds with each other in most people, such as being both analytical and intuitive, cognitive and emotional, deliberate and spontaneous.
They have an innate restlessness that keeps them on the lookout for new projects, problems and challenges to tackle. This restlessness can lead to burnout and exhaustion, and it is important for them to find a balance between their creative activities and times of rest and reflection.
For this reason, creatives are not a good fit for traditional 9-5 corporate jobs, where the structure and pace of work is more rigid. Creatives also have a hard time fitting into the expectations of those around them, which can lead to feelings of rejection or isolation. They are also less likely to conform to the rules and norms of their workplace, and they are more likely to question authority.
According to psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, creative people are characterized by their desire to achieve optimal well-being and flow. He believed that creative people are more often than not able to experience these states of flow through their art.
Creatives are often self-taught, and they are not afraid to explore a variety of methods for expressing their creativity. For example, they might learn a craft through apprenticeships or working as an assistant to an artist. They are also likely to read extensively and rely on online resources and other people’s work for inspiration. Unlike other occupations, few creative professions require experience in a related field to obtain entry-level positions, and most creative workers are autodidacts. Some of these individuals, such as photographers and illustrators, gain their initial experience through internships or by working as assistants to more experienced artists.