The world is full of creative people – artists, musicians, writers, inventors, dancers, etc. They are regarded as unique, often considered odd or strange by those who don’t understand their gift. It is said that they are childlike, impulsive, fantasy oriented, emotionally sensitive and ambitious. This is a fair assessment of many creatives. However, creativity is about more than just being ‘gifted’; it requires a certain amount of risk-taking and the courage to face criticism and failure. It is in these times that true creativity is revealed, and when it is, it can be life changing.
Having a natural ability to think creatively allows these individuals to see solutions where others might only see dead ends or roadblocks. They can connect seemingly unrelated ideas and create new ways of looking at things, solving problems that seem impossible, and innovating in a way that changes the world. This type of thinking is called divergent, and it allows creative individuals to create something original and unique in their field.
Creative people are highly observant of their surroundings and often enjoy people-watching to generate new ideas for their work. They are also highly intuitive and may generate a lot of their ideas through ‘instinct’ rather than through careful research and logic. Creative individuals have a high energy level but can also focus that energy, making them able to work long hours with great concentration and project an aura of freshness. Creative people prefer to work independently, avoiding the rules and regulations that govern more traditional professions, and they often wear their hearts on their sleeves.
While some creatives start out their careers as hobbyists, most become experts in their field through a process of trial and error, learning as they go. They often view their work as a form of self-expression and may feel that the world itself should be viewed as a form of art. This outlook can leave them vulnerable to being taken advantage of by people who don’t have their best interests at heart, because they are more trusting of others than those who do not share their passion for creativity.
Creativity is not about a single individual, but it is an evolutionary process that can affect entire communities or even entire nations. In order to survive and thrive, a society needs a steady stream of innovators who can adapt to the challenges of change. As we look to the future, the need for creative problem solvers is greater than ever before, and this trend is only likely to continue as our world becomes more globalized and interconnected. Only by embracing creativity can we ensure that our children have the opportunity to create a better world for tomorrow. – Dr. Jordyn Torr, Ph.D., is the author of “Creative Evolution: Taking Control of Your Own Creative Potential,” available on Amazon. Follow her on Twitter: @JordynTorr. For more information, visit www.jordyntorr.com. Copyright 2018 by Jordyn Torr. All rights reserved.