12 Traits of Creative People

Creative people enjoy learning new things, so their free time may include reading books or watching videos about topics they find interesting.

They often find it exciting or satisfying to take on the task of understanding concepts with which they do not already have familiarity.

Creative people may seek opportunities to learn new skills for personal reasons or to perform better.

They bring this curiosity to their work, often by asking questions.

Creative people are willing to play with various ideas until they find the right one. The sense of playfulness means that they have fun with this process, rather than taking it too seriously.

Sometimes the best ideas can develop through accidents or unintentionally.

As a result, they do not put pressure on themselves to get it right the first time

An open-minded person is willing to hear and try new ideas. Creative people want to hear all the possibilities and explore them further. They do not judge others' ideas or perspectives. Instead, they take the time to listen to others so they can better understand them.

They also are open to new experiences, so they enjoy trying various ways of performing tasks. Trying new things can often bring excitement into their days. This can be as simple as taking a different route on the way to work one day or they may choose to work with someone new rather than teaming up with their usual colleague.

Similar to open-mindedness, creative people often have a strong sense of flexibility. This trait supports their willingness to try new ideas and experiences. People with a strong sense of flexibility also feel more comfortable adapting to change. For example, they may find it easier to adjust their processes when they must switch from one using software to another or work with a new set of team members.

Flexibility also enables creative people to change their minds about ideas, which makes them more willing to admit when they are wrong.

Due to their open nature, creative people also tend to be sensitive. This sensitivity can help them in many areas of life, both personally and professionally.

Their sensitivity can also increase their awareness of the issues around them, which sometimes can cause them to care even more about solving them. For example, a creative person who works in product development may take a very empathetic, customer-centered approach. They want to ensure that the product solves customers' needs effectively and creates a positive experience.

Working independently allows creative people to embrace their personal freedom. They can make their own decisions on how to do things, without instruction or demands from others. Often, this independent nature also means creative people feel comfortable taking on challenges themselves. With their freedom, they can take as long as they need to understand the task and how to complete it. They may even see these challenges as opportunities to grow professionally and develop their skills.

Creative people are willing to take on the risks associated with trying new ideas. They do not know if a concept is a bad one until it is tested or examined—so all ideas pose the potential for solutions. Even if one fails, it can serve as a lesson on how to do better in the future. To them, not taking risks hinders innovation because it requires staying within one's comfort zone.

To increase tolerance for risk-taking, creative people think about the reward potential.

An intuitive person makes decisions based on feelings—creative people may tap into this ability more than other people. They trust in themselves to follow their hearts, rather than feeling restricted by more logical demands. Intuition may not always lead to the perfect solution, but it is a helpful tool when brainstorming and generating ideas.

Some individuals combine their intuition with logical reasoning. For example, they may solely use intuition to generate ideas for a new product, then start implementing logic to test its feasibility.

Creative people often put a lot of thought and care into their work. They look at an issue from all possible angles as they seek solutions. Then they test all the possible solutions until they find one that best meets their needs. At times, this may mean that they pay attention to details that seem minor to others.

Creative people often have an awareness of how much effort goes into their work. They understand that the perfect solution does not always come easily, so they must put in the work toward achieving it. When creative people have a passion for something, they will visualize their goals and commit themselves to attaining them. These goals can vary, whether they include completing a task or practicing an activity until they become skilled at it.

Despite their flexibility and openness in other areas, this awareness sometimes requires them to take a more disciplined approach.

Creative people often feel passionate about what they do, but they also understand the need to remain objective. While they strive to create the best work possible, they realize they cannot reach that goal right away. It often takes continued practice and editing.

For example, when a writer turns in the first draft of their novel, they realize it cannot be published immediately. They separate themselves from their work and listen to an editor's opinions on where to make improvements.

Creative people may often be energetic—this does not mean they appear hyperactive, but they put a lot of energy into their work. They often feel passionate about tasks and show their enthusiasm when performing them. When creative people put their full energy into something, it can lead them to focus on it for hours until they complete it. However, they always bring their passion, so the work does not necessarily feel like work. Instead, they may gain enjoyment or satisfaction from their experiences.