In the another post, we asked why some people are creative and others aren’t. This time around, let’s put it even more plain: Are YOU creative?
Even though I.Q. tests supposedly measure your brain power, there is still no “Creativity Quotient” (C.Q.) test that measures how creative you are.
But the same Scientific American research found that creative people often have similar character traits. See if any of these apply to you…
Ideational Fluency – Someone gives you a word. The more sentences, ideas, and associations you can match to that word, the more likely it is you’re a “creative type.”
Variety and Flexibility – Someone gives you an object, say a garden hose. How many different things can you do with it? The more you can think of, the better.
Original Problem Solving – Someone presents you with a puzzle or a problem. Beyond the conventional solution, how many other workable but uncommon solutions can you come up with?
Elaboration – How far can you carry an idea? That is, once you have it, can you build on it until you can actually carry it out in application?
Problem Sensitivity – When someone presents you with a problem, how many challenges related to that problem can you identify? More importantly, can you zero in on the core or most important challenge?
Redefinition – Take a look at the same problem. Can you find a way to look at it in a completely different light?
How did you measure up?
I was a professional drummer from 10976 to 2003. There are many different ways to demonstrate creativity. While some are generally open this list, I would say improvising within a given framework and having people buy in to the result is the most important.
Sorry about the typo! 🙂 1976 to 2003 ….