5 Characteristics of Creative People

“Do you see a man skilled [and creative] in his work?

He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men”

(Proverbs 22:29, bracket mine)

Studies of creative achievers have identified a number of characteristics they share*. The following characteristics are among the most prominent.

Creative People are Dynamic

Creative people do not allow their minds to become passive, accepting, unquestioning. They keep their curiosity burning, or at least to rekindle it. One aspect of this intellectual dynamism is playfulness. Albert Einstein saw such playfulness as “the essential feature in productive thought”.

Creative People are Daring

For creative people, thinking is an adventure. They are less inclined to accept prevailing views, less narrow in their perspectives, and less likely to conform to the thinking of those around them. They are bold in their conceptions, wiling to entertain unpopular ideas and seemingly unlikely possibilities. Daring makes them less susceptible to face-saving than others.

Creative People are Resourceful

Vincent Ryan Ruggiero writes: “Resourcefulness is the ability to act effectively and to conceptualize the approach that solves the problem – even when the problem stymies others and the resources at hand are meager.” This ability is not measured by IQ tests, yet it is one of the most important aspects of practical intelligence.

Creative People are Hardworking

“All problems,” states William Gordon, “present themselves to the mind as threats of failure.” Creative people are those who are unwilling to be intimidated by the prospect of failure, and who are determined to succeed no matter what effort is required. They are willing to make the necessary commitment. Thomas Edison said, “Genius is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration.” And George Bernard explained, “When I was a young man I observed that nine out of tem things I did were failures. I didn’t want to be a failure, so I did ten times more work.”

Creative People are Independent

Creative people are less incline to people’s acceptance and support. Instead of looking to others for approval of their ideas, they look within themselves. They are less afraid of rejection. For this reason, they too are less afraid of appearing eccentric or odd, are more self-confident, and are freer to speak and act independently. 

Be Creative because God is Creative

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

*Summary from Vincent Ryan Ruggiero, The Art of Thinking: A Guide to Critical and Creative Thought (Pearson Educatiom, Inc, 2007), Pg. 90-91.

[Click to Enlarge. You are allow to Copy this Picture]