What do you want to be when you grow up? It sounds like a simple question, right? Well, whether you’re age 10 or age 40, that question is likely to make you feel a little uneasy if you’re a Hyper Creative entrepreneur.
Why? Because if you are a true hyper creative person, you do not know what you want to be no matter how old you are. The answer to that question for you seems to be, “Well, today I think I want to be a writer. Ask me in a week and I might say something else.”
That’s how you feel inside and if you say that out loud, then you get that look from the person asking you the question–that judgmental look which makes you feel as if there is something wrong with you because you can’t seem to settle down and just decide.
In our society we equate mentally hopping from one passion to the next with childhood. Children are supposed to do that. They are expected to explore and discover and try a number of passions until finding the one that is right for them. But there seems to be some unwritten rule that says adults aren’t supposed to allow our brains hop around like that. We are just supposed to know which area is right and stick with that.
But for the hyper creative adult, the idea of sticking with one thing can feel worse than a death sentence–the very thought of it can make you feel like screaming and running from the room.
It’s true that hyper creative individuals have some characteristics that appear to be similar to ADHD; however, these characteristics are not the same at all. Someone with ADHD might have problems remaining focused while someone with hyper creativity might be focused on so many things that none of them gets done well. Over a period of time this can certainly interfere with success and happiness.
As a hyper creative person, what can you do to set yourself up for success and happiness?
This is easier than you think. The trick here is not specifically what you do, but how you do it. So the question for you is not, “What do you want to be when you grow up” but “How do I want to be when I grow up?”
So shift your thinking away from the what (that can and will change) and refocus on the how.
You can help yourself with this by making it your priority to develop your personal mental filter. You will then use this mental filter to make your business decisions. If a job offer, or client, or even your website tagline, comes through your filter with flying colors, then say yes to it. Here’s what needs to go in your filter:
1. Will this opportunity allow me to be creative?
Let’s take the tagline as an example. If you create a website for your business and you develop a tagline, ask yourself if that tagline, what your business is going to do, will allow you to continue being creative. If it is too confining for you, you’ll ultimately end up rebelling, which will not lead to success. The last thing you want to do is develop a list of clientele who slot into your tagline so that you become known for that thing in a way that keeps you from growing. But if your tagline will continue to allow you/your business to be creative and grow, go for it.
2. Will I be able to get help with the aspects that I don’t want, like, or care to do?
OR
Is the payoff great enough that I can make myself slog through those areas?
Hyper-creatives are notorious for hating to do the middle part of tasks or jobs. The initial idea part is exhilarating, and the ending is satisfying, so when you think about tackling a project or job, be sure to think about the elements that you know you won’t be excited about doing. Then be honest with yourself about whether you know people who can do those tasks or if the paycheck or contribution to society is great enough that you’ll be able to make yourself do them even when you don’t want to.
A Note for Hyper-Creatives on Being Happy
Happiness is not something you achieve. It is an attitude and habit. Whenever you think, “Once I do xyz I will be happy,” you are doomed to fail.
There are many paths to being happy, but here are two techniques any hyper creative can use, right now.
1. Accept that there is nothing wrong with you. Nothing. Having a hyper-creative mind is part of who you are. The fact that others do not understand what makes you tick is not your problem. Once you stop fighting against who you are and embrace your hyper creativity as a gift and not a curse, you will be able to start using it to your advantage and you will be happier.
2. Practice kindness and make someone else happy. As they say, you can make yourself happier by making others happy. To get you started here are 21 ways to practice kindness today and instantly feel happier.
You are hyper creative. Say it loud and say it proud, because there is absolutely nothing wrong with you. Here’s to your success and happiness!
