The Perks Of Being A Creative

During my last semester in the University, we went through a course called 'developing career prospects'. Although the name sounds really pompous, it was just an in-depth way to better understand your future path. Well, to be honest even after have finished my degree, I’m still struggling to find my way, but that’s another story. However, that course was useful from a certain point of view. Our Professor, in fact, asked us to write a 3000 words essay about one of our characteristics, which in our opinion can be considered as a key strength. Now, I think you can easily understand that write 3000 words about yourself it’s not a piece of cake, but the thing that upset me most, was to realize that finding one of my strengths was easier said than done. After a moment of initial panic, I seriously started thinking about my best quality. How can I figure out what my biggest strength is, when I can barely recognize one? Besides, I started from there. I realize that actually there is something in which I’m good at (ok, maybe it can sounds a bit pretentious), but I really love writing and it has always been way of my biggest passion. So, the answer was – literally, I could say – at my fingertips: I am a creative. It can really be considered a strength? Well, I think so.

If you take a look at the definition of strength in any dictionary, the term is simply defined as "a good or beneficial quality or attribute of a person or thing". I believe that strengths are attributes that characterized us as individuals and allow every person to achieve goals; these include talents, knowledge, and abilities that everyone possess, either physical, emotionally, or morally. So, I could definitely argue that creativity is not only a strength, but is my key strength.

Now, creativity is defined as “mental characteristic that allows a person to think outside the box, which results in innovative or different approaches to a particular task”. So, as this definition emphasize, the term ‘creativity’ can have a wide variety of implications, which reflect personal characteristics and attitudes too. These implications include beneficial aspects, which are the reasons to consider creativity a strength, such as the ability to think 'out-the-box', build better relationships, conceptualize and achieve goals in original ways.

So, we can argue that creativity can be clearly on several levels, psychologically, intellectually, socially and from the perspective of different disciplines. In this regard, the Componential theory of creativity by T. Amabile, a model of social and psychological components essential to deliver innovative work, documented that creativity in the individual has three components: "creative thinking skill, expertise, motivation and work environment". Basically, creativity come up when these elements come together. According to the theory, creative thinking skill includes a cognitive style based on being flexible and imaginative. Motivation refers to the right type of involvement, as people are most creative when they feel motivated primarily by the interest, enjoyment, satisfaction, and challenge of the work itself. The work environment plays a key role in fostering creativity, offering a sense of positive challenge, increasing team-work and brainstorming. I really reflect my personality in these theories and concepts; for example, as I realized that the most important elements of job satisfaction for me are a positive, flexible and stimulating work environment, in which I can use my creativity and my communication skills.

Another definition by R. E. Franken argue that “creativity is defined as the tendency to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems and communicating with others”. This definition introduced others key-aspects of creativity, which I personally experienced both in academic and work environment; these characteristics are problem-solving, communication and open-mindedness. Creativity and problem solving are two concepts interrelated and interdependent; problem-solving need creativity in order to find out new solutions, ideas and resolutions to critical aspects of day-to-day activities. Hence, creative problem-solving is the mental process of searching for an original and previously unknown solution to a problem. To qualify, the solution must be novel and reached independently.

Overall, I firmly believe that creative thinking and open- mindedness are advantageous attributes; new experiences, new ideas, increased learning, relationships skill, personal and professional growth and a general positive approach to life are just a few of the benefits of having an open mind.