As a creative spiritual entrepreneur I realize several things about myself and the way I work.

I am a sensitive person, sometimes introverted (but very friendly) and super-creative. I am intuitive and keenly aware of my environment.

I’m fiercely independent with a deep desire to live life on my own terms. I spend a lot of time in self-reflection and mindfulness meditation.

Have you heard the stereotypes that creative people have a reputation for being free spirits who hate being told what to do, are often brilliant, sometimes difficult and temperamental, prideful then racked with self-doubt, eccentric and sometimes march to the beat of a different drummer?

I’m Okay – You’re Okay

Psychologists have tried to pigeon-hole, define or figure out the creative personality – but they haven’t had much luck.

I think that it’s safe to say that anyone who takes a creative approach to life and work and optimizes their life for freedom is a creative person.

After all, we are all essentially creative people – consciousness shapes our thought processes and creates our realities.

I am creating my reality with my thoughts this very instant. Hmm… “I wonder if I should mow the lawn today?

Long Haired Freaky People Need Not Apply

Creativity isn’t an attribute reserved solely for the musician, artist, painter, writer or poet.

Some of the most creative people I’ve known have been my business associates and joint venture partners. When it came to devising new ways of marketing or financial re-structuring, they displayed rock-star creative abilities.

They constantly found new ways of looking at problems, finding solutions and getting the results they planned for.

Maybe You Don’t Fit In Because You Were Meant to Stick Out

If you are the creative type, you know that it’s not always easy to live in the so called ‘normal’ world. It can be difficult at times for creatives to fit in. We don’t take kindly to rules, regs and rigidity.

As a creative person, I’m used to the unconventional and unstructured life. In short, I’m used to living on the edge.

The current downturn in the economy doesn’t faze me one bit. I know that abundance comes from inside me – it’s effortless and unlimited.

What Drives Creative People

Money doesn’t motivate me all that much. Art, beauty, helping others, music, adventure, experiences, variety, peace of mind and personal growth are values I consider more important.

Here’s a quote by Harvard Business Review’s Theresa Amabile, on the intrinsic motivation principle of creativity:

“People will be most creative when they feel motivated primarily by the interest, satisfaction, and challenge of the work itself — not by external pressures.”

Also, here’s what Chris Jones, Chief Executive of J Walter Thompson worldwide has to say about what motivates creative people:

“People who are really good aren’t motivated by more money. They set themselves extraordinarily high standards. You won’t get their standards to go any higher by saying ‘here’s some more money’. (How to Get the Best from Creative People, by Winston Fletcher, 2000)

What Creative People Need

A creative person desires freedom most of all. They crave the freedom to do what they want and when they’re inspired to do it. That means they desire meaningful work that doesn’t feel like work.

I had the pleasure of making my living playing the guitar in night clubs while traveling throughout Canada and the US — 6 nights a week for 14 years .

I was making money from something I loved, getting the adventure and new experiences I craved, while making others happy with my music. All the while, I was exploring the world and allowing my mind to wander in search of new inspiration and ideas.

Be Who You Really Are

Maybe you’ve been stuck in a mundane job or traditional career and you’re longing for creative self-expression. Maybe your dream is to break free and go out on your own but you’re scared to death – and you need support and encouragement.

To master the craft of living and to become authentic with ourselves is a work of art, but it requires courage and genuine commitment.

“Often people attempt to live their lives backwards: they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want so that they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then, do what you need to do, in order to have what you want.” Margaret Young

Maybe it’s time to finally discover who you really are.

Back A**wards

For creatives, it seems that most of the world seems to be trying to do things in a completely different order than what we do.

I watch as my friends sacrifice most of their time earning dollars for hours, saying to themselves, “One day I’ll be able to retire and do what I really want to do.”

If you take a creative, entrepreneurial and spiritual approach to your work and life and you intuitively feel like you are here for a higher purpose, even though you may be unclear about what that is yet, or you desperately want to live an inspired and authentic life that is aligned with your core values – give me a call – I specialize in you.

Leave me a comment, I’d love to hear from you!