6 Habits of Highly Creative People
Being creative is something we can learn through habits
According to science, human beings are all wired to create. Creativity is not something we are born with, but a quality that we can develop and nurture. We can nurture our creativity in many ways if we follow the habits that cater to our creative side.
Our creativity manifests in many ways.
- We reflect on our personal experiences
- We express our thoughts and emotions through words, music, art, and pictures
If you’ve ever asked a musician how they came up with their great hit song and if they could describe their compositional process to you — they would most likely not be able to pinpoint the exact steps they took to compose their masterpiece.
That’s because creativity is a mix of behaviors, traits, and social factors interplaying intricately.
As Scott Barry Kaufman, a psychologist at New York University points out, “It’s hard for creative people to know themselves because the creative self is more complex than the non-creative self.”
Creativity is a complex process and involves the whole brain, not just the right part of the brain, as was once thought.
Our brain is wired around complex network connections. When it is engaging in the creative process, it’s drawing upon input from different brain regions working together, as well as cognitive systems (conscious and unconscious).
In the book, “Wired to Create,” Kaufman talks about ways creative people nourish their creativity.
Here are 6 habits that creative people follow.
They like to daydream
Daydreaming isn’t wasting your time — it’s taking the time to reflect on the world and on your experiences. As Kaufman suggests, “mind-wandering can aid in the process of ‘creative incubation’.”
Creative minds come up with their best ideas when they’re not forcing themselves but have a relaxed state of mind. Their ideas come out of nowhere when they relax, and let their mind wander and take them to different places.
Scientists determined that when we daydream, our brain is engaged in the same brain processes as with imagination and creativity. Daydreaming allows us to recall information from the past and synthesize it with the present.
Solitude is good for our creative minds. To this end, an author can think up of a brilliant plot for his book, a musician can hear a melody hook for his song, or an artist can conjure up an image for his next painting.
If you’re suffering from writer’s block, try engaging in daydreaming sessions during the day. I’ve tried it and it does work. When I write an article and can’t think of a good ending for it, I step away, sit on the couch, and do nothing. I come back to it in a few hours and boom — I have an idea.
They work when they are most creative
There is beauty in working early in the mornings or late in the evenings. Many great artists swear by how productive they are and how they produce their best work in those two-time blocks.
If you’re an artist or a writer, the key is to figure out the times you’re the most creative and produce your best work. Then stick to those hours.
If your time to shine is at 5 am, then go ahead and do your work in the morning. If you’re a night owl and creativity strikes you at midnight, adjust your schedule accordingly.
As a writer, mornings and evenings are ideal for me, not only because I’m more creative in those hours, but also because during those times the world is calm and there no distractions from kids.
They turn their traumatic experiences into creativity
Vincent Van Gogh, one of the greatest artists of the 19th century, created his best works of art when he was in a deeply depressive state of mind. He struggled through many periods of depression and anxiety. However, his mental condition didn’t deter him from creating his masterpieces. On the contrary, his struggles spurred his creativity.
The most popular songs are produced by artists who grappled with their emotions and were dealing with wrenching heartbreak.
Researchers confirm a link between trauma and creativity. They point out that trauma can activate the creative part of the brain and pave the way to personal growth and help people in interpersonal relationships.
They are open to new experiences
Creative minds use new experiences to refuel their creative spirit. As Kaufman says, “Openness to experience is consistently the strongest predictor of creative achievement.”
They embrace their emotions and are open to experiencing a wide range of feelings. Being intellectually curious about the world around them, they constantly seek out new knowledge and experiences.
For instance, getting out in nature and seeing beautiful scenery can be an inspiration for an artist to create his masterpiece. For a musician, attending a symphony orchestra concert can fill a composer with creative energy and fresh ideas for composing his symphonic piece.
They create through failing experiences
Creativity is a journey, filled with twists and turns. A person who creates doesn’t take one straight road to come up with a new product or invention.
One makes a lot of mistakes in the process and goes through a series of experimentation stages. A person who accepts and embraces failures along the way can create a high quality work in the end. That’s because your mind is shaped by the mistakes you make along the way. It grows from your failing experiences.
For example, Newton, the greatest physicist of all time, didn’t wake up one day to invent his theory of gravity. He went through a lot of trials and errors in the process.
And James Dyson, the British inventor, he tried and failed so many times before he created what we now call the revolutionary cyclone vacuum cleaner. His final design is what millions of people now see and use.
Their motivation comes from within
If you ask a writer or a composer what motivates them to create, they will tell you that it comes from an internal desire and not from an expectation for an award or recognition. They like to go with their creative flow. Being inspired by something drives them forward.
According to psychologists, one sign that they’re intrinsically motivated is that creative people find fuel in challenging activities.
According to research, there is a strong link between intrinsic motivation and creativity. That means if you’re doing something for your own sake, you will be more creative. But, if you’re creating something out of extrinsic motivation — money or rewards — your creativity will plunge.
That’s how creative people come up with masterpieces. They tap into the power of internal motivation.
The takeaway is, you must love what you do, and do it with full passion. You must love doing it for the sake of doing it, and not for the sake of an external reward.
Final Thoughts
Creativity isn’t just for artists. People from all walks of life can learn to be creative by nurturing their creative side. The most important thing to remember, whatever you do — do it with all your passion. Do it because you love doing it and not for the sake of an external reward.
And remember, it takes time to create a masterpiece — your work will always go through many trials and errors. Be open to explore and experiment. Be flexible, make mistakes, and grow. Create with passion, and whatever you create will shine.
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