The Seven Habits of Highly Creative People
By: Deya Bhattacharya
Tags: Productivity, Creativity, Maice, Time Management

Photo by Ricardo Rocha on Unsplash

There are two myths that are often perpetuated about creative people. One — that they’re all “artsy”. Two — that they’re all unpredictable.

We tend to associate creativity with the arts, and for good reason. Art is by definition born out of creation, be it in the form of a sculpture, a poem, a symphony or a photograph, and people who craft those are undoubtedly creative. It’s wrong, however, to think of creativity as restricted to the arts. Creativity refers to the ability to come up with new things or new ways to look at things, and that’s a desirable quality to have regardless of which industry one works in. So those of us who come up with new business ideas, new processes, new product formulae and new people management methods are undoubtedly creative — as much as the sculptors and writers among us.

This brings me to the second myth, about unpredictability. We often think that creative people live life entirely as it comes — no schedules, no timings, just giving in to their creativity as and when it chooses to emerge. That’s wrong. While they certainly don’t live like automatons, they recognise the importance of gaining control over their creativity so that it can be channelised into the right pursuits, at the right time. Creativity has an inherent aversion towards too much control, but like any other human trait, it’s at its best when mastered. The most creative among us, therefore, display a number of healthy habits that help them use their creativity in the most efficient and enjoyable way, and which are listed as follows:

· They have a routine — yes, it’s tempting to think of creativity as an excuse to ditch discipline. Too many rules can suffocate the spontaneity of creativity, no doubt. But the most creative people are so because they set aside time specifically to be creative. They know that they have other things to do all day — jobs, chores, family time and socialising — so they manage their time such that everything else gets done, and they also have a chunk of time to devote wholeheartedly to what they do best.

· They know when to break the routine — when the next big idea hits, it’s often without warning and it’s likely to drift off without warning too. That’s why creative people don’t wait — when it’s truly essential to capture or expand on an idea, they put everything else aside and do so, even if it’s just a quick note or a sketch.

· They write things down — creative minds know the power of the pen. Be it lists or mind maps, bullet journals or paragraphs, creative people always have paper handy to capture ideas and random thoughts when they float by. Digital aids help, of course, but any creative mind will tell you that they’d far rather grab a notebook and pen than an iPad when inspiration strikes during the day.

· They get their sleep — those caffeine-fuelled 72-hour working marathons are few and far between, and for good reason. Sleep deprivation has multiple ill-effects, and one of them is causing the brain to become sluggish, which leads to low energy levels and reduced productivity in the short run as well as the long run. Creative people know when it’s time to call it a day and resume their work next morning — and the handy notes and diagrams they sketch will help preserve their ideas until it’s time to start again.

· They are curious about everything — creative minds get their fuel from exploring the world around them. Inspiration lurks everywhere — a nature documentary could trigger an idea for an environment-friendly innovation, and a news photo could spark the next war novel. Creative people know this, which is why they are constantly reading, learning, watching, listening and asking.

· They aren’t afraid of failure — not every great idea materialises into something lasting, and creative people are okay with that. Tying creativity to ultimate success will stifle the natural urge to try new things. What is important is to keep ideating and experimenting so that the perfect idea — the one that will translate into a finished creation — can come along.

· They know how to be happily un-creative — too much of anything is bad, and creativity is no exception. Highly creative people know this, which is why they know the importance of switching off their “creative mode” and indulging in simple, fun activities like watching Netflix shows, going for walks, meeting friends and cooking favourite meals. The mind, like the body, needs the occasional vacation. It’s the best protection against burnout.

If you’re a creative person who struggles to use that creativity optimally, try adopting the habits listed above, one by one. By bringing more method and organisation into your life, you’ll find that you have better control over how and when to engage in creative pursuits, while also allowing your creativity enough leeway to run free and play with ideas that may just develop into your next masterpiece.