Creative person - who is He? Five myths about creative people How to understand that you are a creative person.

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Talented people delight others. That is why they and the creative process itself are shrouded in many myths and legends. People who would like to create, but are not confident in their abilities, often think that talent is something innate. And you must first understand whether you have it before creating something. However, Daniel Coyle, in his book “The Talent Code,” cites scientific research proving that talent is the same skill that a person has practiced tens of thousands of times and eventually mastered it masterfully.

We are in website We sorted out the main stereotypes about creative people. Using the example of well-known writers, artists and musicians, we will show how masterpieces are actually created.

Myth 1. Hardship promotes creativity.

We can see what really happens to a man of art in a critical situation in the film “The Pianist.” It shows how Vladislav Szpilman, one of the most talented pianists of the 20th century, survived in Nazi-occupied Poland.

In short: a person lost his entire family, home and even the right to life. And these events did not at all contribute to his creative success.

A group of Austrian scientists conducted research proving that small doses of alcohol make a person more intelligent and original. To do this, you need to drink about 300 ml of beer or 100 ml of wine.

But increasing the dose slows down brain function and impairs mental functions. And with constant use, the effect of 300 ml will disappear. After all, a person will need a larger dose to become intoxicated, and there will be no positive effect on creativity.

What about creative geniuses? Many of them praised drinking in both life and work. However, they preferred to create sober. Stephen King wrote his quota of words during the day and turned to drinking in the evening.

Hemingway, although he loved to give advice in the style of “Write drunk, edit sober,” diligently sat down to write every day before lunch sober. Perhaps they would be happy to work while intoxicated, but the human brain does not allow even great creators to do this.

Myth 3. Drugs stimulate fantasy

Famous creative personalities loved drugs no less than alcohol. But, as with drinking, their addiction is shrouded in a halo of romanticization, and the ugly facts are erased.

Creative geniuses were at the same time ordinary dependent people and used illegal substances for the same reason as all drug addicts: to alleviate their condition. Some, like Hunter Thompson, have written artistically about their experiences with drugs. But these were not the author’s fantasies, but real hallucinations that all drug addicts experience, regardless of talent.

Simply put, drugs alone have not made a single person a creative genius. But they killed a lot of talented people.

Myth 4: A creative genius doesn’t need a regular job.

Most of the people we know became “geniuses” at a fairly mature age. Some were over 30, others over 40 or even older. All these years they (with rare exceptions) worked to support themselves, and were engaged in creativity in their spare time. For many, the work also served as a source of inspiration.

Some people think that a brilliant creator should be like Van Gogh, who lived in poverty and could not sell a single work. However, in the art world there are many more counter-examples that prove that talent can manifest itself in any conditions.

Salvador Dali custom created the Chupa Chups logo, by which this candy is still recognized all over the world. Jack Kerouac, after the success of On the Road, made money as a writer and had orders for books from several publishers. The fees did not stop him from creating several more major works.

The creative profession is in some respects the same as any other: it has its own buyer and the author receives money for it. Unclaimed creativity, appreciated much later, is rather an exception.

Myth 6. Geniuses create when inspired

For every genius, creativity is constant, systematic work. For example, JK Rowling developed the structure of the Harry Potter books, wrote the characters and actions of the characters for almost 10 years, and knew how it would all end by the time the first book was released.

Why is it difficult to create a masterpiece from inspiration? It's all about biology. When we learn something new, a neural network is created in the brain. If we regularly exercise - write, play the guitar or play football - the neurons become covered with a myelin sheath. And the more myelin around our chain of neurons, the easier and better it is for us to perform new activities.

But the shell thickens only through constant practice. That's why Constant training makes us more creative, free and original- give the opportunity to create. If the neural network is poorly trained, we do everything slowly and poorly and remain at the level of amateurs and amateurs.

Myth 7. Talent is innate

We already wrote above that neural networks are created and strengthened only through constant training. But it's not that simple. A recent study by psychologists from Princeton proves that training alone is not enough for success.

Ultimately, those who change the established approach and traditions become more successful. There are many examples: Salvador Dali, who became a preacher of surrealism, or the Beatles, who blew up the world of rock and roll. All these people were so different from everything that came before them that they instantly went down in history.

But there is a big “but” here: a creative approach requires a base. By the time he created his masterpieces and hits, Dali already knew how to draw, and the Beatles - how to play. None of them came up with anything worthwhile in childhood, although they had creative inclinations. To change traditions, you need to understand them, and this takes time.

Myth 8. Creativity is available only to people of art

Some people feel creative inclinations within themselves, but cannot realize them because they work in a “boring” job. But actually creativity is available in absolutely any profession. Teachers need to think original to get children interested in their subject. Even proper budget allocation requires some creativity if the budget is limited.

Original thinking is needed not only in art. We use it both in work and in life to find non-obvious solutions to difficult situations or simply to express ourselves.

Some people are not concerned about creativity as such, but about the bonuses that they will receive from it: fame, awards, money. We know a lot of people who really got it all thanks to talent. But what percentage do they make up of all talented and even brilliant people? Very small actually.

When we imagine ourselves in the shoes of those who have already achieved success, we make one of the common errors of systematic selection - the “survivor fallacy”. We pay attention to the winners, but ignore those who lost- remained unknown during his lifetime or was unable to support himself with creativity.

If you want to sober yourself up, read the biography of Kafka: the current literary genius was at one time an ordinary writer, worked as a clerk all his life, lived in one place and died at the age of 40. And he is far from the only genius with a boring biography. Talent is not a guarantee of a bright life; you shouldn’t hope for it.

He burned about 60 paintings.

There are many myths about talented people, but most of them are far from the truth when it comes to facts. The geniuses known to us expressed their abilities in completely different ways, had different inclinations, characters and lifestyles. All they have in common is a true passion for their work. What myths about talent prevent you from being creative?

Why do some people create masterpieces: paintings, music, clothes, technical innovations, while others can only use them? 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 a library or cinema. Novels, films, 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 the 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, assembly line production is not part of this, but 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 activity, 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, no creative person has ever wondered how he manages to achieve this or that result. What did you have to endure during this sometimes very long period of creation? What stages needed to be overcome? A psychologist from Britain at the end of the 20th century, Graham Wallace, was puzzled by these questions. 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 training period. A person who has no previous experience in a particular field cannot create something unique and valuable. First you have to study. This could be mathematics, writing, drawing, design. All previous experience becomes the basis. After which an idea, goal or task appears that needs to be solved, relying on previously acquired knowledge.

The second point is the moment of detachment. When long work or searches do not produce a positive result, you have to throw everything aside and forget. 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 inspiration comes. All the possibilities of creative people open up, and the truth comes out. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to achieve your goal. Not every task is within our power. The last point includes diagnosis and analysis of 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. of great interest to people. As experience shows, representatives of this type are usually distinguished by high activity, expressive behavior and cause conflicting reviews from others.

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

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

There are several character traits that are more characteristic of such individuals:

    curiosity;

    self-confidence;

    not too friendly attitude towards others.

    The latter is probably due to the fact that people think differently. They feel misunderstood, judged, or not accepted for who they are.

    Main differences

    If there is a very creative person on your list of friends, then you will definitely understand this. Such personalities often have their head in the clouds. They are true dreamers; even the most crazy idea seems like a reality for them. In addition, they look at the world as if under a microscope, noticing details in nature, architecture, and behavior.

    Many famous people who created masterpieces did not have a usual working day. There are no conventions for them, and the creative process occurs at a convenient time. Some people choose early morning, while for others, their potential awakens only at sunset. Such people do not often appear in public; they spend most of their time alone. It’s 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 risk-taking individuals. No failure can break faith in success.

    Modern research

    Previously, the opinions of scientists agreed that a person was either born creative or not. Today this myth is completely dispelled, and we can say with confidence that developing talents is available to everyone. And at any period of your life.

    With desire and perseverance, the basic qualities of a creative person can be developed in yourself. In the only case where it is impossible to achieve a positive result 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 if you combine logic and creativity. In the first case, the left hemisphere is involved in the work, in the second - the right. By activating as many parts of the brain as possible, you can achieve greater results.

    Work for a creative person

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

    What do you think is the best job for creative people? The answer is simple: any! Whatever you do: running a household or designing space stations, you can be resourceful and inventive, create and surprise.

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

    A good boss will support 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 traits that are inherent in such people.

    Firstly, they are all intellectuals, well-grounded in knowledge, but at the same time they are as naive as children. Secondly, despite their excellent imagination, they are well versed in the structure of this world and see everything clearly. Openness and communication skills are only external manifestations. Creativity very often hides in the depths of personality. Such people think a lot and conduct their own monologue.

    It is interesting that by creating something new, they, one might say, introduce some dissonance into the existing 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 activities, has created something impressive, something that has amazed those around him and changed his ideas about the world, then he wins true recognition. Such people are called geniuses. Of course, for them creation and creativity are life.

    But not always even the most creative people achieve results that can change the world. But sometimes they themselves do not strive for this. 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 open their souls, express their feelings, or create something new. Anyone can develop creativity, the main thing is to have 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 up, developed. It is necessary to set goals of various scales and not give up if nothing works out the first time. Then at some point you yourself will be surprised at how dramatically life has changed, and you will begin to realize that you also brought into the world something necessary and new for people.

Ecology of life. People: Neuroscience has proven that those with a creative mind have brains that work differently than other types of people.

Neuroscience has proven that those with a creative mind have brains that work differently than other types of people.

Science cannot yet explain exactly how all these processes occur, but creativity is believed to involve several cognitive processes. It is difficult to say that certain behavior is associated specifically with creativity.

However, there are some different traits, behaviors and social influences that are influenced by creativity.

Here are fourteen traits that characterize creative people.

1. They are attentive

Creative people carefully observe everything around them. They also love to watch people. Many creative people often carry a laptop, notepad, or camera with them to capture what they see. In many famous works, it is the details that fascinate us most.

For example, we see many nuances of human behavior in Jane Austen's novels. These small but captivating details breathe life into her works.

2. They're dreamy

When we were kids, most of us were told to stop dreaming. However, psychologists now claim that dreaming and wasting time are not the same thing.

Daydreaming is actually a complex brain process during which connections are made, insights occur, and new ideas are generated. When we dream, we can look at life differently, imagining what it would be like to be someone else or live in a different world. It can improve creative thought processes and lead us to new ideas.

3. They challenge the status quo

Creative people often don't want to accept things as they are. They want to change the world and feel important. They ask questions like “What if?” and “Why not?” This helps them reconsider the possibilities.

Take, for example, the First World War poet Wilfred Owen. He decided to challenge the belief that dying for one's country was a great thing and depicted the horrors of war.

4. They get into a creative flow regularly.

Creative people, when they are engaged at work, slip into “the zone.” Also known as "flow", this state is described in the book by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. The author explains how a state of flow is achieved when we are working on something we enjoy, as well as in moments when a situation challenges us. In a state of flow, creative work works out much better.

Creativity does not entail multitasking. Often you just need a distraction to get into the flow.

5. They have trouble finishing a project.

One of the downsides of having a creative mind is that finishing things can be a real challenge. The initial stages of a creative project seem exciting and new, but that excitement can fade over time, as with most romance novels!

They can easily give up on projects when they become more difficult and complex. Creative people may also get distracted by another brilliant idea.

6. They see structures and connections.

What sets creative people apart from others is the ability to make connections. Creativity is often about connecting things that others might view as completely unrelated.

By discovering structures and connections that others miss, creative people can create something new from what has been overlooked and underappreciated. They see opportunities where others don't and use it to create something original.

7. They feed their souls

We cannot continually create new things if we do not take the time to nourish our souls. Julia Cameron described it as "good filling". She says, “We must be mindful enough to consciously replenish our creative resources as we use them.”

Each person has different requirements for this filling. Often this concerns time spent alone. No matter how we spend our time or what we do about it, nourishing the soul is important for continued creative expression.

8. They are open

Openness is a key factor in creativity. Creative people are very curious and love new experiences.

Being open to new emotions, creative individuals are fascinated by new information, sensations and feelings. They constantly explore the external world and their internal one and remain open to new opportunities throughout their lives.

9. They are real

In a society that values ​​outward signs of success more than a rich inner life, creative individuals can fail. However, they are moving on a different course. The creative process is part of what makes them who they are.

As a result, creative individuals remain true to their vision of the world around them and follow their dreams, rather than strive for success and popularity.

10. They create in cycles

Creativity has its own natural rhythms that cannot be changed, just like the seasons. In the life of any creative person, rapid changes occur: periods of productivity are replaced by a desire to remain completely calm - and vice versa.

Creative projects begin with an incubation period, and only after a while are they ready to see the light of day. Creative people give in to these cycles instead of being obsessed with constant productivity.

11. They don't believe in themselves

Creative people suffer from the same doubts and self-confidence issues as everyone else. When an artist is struggling to find his place in life and win the affection of his audience, the lack of self-confidence can be felt more acutely. Even highly successful creatives often find it difficult to recognize the brilliance of their own work.

12. They are cheerful

Fortunately, despite the fact that creative people often doubt themselves, they remain cheerful. They should be like this. In creative work there are many projects that do not follow the rules and often fail. This is where cheerfulness is needed.

Creative people cannot afford to take failure personally. The best way to reconsider your point of view on this is to recognize that it is not a mistake, but a learning experience.

13. They follow their passions

Creative people are rarely motivated by material rewards. They find motivation in intrinsic rewards such as personal satisfaction, drive, and passion.

Artists create because something inside them demands it, and not out of a thirst for fame or wealth or a desire to please someone. Understanding that such intrinsic motivation leads to success can increase overall creativity.

14. They see life as an opportunity to express themselves.

Creativity is part of our self-expression. Everything we do comes from our own need for self-expression. Thus, our whole life can become a creative project.

While some people may be more creative than others, I think that creativity is a quality we all have. If you look at your own life, you will see that it is full of creativity. When we cook a meal, redecorate a room, choose equipment, or plant a garden, we are creating. The things we choose say a lot about us and are part of how we build our own lives. published

This article will help you understand creative people a little better and look into a world that only they can understand.

Creative people create problems. They are drug addicts. They are a little crazy and they usually dress very funny... or at least most of us think it is funny.

Creative people are very different. Of course, everyone is different, although many of us try to fit into a certain framework.

For many creative people, the very phrase “fitting into a box” contradicts the idea of ​​what a creative person should be. Most creative people are not crazy. They are simply misunderstood.

Of course, some of them literally go crazy, but this is only a small part. The vast majority of creative people simply do not like to lie about what a person really is.

1. Creative people see the world differently than others

At the same time, creative people want to share their vision and interpretation with the rest of the world. For them, the world is full of many meanings, shades of meaning and complexity, and it is also filled with opportunities that an ordinary person does not have.

Creative people know that the impossible is possible, because they understand that nothing in the world can be sure.

Seeing that the world is filled with endless possibilities, they want to leave their mark here. They want to add their touch to the most beautiful of works of art - life itself.

When you see the world differently than others, you stand out. Many people don't like people who stand out. For some reason they are afraid of “white crows”.

Others simply prefer inertia and constancy. They are afraid of what they do not know, they do not like the unknown and the misunderstandings associated with it.

2. They are often introverted and tend to be alone

This is not to say that creative individuals do not love all the people around them. They simply spend more time alone because it allows them to focus on what interests them. They can think, dream, plan and create things.

Creative individuals must constantly be in the creative process. Otherwise, their creative itch will be simply unbearable. Yes, they can be sincerely devoted to their friends, but in the same way they rush around with their ideas and creative products - sometimes this even develops into obsession

Who can blame them, on the other hand? When you have a job, you have to do it, be productive and meet deadlines. There will always be time for socialization.

The reason creative people often do well in competition is not because they are smarter than their competitors. The thing is that they have a higher level of work ethics.

Creative individuals are used to being able to navigate a project perfectly, they are used to the fact that it literally absorbs them. It's hard to compete with this.

3. They don't measure their abilities the way others do.

They cannot always boast of success at school or at work (at work that most people consider normal). It would be better for them to create than to study and work. On the other hand, for whom not?

The whole difference is that creative people are literally obsessed with their creativity. Their passion cannot be hidden.

If you are a creative person, you almost certainly find it difficult to do monotonous work. When you are a creator by nature, you live in joyful anticipation, constantly trying to discover and create something new, trying yourself in different areas.

Creative people go to school and then to work just like everyone else, but only because they have to. They tend to settle for imperfect jobs until they find something more interesting for themselves in terms of self-development.

4. They are more emotional

For them, life is louder and brighter than for most people. But this is not because creative people receive more information about the world, they just pay more attention to it.

Creative people may be introverted, but they spend just as much time “wandering within” as they do in the outside world.

They pay great attention to detail and allow these small details to have a much stronger impact on them than on the average (not so creative) person.

For them, the world is filled with meaning. For many of us, the surrounding reality has blurry outlines. For creative people, peace is everything.

Of course, sometimes such individuals get lost in their “travels.” In general, being a creative person sometimes means having problems with the surrounding reality.

5. They are dreamers

People don't understand dreamers because they always dream of change. About a better world, about a better reality, about a better future. They can imagine the unimaginable and often believe that they can make the impossible possible.

If you like everything to be in its place, you will be scared by the chaos that always accompanies a creative person. The life of a creator is defined by change. Especially the changes that he himself creates.

People have always been and will always be afraid of dreamers. We prefer to stop there and be “average”. We do not like “white crows” and thinkers. We are a nation that is doing everything we can to build an established middle class.

It will be quite fun to fail this mission.

According to Michael Gelb, everyone can be creative and, without reinventing the wheel, create something new and interesting.

Today we will talk about the character of creative people. This question is being studied by psychology professor Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. This is one of the most authoritative experts in the field of business psychology, known primarily for the theory of flow. Csikszentmihalyi is the author of several best-selling books, including Creativity: The Work and Lives of 91 Eminent People (1996). In it, he describes 10 paradoxical traits inherent in creative individuals, which he was able to identify over 30 years of his work.

Do you want to know what distinguishes a creator from an ordinary person? Then welcome to cat.

1. Strong, but not trained

A creative person has quite a lot of physical energy, but, unfortunately, it is not spent much. After all, the work of a creator is, first of all, the work of his brain. Concentrating exclusively on intellectual work makes a healthy body look weak. This is why it is important to maintain a balance between mind and body.

2. Smart but naive

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi recognizes that creative people are smart, they are distinguished by flexibility and originality of thinking, and the ability to hear different points of view. But almost everyone naively believes that creativity can be measured through creative tests and developed through specialized seminars.

3. Playful but selfless

Creative people love to relax. As they say, nothing hedonistic is alien to them. But when it comes to the “birth” of a new project, they are able to work like obsessed people. For example, the Italian artist Paolo Uccello, when developing his famous “theory of perspective,” did not sleep the whole night and walked from corner to corner.

Csikszentmihalyi notes that most creators work late into the night and nothing can stop them.

4. Dreamers, but realists

This is the mystery of creative people. They are great inventors, they can come up with anything, but most of them look at life quite realistically. Apparently, William Ward was right when he said that a pessimist complains about the wind, an optimist hopes for a change in the weather, and a realist sets sail.

5. Extroverted but reserved

We are used to dividing people into extroverts and introverts. It is believed that the former are sociable, easily get along with people, have charisma, etc. And the latter, on the contrary, live in their inner world, where only the “chosen ones” are allowed.

But, according to Csikszentmihalyi's observations, truly creative people combine both of these traits. In public they are the life of the party, but among loved ones they are quiet and taciturn.

6. Modest but proud

Creative people are usually very modest. They do not expect praise - the process of creating something new is important to them. However, at the same time, they will not let anyone down and will not allow their own dignity to be humiliated.

7. Masculine but feminine

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi argues that creative people often do not conform to their gender roles. Thus, female creators are often distinguished by their tough character, while men, on the contrary, are sensuality and sentimentality.

8. Rebels but conservatives

What is creativity? That's right - creating something new. In this regard, creative people are often known as rebels, since their ideas go beyond the norm. But at the same time, many of them find it difficult to part with their ossified habits, change roles, etc.

9. Passionate but objective

All creative people are passionate about their work. It would seem that passion should blind, but truly creative people always look at what they do objectively.

Csikszentmihalyi emphasizes that a creative person must adequately perceive criticism, and also separate his “I” from his work.

10. Open but happy

One of Leonardo da Vinci's creative secrets was “sensual acuity.” Creators are always open to new experiences, even if they cause them pain. At the same time, internally these are harmonious, happy people, since they know how to enjoy the creative process itself.

As you can see, creative people are truly full of contradictions. But as Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi says, it is these paradoxes that help them adapt to almost any situation, adapting everything around them to achieve their goals.

What paradoxical traits of creative people do you know?



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