I really believe that everyone is creative. Some of us have done a lot of work to fight for and exercise our creative muscle while others have chosen a respectable, but different alternative. While we’re all creative, there are some natural talents and gifts given to people and it’s up to the artist what they do with these gifts. Some of the common traits of successful creative people include:
- Imagination Orientation – Full of ideas and playful. Often drift between reality and fiction but have the ability to be committed.
- Desperate to be Original – Does not want to be “bound”. Seeks to stretch the limits and withers when micro-managed. Want to do things that no one else has done and is driven by the risk of going first.
- Motivated – Loves a challenge. Is innovative even in his/her attitude. Has the ability to work hard because of the passion to complete and achieve. Is very goal oriented.
- Ambitions – Never satisfied. Ever. But does work that attracts attention.
- Flexible – Problems don’t scare them because they see them as opportunity. These are problem solvers. They see things different and come up with amazing solutions.
- Emotionally Charged – They are connected to what they create. They live in the emotion of what they make. One day they will be up. Another, down. But the messier they are, the better work they do. Most good art is created out of angst. Having the ability to find those “places” helps artists do their work, but also leaves them unstable from time to time. The emotional charge also leaves them struggling with security.
- High Belief – Amazing belief in why they do what they do, and often too much belief in themselves. It’s an interesting balance of insecurity and confidence that creates a pallet for good work to be done.
Some of these traits are more flattering than others. Norwegian psychologist Øyvind L. Martinsen, when talking about how the minds of creative people work, makes this observation “creative people are not always equally practical and performance oriented.” As creative professionals, we have a responsibility to be both creative and professional.
Some of these traits make us our best creatively and others emphasis where we need to work to be more professional. In my experience, it’s far easier to be creative than it is to be professional. As artists, we feel people don’t get us or that we are entitled to being moody or temperamental. The truth is, we have to lean in to the stuff that makes us better – the stuff that we do that others won’t or are afraid to do, but resist the urge to be…well, a jerk.
Organizations will put up with moody talent for a while. And talent can permission artists to act out, but eventually, the cost of morale, management, time, and the frustration of dealing with a “moody artist” just isn’t worth it and the organization will decide to move on.
Work Hard.
Be Creative.
Be Nice.
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