Highly Creative People and Business Success

My husband forwarded me this amazing article from the Huffington Post about 18 Things Highly Creative People Do Differently.  I highly recommend reading the whole article.

Here is a list of the 18 things:

  1. They daydream.
  2. They observe everything.
  3. They work the hours that work for them.
  4. They take time for solitude.
  5. They turn life’s obstacles around.
  6. They seek out new experiences.
  7. They “fail up”.
  8. They ask big questions.
  9. They people watch.
  10. They take risks.
  11. They view all of life as an opportunity for self expression.
  12. They follow their true passions.
  13. They get out of their own heads.
  14. They lose track of time.
  15. They surround themselves with beauty.
  16. They connect the dots.
  17. They constantly shake things up.
  18. They make time for mindfulness.

Creative Brain

The list speaks to me.  It feels like they profiled me to write the list. The Kermit the Frog song, “It’s Not Easy Being Green” comes to mind when I think about being highly creative.  I have always had a sense of being very different than most people. It’s comforting to know that other people have the same profile.

Let’s talk about these characteristics, business success and productivity. Having these qualities can get in the way of completing things.  I called it “The Shiny Object Syndrome”.  You always have amazing ideas and it’s difficult to stick with one thing long enough to be successful.

This doesn’t happen because you’re flaky – it happens because this is your gift.

Yet, there is a very real gap between your ideas (which are fabulous and would most likely make you tons of money) and implementation.  Darn those details!

In the next number of posts, I will explore the specifics in more detail (does that even make sense)?!

For today I’m curious, are you highly creative?  Does the list profile you?  Even if you don’t think of yourself as “highly creative”, how easy or difficult is it for you to get things done?

Until tomorrow my friends.

Image courtesy of ddpavumba/freedigitalimages.net

 

 

5 comments

  1. Hi Kim,

    I never considered myself as highly creative, but from your list, a lot of the points resonate with me so I guess I must be highly creative then. Have to admit that I’m a shiny product sucker and am always trying new business ideas, methods and strategies. Thankfully through John’s P2S program, I’ve managed to stay focused and stop buying the shiny new objects unless they are absolutely essential. It’s also help me to focus on getting things done far more efficiently and to stop wasting time daydreaming.

    Kind regards
    Sky

    1. Sky:

      I agree that a step by step program can be the right fix for Shiny Object Syndrome. You sound like you are on the right track. The only thing I would say is that I don’t think daydreaming is necessarily a waste of time. If you’re using it to keep yourself from moving forward, then definitely stop that. Do though allow yourself time to creatively daydream to enhance your focus and drive to succeed.

      Kim

  2. Hi Kim

    First of all: congratulations on your blog posts. Your writing style really speaks to me. It’s easy flowing, intelligent, witty and a bit cheeky.

    I am not sure if the ‘shine object syndrome’ is a sign of creative people or just a kind of procastination. Like ‘I don’t really want to do what I should be doing to complete the job, but look at this shine object. I must research it now’.
    Your way of looking at it is of course much kinder.
    Some of the points on the list do apply to me and yes I can be creative either when I have time to play or when I want to have more time. Then I creatively streamline the process and be more productive in a shorter time.
    Isn’t life fun?!

    I look forward to more posts from you
    Cheers
    Gaby

    1. Gaby:

      You seem like a “getter done” gal, which is great. I love the idea of being productive in a shorter period of time.

      Thanks for taking the time to let me know your thoughts.

      Kim

  3. Hi Kim,

    Those 18 points are very interesting and I echo Sky’s comment as I dont really think of myself as creative but find myself doing a lot of those things, but they are all a form of expression and ways to get our minds and thoughts to where they need to be.

    Many Thanks

    Dominic
    http://www.dominiclockett.com

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