In this article, Csikszentmihalyi notes 10 different traits that can be displayed by individuals that are creative. While some individuals display each trait or many traits, other people with a creative personality only openly display a few or one of these traits.
1. Creative people have a great deal of physical energy, but they're also often quiet and at rest.
Ludwig von Beethoven comes to mind when I read this statement because he took his time when he composed music. He enjoyed walking in the country and enjoying nature; this is exemplified by his Pastoral Symphony.
2. Creative people tend to be smart yet naive at the same time.
My good friend Sharon is an art teacher who is wonderful at what she does, but many times remains naive when it comes to some students' behaviors or performances in her classroom. This can be a good thing because she puts trust in children that other teachers do not.
3. Creative people combine playfulness and discipline, or responsibility and irresponsibility.
Giada De Laurentiis, a chef on Food Network, combines her playful personality which shines through the dishes she creates, with a certain discipline in that she diligently works off camera to create new recipes to share with her viewers.
4. Creative people alternate between imagination and fantasy, and a rooted sense of reality.
Walt Disney is a creative person who thought very much about fantasy as he created his characters, but also seemed rooted in reality as a businessman as he created Disneyland as a playground for adults and children alike.
5. Creative people tend to be both extroverted and introverted.
Without regards to politics and "sides" I think that President Obama is extroverted and introverted. He is the leader of our nation and is many times in the public eye, but he also seems to be a quiet family man who enjoys the company of his wife and daughters and relishes time spent alone with them.
6. Creative people are humble and proud at the same time.
This statement brings to mind my mom. She is a middle school teacher and is proud of her work, but never boasts about how well her students perform on tests.
7. Creative people, to an extent, escape rigid gender role stereotyping.
Duff Goldman, the owner of Charm City Cakes, takes on a role of baking exquisite cakes and does this in a way that far removes him from the stereotype that women should be bakers.
8. Creative people are both rebellious and conservative.
Igor Stravinsky, a Russian composer famous for his ballets was extremely rebellious in composing his "Rite of Spring". However, many of his other pieces were conservative and were composed within the "boundaries" of music of that time.
9. Most creative people are very passionate about their work, yet they can be extremely objective about it as well.
My dad is a stone mason and is passionate about creating fireplaces, chimneys, sidewalks, and other stone structures so that they are exactly what the homeowner desires or more. He is also critical of his own work and the work of other masons to help himself become better each time he works.
10. Creative people's openness and sensitivity often exposes them to suffering and pain, yet also to a great deal of enjoyment.
My sister is a flute performance major attending Florida State University in their Masters of Performance degree program. She exposes herself daily to the possibility of criticism when she practices knowing that she will perform those exact pieces in front of a larger audience than just a professor; however, she feels much joy when she performs well, knowing that the practice has paid off.
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