In the world of work, there are a lot of different types of jobs and career paths that you can choose to pursue. While some professions are more rooted in tangible outputs, others are more creative and abstract. Creative jobs often lack the trappings and concrete evidence that other types of occupations have, but they can still bring a great deal of satisfaction to the people who choose them. For instance, a creative artist may feel blissful while they are working on their latest painting. Likewise, an inventive engineer can feel proud while they are developing a new machine.
The type of satisfaction that creative people feel is unique in the way that it is a combination of both pleasure and challenge. As we mentioned in our article on flow, this is a state of being that can be both exhilarating and exhausting. This feeling of euphoria can be experienced in any field of creativity, from writing to art to engineering to computer programming.
A sense of joy is at the heart of creativity, and it is what motivates many of these individuals to pursue their careers in fields where they can be creative. According to Csikszentmihalyi, creativity is not just about generating ideas; it is about finding ways to transform those ideas into something meaningful. This transformation is what gives creative people a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
When you interview a creative candidate, it is important to understand their definition of success and how they will achieve it. Ask them how they are able to push themselves past their comfort zone and what keeps them motivated. Similarly, you should also ask them how they handle negative feedback and whether they use it to improve their work.
Creative people have a boldness that allows them to take risks and step out on a limb. This risk-taking is not reckless, but rather a calculated embrace of uncertainty. They know that groundbreaking ideas often emerge from the ashes of failed attempts. Having this attitude towards failure makes them better equipped to find solutions when they hit dead ends.
Creative people are empathetic and understanding. They can see the pain and suffering of other people and are not afraid to show their emotions. This is especially true in their artistic work, where they can create characters with a variety of emotional expressions. They can empathize with their audience because they understand what it’s like to be the one creating and expressing those feelings. It’s a characteristic that can help them be more effective leaders and team members in remote workplaces. As long as they remain objective and are able to separate their feelings from their work, they can be very successful at whatever they do.