Myths about creativity, which turned out to be untrue, but still poison our lives. Do you need the life of a creative person? Not a creative person

It is worth noting that among geeks there are really a lot of unfortunate people, since their work is not always clear to others. As a rule, in an average person, brain activity occurs within certain limits, and everything that goes beyond these limits is perceived as something unnatural and abnormal. For this reason, it is very difficult for creative people to survive in this cruel world in which there are so many persistent stereotypes and unwillingness to evolve. Neuroscience confirms that talented individuals think and act differently.The thinking of creative people is literally designed to think uniquely, not like the majority. However, such a gift of nature can significantly complicate life and strain relationships with others. If you are familiar with a creative person, you have probably had the idea more than once that he lives in some completely different world. In most cases, trying to understand such a person is just as futile as trying to change it. In order to be able to adapt to such a person, you need to learn to look at the world through his eyes.

Overcoming life barriers

Many cult works saw the light as a result of their creator's experience of heartbreaking pain and strong emotions. Often, various problems become a catalyst that helps create unique and outstanding masterpieces. Psychology has given this phenomenon a scientific name - post-traumatic growth. Researchers have found that often a strong shock helps a person succeed in a particular business, as well as discover new opportunities in himself.

Search for new experiences

Many creative people are constantly in search of new emotions and experiences. Unfortunately, some of them resort to alcohol and drugs to achieve this effect. It should be noted that a talented person is always open to new knowledge, she is quite intelligent and inquisitive. The transition from one emotional state to another is a kind of engine for the study and knowledge of two worlds, internal and external.

Beauty will save the world!

Creative people, as a rule, have excellent taste, so they constantly try to surround themselves with beautiful things. It can be not only clothing details, but also interior elements, paintings, books, jewelry. According to the results of some studies, it was revealed that singers and musicians demonstrate an increased susceptibility and sensitivity to artistic beauty.

Connecting dots

Creative individuals are able to find opportunity where others simply do not notice it. Many famous writers and artists believe that creativity is the ability to connect dots that an ordinary person would not have guessed to connect in such a sequence. If you ask a genius how he combined these things, he will feel embarrassed, because he will not have an answer to this question. What is difficult for others is easy for a creative person.

Many leaders are afraid to take creative people into the team - they are stopped by prejudice. There is some truth in any stereotype, but you should not rely on prejudice when selecting employees. If you accept stereotypes as true, at least on a subconscious level, it undermines productive collaboration and prevents you from effectively managing a team.

Myth 1. Creative people want total freedom

There is an opinion among leaders that creative people want to remove all restrictions and work in conditions of absolute freedom. This perception is formed because creative people often resist too rigid limits and are reluctant to move in a direction they do not agree with. But this does not mean that creative people expect the leader to completely destroy any restrictions.

In fact, creative people need boundaries from which to build. Complete freedom does not help the creative process. Often creative people complain that they lack a predictable environment in which to work. They need well-defined boundaries and certain resources. Only under such conditions will creative people be able to focus on what they do best.

Of course, if you put too many restrictions on them, they will choose freedom even to their own detriment. So, when organizing work with creative people, keep a balance and do not go to extremes.

Myth 2. Creative people don't care about results.

Another common myth is that creative people are not interested in the result. Many executives think that creative people just want to work on cool, original ideas that help them develop their creative skills. But this is not true. Most people with the highest creative potential are real professionals who are interested in the result. They understand the pattern: the more profit they bring to the company, the more work they will get in the future and will be able to make their mortgage payments on time.

But at the same time, creative people do not tolerate obsession with the material side of the issue, which prematurely kills creative possibilities. Of course, you can quickly choose the easiest and most obvious solution and immediately move on to implementing it - from the point of view of efficient use of resources, such a prospect looks tempting. But by making such a decision, the leader signs for the inability to attract the best ideas and motivate employees to invest in the project - all this undermines the morale of the team. Over time, this approach leads to professional burnout of employees and increased staff turnover, which is very expensive for the company.

Myth 3. Creative people don't have analytical skills

Sometimes in meetings, leaders make it clear to their creative subordinates the following: "Concentrate on making everything beautiful, and I will take care of the strategy." Of course, they do not say it literally, but they broadcast exactly such a message. And they do it in vain.

In fact, people with outstanding creative abilities often have excellent analytical skills, which are essential in the creative process. Creative thinking involves analyzing many aspects of a problem at the same time, in contrast to the linear thinking that many strategists adhere to. As a result, creative analysis often leads to discoveries and insights that other people have missed.

It is with the help of sudden insights and unconventional ideas that creative people can make a huge contribution to the development of the company. So it is in the interests of the organization to involve them in the discussion of strategic issues.

Myth 4. Creative people are narcissistic or insecure

It is important to draw a clear line between actions and character traits. In response to changes in an important project or during a difficult conversation, many creative people actually strike a pose and show their “I”. Others, on the contrary, withdraw into themselves and need regular external confirmation that they are on the right track.

But this does not mean that creative people deliberately complicate the situation. Many of them simply use previously learned patterns of responding to unhealthy trends in the organization. They only act like this in self-defense. By their behavior, they are trying to communicate that they are missing something in your company.

Myth 5th. Creative people are frivolous

Here is another common misconception about highly creative people. Executives are afraid that creative people will abandon the current project as soon as a more interesting option appears on the horizon. They will work diligently until they lose interest. And after that, they will start to shirk from work in order to pursue an idea that they actually like.

In fact, many creative people are responsible for their craft. Their real problem is distractibility. Creative people are more receptive to external stimuli and make connections between them more easily, so it's hard for them to stay on track. But do not rush to write down this feature as a disadvantage.

The insight of creative people and their ability to see patterns can be used to the benefit of the company, but your role as a leader in this process is very important. You need to constantly remind creatives of the company's values, the problems you're trying to solve together, and the limitations of the project. In this case, the team will understand the working conditions well and be less distracted.

Of course, we painted the picture with large strokes. Are there creative people who want complete freedom? Certainly. Are there people among them who are unbalanced and unable to concentrate? Still would. Are there creative people with hypertrophied egos? Ask!

But if you cling to such stereotypes, you will only harm yourself. Don't let prejudices live and multiply in your organization. Fight for your team, protect it and remember that every creative professional is unique.

Neuroscience paints a complex picture of creativity. Scientists now understand that the nature of creativity is much more complex than differences in right- or left-sided brain orientation (left = rational and analytical, right = creative and emotional). In fact, creativity is thought to be associated with a range of cognitive processes, nerve impulses, and emotions, and we still don't have a complete understanding of how the creative mind works.

From a psychological point of view, creative personality types are difficult to define. They are complex, paradoxical and tend to avoid routine. And this is not just a stereotype of a "tortured artist". Research has shown that creativity involves the interaction of many traits, behaviors and social influences in one person.

« In fact, creative people have a harder time getting to know themselves because they are harder than non-creative people. Scott Barry Kaufman, a New York University psychologist who has spent years researching creativity, told the Huffington Post. " What is the most paradoxical thing about a creative person ... these people have a more chaotic mind».

There is no "typical" portrait of a creative person, but there are characteristic features in the behavior of creative people. Here are 18 points that are characteristic of them.

They dream

Creative people are dreamers, despite the fact that their school teachers may have said that dreaming is a waste of time.
Kaufman and psychologist Rebecca L. Macmillan, who also co-authored a paper titled “ Ode to Positive Creative Dreaming”, believe that mind wandering can help in the process "creative incubation". And, of course, many people know from experience that the best ideas come to us when we are mentally in a completely different place.

Neuroscientists have found that imagination involves the same brain processes that are associated with fantasy and creativity.

They notice everything

A creative person sees opportunities everywhere and constantly absorbs information that becomes food for creative self-expression. As Henry James is often quoted, a writer is one from whom "nothing escapes".

Joan Didion always carried a notebook with her and said that she wrote down observations about people and events, which ultimately helped her to better understand the complexities and contradictions of her own mind.

They have their own opening hours.

Many great masters admit that they create their best work either very early in the morning or late in the evening. Vladimir Nabokov started writing as soon as he woke up at 6 or 7 in the morning, and Frank Lloyd Wright made it a habit to wake up at 3 or 4 in the morning and work for several hours before going back to bed. Highly creative people don't stick to a standard daily routine.

They find time for solitude

« To be open to creativity, one must have the ability to make constructive use of solitude. You have to overcome the fear of being alone.", - wrote the American existential psychologist Rollo May.

Artists and creatives are often stereotyped as loners when in fact they may not be. Privacy can be the key to creating the best work. Kaufman attributes this to imagination - we should give ourselves time to just daydream.

« You need to get in touch with your inner voice in order to be able to express yourself. It's hard to hear your inner creative voice if you're...not in touch with yourself and thinking about yourself." he says.

They "digest" life's barriers

Many of the most iconic stories and songs of all time were created under the influence of heartbreaking pain. Often problems became a catalyst for the creation of outstanding works. In psychology, this is called post-traumatic growth, which suggests that people are able to use their hardships and early life traumas for significant creative growth. Researchers have found that trauma can help a person excel in interpersonal relationships, life satisfaction, spiritual growth, personal strength, and new opportunities.

They are looking for new experiences.

Creative people love to experience new impressions, sensations and states of mind, and this is an important predetermining factor for creative results.

« Openness to new experiences is the strongest predictor of creative achievement.', says Kaufman. " There are many different interrelated aspects here: intellectual curiosity, thrill seeking, openness to emotions and imagination. And all together - this is the engine for knowing and exploring the world, both internal and external ".

They fail

Resilience is practically a necessary quality for creative success, says Kaufman. Failure often lies in wait for a creative person, at least a few times, but creatives - at least successful ones - learn not to lament about it.

"Creative people fail, but really good people fail often", - wrote in Forbes Stephen Kotler in an excerpt about the creative genius of Einstein.

They ask important questions

Creative people are insatiably curious. They tend to prefer to explore life and even when they grow up, they retain the interest of the discoverer. Through active conversations or individual mental reflections, creatives constantly ask themselves a lot of questions as they look at the world.

They watch people

Natural observation and interest in other people's lives sometimes helps to generate the best of ideas.

« Marcel Proust spent almost his entire life observing people, he wrote down his remarks, and this found an outlet in his books., says Kaufman. "For many writers, people-watching is very important...".

They take risks

Part of being creative requires taking risks, and many successful creatives have to take risks in various aspects of life.

« There is a deep and meaningful connection between risk taking and creativity and this is often overlooked. writes Steven Kotler in Forbes. " Creativity is the act of creating something out of nothing. It requires the disclosure of what at first existed only in the imagination. Such an occupation is not for the timid. Wasted time, tarnished reputation, wasted money - ... These are all side effects when creativity goes awry».

They see everything in life as an opportunity for self-expression.

Nietzsche believed that life and the world should be seen as a work of art. Creative individuals are constantly looking for opportunities to express themselves in everyday life.

« Creative expression is self-expression. Creativity is nothing more than a private expression of your needs, desires and uniqueness., says Kaufman.

They follow their true passion

Creative people tend to be intrinsically motivated. This means that they act out of some inner desire rather than outward desire for reward or recognition.

Psychologists say that creative people are excited by exciting activities, and this is a sign of intrinsic motivation. Research shows that simply thinking about your own reasons for doing something can be stimulating enough to boost creativity.

They go beyond their own mind

Kaufman argues that the ability to dream is still necessary in order to help us move beyond conventional vision and explore other ways of thinking that can be an important asset for creativity.

« Dreaminess develops to allow us to let go of the present.', says Kaufman. " The brain network associated with daydreaming is the brain network associated with theory of mind. I like to call it the "imagination network" - it allows you to imagine yourself in the future, as well as imagine other people's thoughts..

They lose their sense of time

Creative individuals may find that when they write, dance, draw, or otherwise express themselves, they find themselves " in a state of flux which helps them to create at the highest level. It is a mental state where a person goes beyond conscious thought to achieve a state of heightened concentration and calmness. Then he is practically not subject to either internal or external stimuli that can interfere with his activities.

You find yourself " in a state of flux when you are doing something that you really like, that makes you feel good.

They surround themselves with beauty

Creators tend to have excellent taste and love to be in beautiful surroundings.

A study recently published in the journal Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts found that musicians, including music teachers and soloists, demonstrate a high sensitivity and receptivity to artistic beauty.

Why do some people create masterpieces: paintings, music, clothes, technical innovations, while others are only able to use it? Where does inspiration come from and is it initially clear that a person is creative or can this quality be gradually developed? Let's try to find answers to these questions and understand the secrets of those who know how to create.

When we come to an art exhibition or visit a theater or opera, we can answer with accuracy - this is an example of creativity. The same examples can be found in the library or cinema. Novels, movies, poetry - all these are also examples of what a person with a non-standard approach can create. However, work for creative people, whatever it may be, always has one result - the birth of something new. This result is also simple things that surround us in everyday life: a light bulb, a computer, television, furniture.

Creativity is a process during which material and spiritual values ​​are created. Of course, conveyor production is not part of this, but after all, every thing was once the first, unique, completely new. As a result, we can conclude: everything around us was originally what a creative person created in the process of his work.

Sometimes, as a result of such activities, the author receives a product, a product that no one but him can repeat. Most often this applies specifically to spiritual values: paintings, literature, music. Therefore, we can conclude that creativity requires not only special conditions, but also the personal qualities of the creator.

Process description

In fact, not a single creative person has ever thought about how he manages to achieve this or that result. What did you have to go through during this sometimes very long period of creation? What milestones had to be overcome? These questions puzzled a British psychologist at the end of the 20th century - Graham Wallace. As a result of his activities, he identified the main points of the creative process:

• preparation;
• incubation;
• insight;
• examination.

The first point is one of the longest stages. It includes the entire period of study. A person who previously had no experience in a particular field cannot create something unique and valuable. For starters, you have to learn. It can be mathematics, writing, drawing, designing. All prior experience becomes the foundation. After that, an idea, goal or task appears, which must be solved, relying on the knowledge gained earlier.

The second point is the moment of detachment. When a long work or search does not give a positive result, you have to throw everything aside, forget it. But this does not mean that our consciousness also forgets about everything. We can say that the idea remains to live and develop in the depths of our soul or mind.

And then one day the revelation comes. All the possibilities of creative people open up, and the truth comes out. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to achieve the goal. Not every task is within our power. The last point includes diagnosing and analyzing the result.

Character of a creative person

For many decades, scientists and ordinary people have been trying to better understand not only the process itself, but also to study the special qualities of the creators. person is of great interest. As experience shows, usually representatives of this type are highly active, expressive behavior and cause conflicting reviews from others.

In fact, no model developed by psychologists is an exact template. For example, such a feature as neuroticism is often inherent in people who create spiritual values. Scientists, inventors are distinguished by a stable psyche, balance.

Each person, creative or not, is unique, something in us resonates, and something does not match at all.

There are several character traits that are more inherent in such individuals:

curiosity;

self-confidence;

not very friendly attitude towards others.

The latter is caused, perhaps due to the fact that people with think differently. It seems to them that they are not understood, condemned or not accepted for who they are.



Main differences

If there is a very creative person in the list of your acquaintances, then you will definitely understand this. Such personalities often hover in the clouds. They are real dreamers, even the most crazy idea seems to be a reality for them. In addition, they look at the world as if under a microscope, noticing details in nature, architecture, behavior.

Many famous people who created masterpieces did not have the usual working day. For them, there are no conventions, and the process of creativity occurs at a convenient time. Someone chooses early morning, someone's potential wakes up only at sunset. Such people do not often appear in public, they spend most of the time alone. It is easier to think in a calm and familiar atmosphere. At the same time, their desire for something new constantly pushes them to search.

These are strong, patient and risky individuals. No failure can break the faith in success.



Modern research

Previously, the opinions of scientists converged on the fact that a person is either born creative or not. Today, this myth has been completely dispelled, and we can say with confidence that it is possible to develop talents in oneself for everyone. And at any time in your life.

The main qualities of a creative person, if desired and perseverance, can be developed in oneself. In the only case it is impossible to achieve a positive result, this is when a person personally does not want to make changes in his life.

Modern research has led to the conclusion that intellectual abilities increase when logic and creativity are combined. In the first case, the left hemisphere is connected to the work, in the second - the right one. By activating as many parts of the brain as possible, you can achieve a greater result.



Work for a creative person

After graduating from high school, graduates face the question: where to go? Everyone chooses the path that seems more interesting and understandable to him, at the end of which the goal or result is visible. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to realize the potential inherent in us.

What do you think is the most suitable job for creative people? The answer is simple: any! Whatever you do: housekeeping or designing space stations - everywhere you can show resourcefulness and ingenuity, create and surprise.

The only thing that can really interfere with this process is third-party interference. Many managers themselves deprive their employees of the desire to make independent decisions.

A good boss will support the impulses for development and creativity, of course, if this does not interfere with the main process.



Paradoxes

Let's think about why the character of a creative person is so difficult to clearly analyze and structure. Most likely, this is due to a number of paradoxical features that are inherent in such people.

Firstly, they are all intellectuals, well versed in knowledge, while being naive like children. Secondly, despite their excellent imagination, they are well versed in the structure of this world and see everything clearly. Openness and communicative qualities are only external manifestations. Creativity is often hidden in the depths of the personality. Such people think a lot, conduct their own monologue.

It is interesting that by creating something new, they, one might say, introduce a certain dissonance into the current course of life. At the same time, everyone is insanely conservative, their habits often become more important than those around them.

Genius and creativity

If a person, as a result of his activity, created something impressive, something that amazed others, changed ideas about the world, then he wins true recognition. Such people are called geniuses. Of course, for them, creation, creativity is life.

But not always even the most creative people achieve results that can change the world. But sometimes they don't want to do it themselves. For them, creativity is, first of all, an opportunity to be happy at the present time, in the place where they are.

You don't have to be a genius to prove yourself. Even the smallest results can make you personally more confident, positive and joyful.



conclusions

Creativity helps people to open their soul, throw out feelings or create something new. Everyone can develop creativity in themselves, the main thing is that there is a great desire and a positive attitude.

It is necessary to get rid of conventions, look at the world with different eyes, perhaps try yourself in something new.

Remember - creativity is like a muscle. It needs to be regularly stimulated, pumped, developed. It is necessary to set goals of various scales and not give up if nothing worked the first time. Then at some point you yourself will be surprised how life has changed dramatically, and you will begin to realize that you have also brought something necessary and new to the world for people.

Faktrumu it became interesting what these out-of-the-box thinkers are, and with the help of scientists we have established some of their features.

1. Creative people are constantly in the clouds.

If you watch them in a noisy company, where everyone communicates and has fun, they will sit in the corner of the room, write something, draw, think about something. At school, such children may daydream in a geometry lesson while Maria Ivanovna explains the Pythagorean theorem. They often go into themselves, forgetting about everything in the world, and it is at such moments that brilliant thoughts are born in their head.

2. They are good observers and are good at analyzing what is going on around them.

Anything can serve as a source of new ideas for them: landscapes, buildings, elements of clothing or decor. Clinging to some trifle, such people will create a masterpiece, turn a word into a whole story.

3. There is no daily routine

Waking up at 7, having lunch at noon, having an afternoon snack at 16, having dinner at 19 and going to bed at 22 is definitely not the lot of creative people. They will work when they want, eat when the opportunity arises (or forget about it altogether), and sleep on anything and everything, even at a desk.

4. They love privacy

Many are afraid of loneliness, but not creative creatures. For them, this is a way to hide from the aggression of the outside world, from the formalities that prevail in society. Left alone with themselves, knowing that no one will disturb or drive away their muse, creative individuals can safely enjoy the present.

5. They always want to try something new.

Routine - what is it? Creative people have never heard of this. The monotonous rhythm of life - "work - home - sleep" - the worst thing that can happen to them. They need adrenaline, they need movement, new emotions.

6. They are not afraid to take risks.

To come up with something new, sometimes you need to do unexpected things, put everything on the line. Whatever it is: work, personal life. It is impossible to create something unusual without taking risks.

7. For them, failures and misses are a huge motivation.

Life, as we know, is black and white. Incredible success can be followed by massive failure. All ingenious inventors and artists someday have doubts, they are mistaken. But, if others would abandon the case halfway, without seeing intelligible results, creative people will not leave everything so easily. Of course, perseverance is characteristic not only of non-standard-minded individuals, but for the latter this quality is very important.

8. They do what inspires them.

The most important thing for creative people is to do what they really like. They don't need any recognition. And they will not come up with something from under the stick either. The freedom to create everything new and new, to work better and better - this is happiness.

9. Creative people often put themselves in the shoes of others.

After all, it's so interesting - to know someone else's philosophy, to look at the world from a different point of view. For a moment, starting to think like another person is a great way to develop yourself, as well as learn to understand others.

10. They notice everything.

These people have the ability to connect parts into a single whole. They see what others do not see, and use their observations to better understand the essence of this or that phenomenon.

Without such people, the world would be more boring and dreary. Creative personalities encourage us to develop, change us for the better. To say that they are 100% different from "uncreative" is wrong - they just have a desire to create something new. And everyone can and should be original and try to invent the uninvented.