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Creativity is a powerful asset that does not only come in handy for the artistic folk. Creative thinking is also a valuable card in the workplace. Employers are looking for people with innovative ideas who can keep things fresh and relevant.
Creative thinkers tend to be flexible, open-minded, and action-takers. They give solutions to sticky situations and enjoy a sense of playfulness in their lives. Unfortunately, the modern automatized way of living has stripped us of our creativity, which is inherently part of human nature.
In this article, we are deep-diving into the characteristics of creative thinking and learning how to cultivate more creativity in our lives. Are you ready to check out of the robot-like thinking and reclaim your creativity? Let’s go!
What Are The Characteristics Of Creative Thinking
Let’s unpack eleven special characteristics of creative thinking that give creative thinkers a higher ground in work and personal life.
Innovation
Creative thinking is innovative. It breaks free from the conventional status quo and dares to explore uncharted territories. Creative thinkers challenge the existing paradigms and experiment with their ideas. They tend to take risks following their vision to create novel solutions.
Curiosity
Creative thinking is inherently curious because it thrives on the deep-seated desire to explore and understand the world around us. Curiosity is the driving force behind all creative endeavors, as it compels individuals to question, observe, and seek out new experiences.
Creative thinkers possess an insatiable appetite for knowledge and discovery, constantly navigating their imagination and questioning the boundaries of what’s possible.
Playfulness
A catalyst of creative thinking is imagination, which is fueled by play and the other way around. Playfulness infuses a sense of joy, spontaneity, and freedom in the creative process. This allows creatives to overcome their limiting beliefs and fear of failure or rejection and tap into their creative force.
Defying Social Norms
Creative thinking claims freedom from societal expectations and norms, allowing creative thinkers to explore alternative paths and express themselves authentically. By defying social restraints and judgment, creative thinkers have space for experimentation, risk-taking, and self-expression without fearing criticism or rejection.
Diversity
Diversity is the muse of creativity. Creative thinking draws inspiration from individuals of different backgrounds, cultures, and disciplines. The creative process is enriched by embracing the insights of diverse viewpoints and experiences.
Flexibility and Adaptability
Creativity, by definition, is described by the experimentation process and the flow of new ideas and perspectives. Creative thinkers are open-minded and curious people who understand that the current doesn’t always flow one way. When challenges arise, they are prepared to pivot and adapt to the new circumstances by doing what they know best: explore and innovate.
Persistence
Creative thinking is characterized by persistence. It takes a lot of determination to adamantly support an out-of-the-box idea or effort that may defy existing paradigms. Creative thinkers are not disheartened when their innovative ideas are rejected, as they understand they are ahead of their time.
Collaboration
In the book Show Your Work, best-selling author Austin Kleon defies the idea of the lonely genius. We falsely believe that the best ideas, works of art, etc., are produced by extraordinary minds who work in their solitude.
However, Austin argues that there is no such thing as an “original” original idea. We are all influenced by the web of creative ideas all around us, which leads us to the next characteristic of creative thinking: collaboration. Creativity thrives in collaborative environments where ideas can be collectively shared, refined, and built upon.
Intuition
Contrary to logic, creative thinking often stems from the inner wisdom and the subconscious mind. Creative thinkers often rely on their intuition and gut instincts to guide their decision-making. They trust their inner voice and are willing to take intuitive risks.
Sensitivity
Creative individuals are often highly sensitive to their surroundings, emotions, and sensory experiences. They notice subtle details and patterns others may overlook, which inspires and fuels their creativity. Creative thinkers are often highly empathetic, picking up and connecting with the emotions and experiences of others, which makes their ideas relatable and relevant.
Vision
Creative thinking draws inspiration from a clear vision. Creative thinkers are highly aware of their goals, aspirations, and creative projects. Their vision is like their purpose; it generates their passion, focus, and determination.
What Are The 5 Stages Of Creative Thinking?
The creative process is unique for everyone. However, there is a general outline of five stages that every creative (more or less) follows subconsciously. They might manifest differently for everyone, but they are inherently the same.
Here are the five stages of the creative thinking process:
- Preparation: The first stage of the creative process involves gathering information, exploring ideas, and preparing the ground for inspiration. During this stage, creative thinkers dive deep into research, brainstorming, and exploration, gathering the necessary insights and resources.
- Incubation: In the incubation stage, the conscious mind takes a break from the active thinking and problem-solving role. It seems like we are giving the creative idea a rest when we are actually allowing it to marinate in the subconscious mind.
- Illumination: The illumination stage represents the light bulb moment you reach the breakthrough. After gathering all the information you need and subconsciously incubating it, there is an unexpected moment of insight when all the puzzle pieces fall into place.
- Evaluation: This is the stage where the conscious mind takes back control to refine, analyze, and evaluate the ideas. The creative thinkers will put their ideas to the test to assess their viability, competitiveness, and relevance. They will evaluate ways to actualize their ideas and ensure they align with their values and objectives.
- Verification: In the final stage, your idea has crossed from the design to the production line. It is time to employ the means you possess to give it shape and put it out to the world. During the verification stage, you will also evaluate the efficacy and impact of your idea.
How To Cultivate More Creative Thinking
From a very young age, we are conditioned to value logic more than creativity. Children are blessed with boundless imagination. Yet, can you recall how often your ideas were dismissed as childlike? How many times were you told to quit playing and grow up?
Even in school, we were forced to sit for hours in class with little to no creative stimuli. We were rarely prompted to think for ourselves. Instead, we had to memorize a huge amount of information by heart and compete with each other for grades.
Is there a way to cultivate the characteristics of creative thinking during your adult life, or did you miss the chance to board the train?
Well, some people are naturally more inclined to creativity than others. However, that doesn’t mean that creativity is a fixed asset; either you have it or you don’t. Here are some practices that can help you reconnect with your inner child and let creativity flow into your life.
- Mind Mapping: Using visual diagrams to brainstorm ideas and connections allows for non-linear thinking and creative exploration.
- Free Writing: Set aside time to write without judgment or constraints, allowing ideas to flow freely and uncovering unexpected insights.
- Brainstorming Sessions: Collaborate with others to generate various ideas and perspectives, fostering creativity through collective inspiration.
- Nature Walks: Take walks in natural settings to stimulate the senses and inspire creativity, connecting with the beauty and rhythm of the natural world.
- Artistic Expression: Engage in creative activities such as drawing, painting, or sculpting to unleash self-expression and tap into the subconscious mind.
- Problem-Solving Games: Play games and puzzles that challenge the mind and encourage lateral thinking, fostering creative problem-solving skills.
- Divergent Thinking Exercises: Practice generating multiple solutions to a problem or question, exploring different possibilities and perspectives.
- Journaling: Keep a journal to record thoughts, ideas, and reflections, providing a space for introspection and creative exploration.
- Mindfulness Practices: Cultivate present-moment awareness through meditation, deep breathing, or yoga, quieting the mind and fostering clarity and insight.
- Continuous Learning: Seek out new experiences, knowledge, and skills to expand your horizons and fuel your creativity, embracing a lifelong journey of discovery and growth.
Conclusion
As we navigate the demands of modern life, it’s often too easy to lose touch with our creative sides. Yet, it’s never too late to reclaim that inner spark and allow creativity to flourish in our lives once again.
Let the characteristics of creative thinking shake up your life. Whether you lean towards the playful and artistic side of creative thinking or its innovative and problem-solving aspect, you’re in for the win.
Embark on this journey of self-discovery and creativity to reconnect with your inner child and embrace the joy of creative expression.