10 Signs of a Creative Person

Creative minds tend to be energetic (but focused, playful (but disciplined), and realistic (but imaginative). Such traits seem like contradictions, but according to one prominent psychologist, it’s this exact contrast that helps inspire the most creative of minds.Having a creative mind allows us to do new and exciting things and engage ourselves in a way that takes us one step closer to reaching our full potential. But what does it take to be a creative person? Are some people born creative, or is it askill that you can developmuch like a muscle?In his 1996 book “Creativity: The Work and Lives of 91 Eminent People,” psychologistMihaly Csikszentmihalyisuggested that “of all human activities, creativity comes closest to providing the fulfillment we all hope to get in our lives.“Csikszentmihalyi proposed that creative people possess 10 antithetical traits that interact with each other in complex ways. In other words, many of these traits are opposites, yet they work together to inspire greater creativity. These dichotomous traits include:Intelligence and naiveteExtroversion and introversionPride and modestyConscientiousness and rebelliousnessPassion and objectivityIncorporating these creative practices into your daily life may help you increase your creative potential.

Having a creative mind allows us to do new and exciting things and engage ourselves in a way that takes us one step closer to reaching our full potential. But what does it take to be a creative person? Are some people born creative, or is it askill that you can developmuch like a muscle?

In his 1996 book “Creativity: The Work and Lives of 91 Eminent People,” psychologistMihaly Csikszentmihalyisuggested that “of all human activities, creativity comes closest to providing the fulfillment we all hope to get in our lives.”

Csikszentmihalyi proposed that creative people possess 10 antithetical traits that interact with each other in complex ways. In other words, many of these traits are opposites, yet they work together to inspire greater creativity. These dichotomous traits include:Intelligence and naiveteExtroversion and introversionPride and modestyConscientiousness and rebelliousnessPassion and objectivityIncorporating these creative practices into your daily life may help you increase your creative potential.

Incorporating these creative practices into your daily life may help you increase your creative potential.

1The Creative Mind Is Energetic and FocusedCreative people are engergetic, both physically and mentally. They can spend hours working on a single task that holds theirattention, yet seem to remain enthusiastic all the while.Having a creative mind doesn’t mean always engaging in a focused creative or artistic task. It also means taking time to refill your creativity reservoir.Creative and artistic people are imaginative, curious, and spend a great deal of time at rest, quietly reflecting on the topics that hold their interest and allowing their minds to wander.

The Creative Mind Is Energetic and FocusedCreative people are engergetic, both physically and mentally. They can spend hours working on a single task that holds theirattention, yet seem to remain enthusiastic all the while.Having a creative mind doesn’t mean always engaging in a focused creative or artistic task. It also means taking time to refill your creativity reservoir.Creative and artistic people are imaginative, curious, and spend a great deal of time at rest, quietly reflecting on the topics that hold their interest and allowing their minds to wander.

The Creative Mind Is Energetic and Focused

Creative people are engergetic, both physically and mentally. They can spend hours working on a single task that holds theirattention, yet seem to remain enthusiastic all the while.

Having a creative mind doesn’t mean always engaging in a focused creative or artistic task. It also means taking time to refill your creativity reservoir.

Creative and artistic people are imaginative, curious, and spend a great deal of time at rest, quietly reflecting on the topics that hold their interest and allowing their minds to wander.

2A Creative Person Is Smart and NaïveCreative people tend to be smart, but research has shown that having a veryhigh IQ is not necessarily correlatedwith higher levels of creative achievement—personality traits are important, too.InLewis Terman’slongitudinal study of gifted children, children with high IQs were shown to do better in life overall, but those withvery high IQweren’t necessarily creative geniuses. Very few of those involved in the study demonstrated high levels of artistic achievement later in life.Csikszentmihalyi noted that studies suggest a cutoff point around 120.While having higher-than-average intelligence might contribute to creativity, an IQ over 120 does not necessarily lead to greater creativity.Balancing creativity with practical knowledge means knowing which ideas to pursue and which to rework or abandon. This skill set is an important aspect of being a creative person.Csikszentmihalyi also believed that creative people must be capable of looking at things in fresh, even naïve, ways, so they can maintain their sense of wonder and curiosity.

A Creative Person Is Smart and NaïveCreative people tend to be smart, but research has shown that having a veryhigh IQ is not necessarily correlatedwith higher levels of creative achievement—personality traits are important, too.InLewis Terman’slongitudinal study of gifted children, children with high IQs were shown to do better in life overall, but those withvery high IQweren’t necessarily creative geniuses. Very few of those involved in the study demonstrated high levels of artistic achievement later in life.Csikszentmihalyi noted that studies suggest a cutoff point around 120.While having higher-than-average intelligence might contribute to creativity, an IQ over 120 does not necessarily lead to greater creativity.Balancing creativity with practical knowledge means knowing which ideas to pursue and which to rework or abandon. This skill set is an important aspect of being a creative person.Csikszentmihalyi also believed that creative people must be capable of looking at things in fresh, even naïve, ways, so they can maintain their sense of wonder and curiosity.

A Creative Person Is Smart and Naïve

Creative people tend to be smart, but research has shown that having a veryhigh IQ is not necessarily correlatedwith higher levels of creative achievement—personality traits are important, too.

InLewis Terman’slongitudinal study of gifted children, children with high IQs were shown to do better in life overall, but those withvery high IQweren’t necessarily creative geniuses. Very few of those involved in the study demonstrated high levels of artistic achievement later in life.

Csikszentmihalyi noted that studies suggest a cutoff point around 120.While having higher-than-average intelligence might contribute to creativity, an IQ over 120 does not necessarily lead to greater creativity.

Balancing creativity with practical knowledge means knowing which ideas to pursue and which to rework or abandon. This skill set is an important aspect of being a creative person.

Csikszentmihalyi also believed that creative people must be capable of looking at things in fresh, even naïve, ways, so they can maintain their sense of wonder and curiosity.

The Creative Mind Is Playful and Disciplined

When working on a project, creative people tend to exhibit determination and doggedness. They maywork for hours on something, often staying up late into the night until they are satisfied with their work.

Consider what you would think if you met an artist. Their life may sound exciting, romantic, and glamorous. However, being a successful artist is also a lot of work, which many people may fail to see. A creative person realizes that true creativity involves combining both fun and hard work.

An artistic or creative person may come across as carefree, however they can also be incredibly hardworking and driven when it comes to pursuing their passion.

4A Creative Person Is Realistic and ImaginativeCreative people like to daydream and imagine the possibilities and wonders of the world. They can immerse themselves in imagination and fantasy, yet remain grounded enough to turn their daydreams into reality.They are often described as dreamers, but that doesn’t mean that they live with their heads in the clouds.Creative types, ranging from scientists to artists and musicians, can come up with imaginative solutions to real-world issues. While others may view their ideas as mere fantasies or as irrelevant, those with creative minds find practical ways to turn their notions into reality.

A Creative Person Is Realistic and ImaginativeCreative people like to daydream and imagine the possibilities and wonders of the world. They can immerse themselves in imagination and fantasy, yet remain grounded enough to turn their daydreams into reality.They are often described as dreamers, but that doesn’t mean that they live with their heads in the clouds.Creative types, ranging from scientists to artists and musicians, can come up with imaginative solutions to real-world issues. While others may view their ideas as mere fantasies or as irrelevant, those with creative minds find practical ways to turn their notions into reality.

A Creative Person Is Realistic and Imaginative

Creative people like to daydream and imagine the possibilities and wonders of the world. They can immerse themselves in imagination and fantasy, yet remain grounded enough to turn their daydreams into reality.

They are often described as dreamers, but that doesn’t mean that they live with their heads in the clouds.

Creative types, ranging from scientists to artists and musicians, can come up with imaginative solutions to real-world issues. While others may view their ideas as mere fantasies or as irrelevant, those with creative minds find practical ways to turn their notions into reality.

5The Creative Mind Is Extroverted and IntrovertedWhile we often fall into the trap of categorizing people as solelyextrovertedorintroverted, Csikszentmihalyi suggested that creativity requires combining both of these personality types.He believes that creative people are both extroverted and introverted. While we often think of people as either one or the other, evidence suggests that most people are actually somewhere in the middle (akaambiverts). These traits are alsoremarkably stable.Creative people tend to exhibit characteristics of both introversion and extraversion at the same time.They can be both gregarious and reticent, sociable and quiet. Interacting with others can generate ideas and inspiration, and retreating to a quiet place allows creative individuals to fully explore these sources of creativity.

The Creative Mind Is Extroverted and IntrovertedWhile we often fall into the trap of categorizing people as solelyextrovertedorintroverted, Csikszentmihalyi suggested that creativity requires combining both of these personality types.He believes that creative people are both extroverted and introverted. While we often think of people as either one or the other, evidence suggests that most people are actually somewhere in the middle (akaambiverts). These traits are alsoremarkably stable.Creative people tend to exhibit characteristics of both introversion and extraversion at the same time.They can be both gregarious and reticent, sociable and quiet. Interacting with others can generate ideas and inspiration, and retreating to a quiet place allows creative individuals to fully explore these sources of creativity.

The Creative Mind Is Extroverted and Introverted

While we often fall into the trap of categorizing people as solelyextrovertedorintroverted, Csikszentmihalyi suggested that creativity requires combining both of these personality types.

He believes that creative people are both extroverted and introverted. While we often think of people as either one or the other, evidence suggests that most people are actually somewhere in the middle (akaambiverts). These traits are alsoremarkably stable.

Creative people tend to exhibit characteristics of both introversion and extraversion at the same time.

They can be both gregarious and reticent, sociable and quiet. Interacting with others can generate ideas and inspiration, and retreating to a quiet place allows creative individuals to fully explore these sources of creativity.

6A Creative Person Is Proud and ModestHighly creative people tend to be proud of their achievements, yet they are also aware of their limitations.They may have tremendous respect for others who work in their field and the influence that those previous innovations have had on their work. While they can see that their work is often remarkable in comparison to that of others, they don’t become overly focused on that fact.Csikszentmihalyi noted that creative people are often so focused on their next idea or project that they don’t fixate on their past achievements.

A Creative Person Is Proud and ModestHighly creative people tend to be proud of their achievements, yet they are also aware of their limitations.They may have tremendous respect for others who work in their field and the influence that those previous innovations have had on their work. While they can see that their work is often remarkable in comparison to that of others, they don’t become overly focused on that fact.Csikszentmihalyi noted that creative people are often so focused on their next idea or project that they don’t fixate on their past achievements.

A Creative Person Is Proud and Modest

Highly creative people tend to be proud of their achievements, yet they are also aware of their limitations.

They may have tremendous respect for others who work in their field and the influence that those previous innovations have had on their work. While they can see that their work is often remarkable in comparison to that of others, they don’t become overly focused on that fact.

Csikszentmihalyi noted that creative people are often so focused on their next idea or project that they don’t fixate on their past achievements.

7The Creative Mind Is Masculine and FeminineCsikszentmihalyi believed that creative individuals resist, to at least some degree, therigid gender stereotypes and rolesthat society often tries to enforce. Creative girls and women tend to be more dominant than other girls and women, he suggests, while creative boys and men tend to be lessaggressiveand more sensitive than other men.Creative people tend to be able to embrace both their masculine and feminine sides. This means they can simultaneously be sensitive and nurturing (often labeled as feminine), as well as assertive and dominant (often labeled as masculine).

The Creative Mind Is Masculine and FeminineCsikszentmihalyi believed that creative individuals resist, to at least some degree, therigid gender stereotypes and rolesthat society often tries to enforce. Creative girls and women tend to be more dominant than other girls and women, he suggests, while creative boys and men tend to be lessaggressiveand more sensitive than other men.Creative people tend to be able to embrace both their masculine and feminine sides. This means they can simultaneously be sensitive and nurturing (often labeled as feminine), as well as assertive and dominant (often labeled as masculine).

The Creative Mind Is Masculine and Feminine

Csikszentmihalyi believed that creative individuals resist, to at least some degree, therigid gender stereotypes and rolesthat society often tries to enforce. Creative girls and women tend to be more dominant than other girls and women, he suggests, while creative boys and men tend to be lessaggressiveand more sensitive than other men.

Creative people tend to be able to embrace both their masculine and feminine sides. This means they can simultaneously be sensitive and nurturing (often labeled as feminine), as well as assertive and dominant (often labeled as masculine).

A Creative Person Is Conservative and Rebellious

Sometimes creativity requires being both traditional and iconoclastic.

This means being able to appreciate and even embrace the past as a source of knowledge while still seeking improved ways of creating new solutions. Creative people can be conservative in many ways, yet they know that innovation sometimes means taking risks.

9The Creative Mind Is Passionate and ObjectiveCreative people don’t just enjoy their work—they passionately love what they do. But, just being passionate about something does not necessarily lead to great work. Imagine a writer so in love with their writing that they are unwilling to edit a single sentence. Creative people are both able to enjoy their work, while also critically examining it.Creative people are devoted to their work, but they are also able to be objective about it. They are willing to take critiques from others, which allows them to separate themselves from their work and find areas that need improvement.

The Creative Mind Is Passionate and ObjectiveCreative people don’t just enjoy their work—they passionately love what they do. But, just being passionate about something does not necessarily lead to great work. Imagine a writer so in love with their writing that they are unwilling to edit a single sentence. Creative people are both able to enjoy their work, while also critically examining it.Creative people are devoted to their work, but they are also able to be objective about it. They are willing to take critiques from others, which allows them to separate themselves from their work and find areas that need improvement.

The Creative Mind Is Passionate and Objective

Creative people don’t just enjoy their work—they passionately love what they do. But, just being passionate about something does not necessarily lead to great work. Imagine a writer so in love with their writing that they are unwilling to edit a single sentence. Creative people are both able to enjoy their work, while also critically examining it.

Creative people are devoted to their work, but they are also able to be objective about it. They are willing to take critiques from others, which allows them to separate themselves from their work and find areas that need improvement.

10A Creative Person Is Sensitive and JoyfulCsikszentmihalyi suggested that creative people tend to be more open and sensitive,characteristicsthat can bring both rewards and pains. The act of creating something, coming up with new ideas, and taking risks often opens people up to criticism and even scorn. It can be painful, even devastating, to devote years to something only to have it rejected, ignored, or ridiculed.Being opento the creative experience is also a source of great joy. It can bring tremendous happiness, and many creative people believe that such feelings are well worth the trade-off for any possible pain.

A Creative Person Is Sensitive and JoyfulCsikszentmihalyi suggested that creative people tend to be more open and sensitive,characteristicsthat can bring both rewards and pains. The act of creating something, coming up with new ideas, and taking risks often opens people up to criticism and even scorn. It can be painful, even devastating, to devote years to something only to have it rejected, ignored, or ridiculed.Being opento the creative experience is also a source of great joy. It can bring tremendous happiness, and many creative people believe that such feelings are well worth the trade-off for any possible pain.

A Creative Person Is Sensitive and Joyful

Csikszentmihalyi suggested that creative people tend to be more open and sensitive,characteristicsthat can bring both rewards and pains. The act of creating something, coming up with new ideas, and taking risks often opens people up to criticism and even scorn. It can be painful, even devastating, to devote years to something only to have it rejected, ignored, or ridiculed.

Being opento the creative experience is also a source of great joy. It can bring tremendous happiness, and many creative people believe that such feelings are well worth the trade-off for any possible pain.

Frequently Asked QuestionsA person with a creative mind might be called innovative, imaginative, trailblazing, groundbreaking, pioneering, or visionary.Five common traits of creative people include being high-energy, disciplined, imaginative, passionate, and sensitive.Signs that you might have a creative mind include:Beingopen-mindedBeing disciplinedA strong sense of independenceA willingness to take risksAn ability to adapt to changing situationsA sense of playfulnessCuriosity and a love of learning new thingsPractice mindfulness:Mindfulnesscan help you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings at the moment and build self-awareness, which can improve creativity.Let your mind wander: Allowing your mind to wander and engaging in daydreaming can lead to fresh ways of thinkingSeek creativity: Read novels, watch movies, and visit art museums. Experiencing other people’s creativity can often inspire your own sense of creative thinkingMinimize distractions: Look for ways to reduce distractions in order to free up your mind to focus on creative thoughts

Frequently Asked Questions

A person with a creative mind might be called innovative, imaginative, trailblazing, groundbreaking, pioneering, or visionary.

Five common traits of creative people include being high-energy, disciplined, imaginative, passionate, and sensitive.

Signs that you might have a creative mind include:Beingopen-mindedBeing disciplinedA strong sense of independenceA willingness to take risksAn ability to adapt to changing situationsA sense of playfulnessCuriosity and a love of learning new things

Signs that you might have a creative mind include:

Practice mindfulness:Mindfulnesscan help you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings at the moment and build self-awareness, which can improve creativity.Let your mind wander: Allowing your mind to wander and engaging in daydreaming can lead to fresh ways of thinkingSeek creativity: Read novels, watch movies, and visit art museums. Experiencing other people’s creativity can often inspire your own sense of creative thinkingMinimize distractions: Look for ways to reduce distractions in order to free up your mind to focus on creative thoughts

4 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Csikszentmihalyi M.Creativity: the Work and Lives of 91 Eminent People. New York: HarperCollins; 1996.Beaty RE, Benedek M, Wilkins RW, et al.Creativity and the default network: A functional connectivity analysis of the creative brain at rest.Neuropsychologia. 2014;64:92-98. doi:10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2014.09.019Frith E, Elbich DB, Christensen AP, et al.Intelligence and creativity share a common cognitive and neural basis.J Exp Psychol Gen. 2021;150(4):609-632. doi:10.1037/xge0000958Holahan CK.Achievement across the life span: Perspectives from the Terman study of the gifted.Gifted Child Quarterly. 2021;65(2):185-195. doi:10.1177/0016986220934401

4 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Csikszentmihalyi M.Creativity: the Work and Lives of 91 Eminent People. New York: HarperCollins; 1996.Beaty RE, Benedek M, Wilkins RW, et al.Creativity and the default network: A functional connectivity analysis of the creative brain at rest.Neuropsychologia. 2014;64:92-98. doi:10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2014.09.019Frith E, Elbich DB, Christensen AP, et al.Intelligence and creativity share a common cognitive and neural basis.J Exp Psychol Gen. 2021;150(4):609-632. doi:10.1037/xge0000958Holahan CK.Achievement across the life span: Perspectives from the Terman study of the gifted.Gifted Child Quarterly. 2021;65(2):185-195. doi:10.1177/0016986220934401

Csikszentmihalyi M.Creativity: the Work and Lives of 91 Eminent People. New York: HarperCollins; 1996.Beaty RE, Benedek M, Wilkins RW, et al.Creativity and the default network: A functional connectivity analysis of the creative brain at rest.Neuropsychologia. 2014;64:92-98. doi:10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2014.09.019Frith E, Elbich DB, Christensen AP, et al.Intelligence and creativity share a common cognitive and neural basis.J Exp Psychol Gen. 2021;150(4):609-632. doi:10.1037/xge0000958Holahan CK.Achievement across the life span: Perspectives from the Terman study of the gifted.Gifted Child Quarterly. 2021;65(2):185-195. doi:10.1177/0016986220934401

Csikszentmihalyi M.Creativity: the Work and Lives of 91 Eminent People. New York: HarperCollins; 1996.

Beaty RE, Benedek M, Wilkins RW, et al.Creativity and the default network: A functional connectivity analysis of the creative brain at rest.Neuropsychologia. 2014;64:92-98. doi:10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2014.09.019

Frith E, Elbich DB, Christensen AP, et al.Intelligence and creativity share a common cognitive and neural basis.J Exp Psychol Gen. 2021;150(4):609-632. doi:10.1037/xge0000958

Holahan CK.Achievement across the life span: Perspectives from the Terman study of the gifted.Gifted Child Quarterly. 2021;65(2):185-195. doi:10.1177/0016986220934401

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The Creative Mind Is Energetic and Focused#

A Creative Person Is Smart and Naïve#

The Creative Mind Is Playful and Disciplined#

A Creative Person Is Realistic and Imaginative#

The Creative Mind Is Extroverted and Introverted#

A Creative Person Is Proud and Modest#

The Creative Mind Is Masculine and Feminine#

A Creative Person Is Conservative and Rebellious#

The Creative Mind Is Passionate and Objective#

A Creative Person Is Sensitive and Joyful#

Frequently Asked Questions#