Creative style is not about what you do but about how you do it. The creative style theory, pioneered by Dr. Michael Kirton, addresses the question of why some ideas succeed and some fail even when all parties are creative. It turns out that how you do things matter. Your style is unique to you because no one can do things the way that you do them.
Not only that; your style has nothing to do with your ability as a creator. You can be a low-level or high-level creative person, but the way you innovate and adapt to different situations is what really matters when it comes to success. Knowing your creative style can help you know how you work best so that you can easily set yourself up for success.
Often when we think of creating something, we think about what others will think.
But, exploring creative outlets is for you.
If you want to create something that you think others might find odd, ugly, or useless, create it anyway. Creativity is personal and therapeutic if you don’t focus on what anyone else thinks. If you are constantly trying to please other people by what you make then you are not going to get any joy from it. I know I spent quite some time worrying about what people will think about @apainterlylife. I didn’t fit in to the Motherhood niche, which is where I wanted to be; and I didn’t feel creative enough for the creator niche, but I loved that space too. I was told that I had to pick one or the other. I had to tone down my style and be like everyone else. Yet, here I am sharing my creative photography in the motherhood realm.
What’s Your Creative Style?
This test is offered by Psychologies.co.uk, and while the test itself may not be totally scientific, it is based on science. You’ll always, of course, do best to go to the real place with a KAI certified practitioner, which is the test mentioned above. However, this one is fun and you can take it right now online. One thing to remember is that according to Kirton, everyone is creative. It’s just the way that you create that’s different.
Finding your creative style will come through experimentation and practice. It can help to journal, draw, get into nature, and to just think. Set up your life so that you have downtime where you can get new ideas and then act on those ideas. Also, you may be high-level or low-level creative, but your style is all your own. You may adapt, or you may innovate, or you may do some of both.
Nothing will build your creativity more than forcing yourself to create consistently. Practicing your craft over and over is the only way to become decent at it. Sitting around thinking about that perfect idea will get you nowhere. You don’t need to achieve perfection with your first try. It doesn’t matter how good or how bad it is. You just need to produce something, anything, to prove that you can to yourself.
Share your work publicly. It will hold you accountable to creating your best work. It will provide feedback for doing better work. And when you see others connect with what you create, it will inspire you and make you care more.
For more inspiration on How to be creative when you don’t know what to create, check out this article over at True You Lifestyle Blog.
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