Creativity is the ability to come up with unique ideas. These ideas can be new products, inventions, solutions, or ways of doing things. Creative people also have the ability to see trends or patterns that others may miss. They are open-minded and willing to step outside of their comfort zone, which often leads to breakthrough ideas.
Those who are highly creative are usually quite passionate about their work, but they can be very objective about it as well. They are able to admit when something they have made is not good, and they can be just as adamant about changing it as they are when they believe their idea is the best way to do things.
Creative people often have an unusually high level of energy, and they can maintain this for long periods of time. However, they are able to balance this energy with rest and relaxation. They know that a healthy mind is a prerequisite for creativity, and they make a point of taking care of it.
They have a high level of curiosity about everything around them. They are always looking for inspiration, whether it is from their own personal experience or from their surroundings. They often take a holistic approach to their creativity and find inspiration in nature, music, art, or even their own daily experiences.
These individuals have a very strong sense of intuition and can pick up on small details that others may not notice. For this reason, they are able to create very distinctive and original products.
A lot of creative individuals have a tendency toward androgyny. According to Csikszentmihalyi, this is because these individuals have a tendency to avoid rigid gender stereotypes and roles that society attempts to impose upon them. Creative girls and women can be sensitive and nurturing (often categorized as feminine), while creative boys and men can be aggressive and dominant (often categorized as masculine).
Creative people have an amazing resilience and are able to bounce back from failure. They don’t let negative feedback or criticism get them down, and they are confident that their ideas will eventually pay off. This can be described as a bit of pigheadedness, but it is necessary for those who want to be successful in their creativity.
They are able to see the potential of their creations, which allows them to make improvements that will allow them to stand out from the crowd. They have a unique view of the world that allows them to see things from an entirely different perspective.
If you think you or someone you know is highly creative, try taking this quick and easy test to find out if they are. Simply read through the list of traits and rate them based on how frequently you feel that they apply to you or the person you are thinking about: most of the time; sometimes; and rarely. You can then compare your results with the results of other participants to see if you are close to being considered a highly creative individual.