Imagination vs. Creativity (10 examples + how to use both)
Disruption, inspiration and an ability to think outside the box. This is the stuff of innovation and takes an artistic perspective. And two core ingredient are imagination and creativity.
These two ideas are connected, but also subtly different.
So this is a quick glossary-type post to clarify the nuances.
Let’s do this!
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Imagination vs. Creativity
Imagination is more passive and includes thinking of and visualizing ideas and new perspectives. Creativity is more active and includes making things and turning ideas into tangible stuff.
But these two ideas are really like two sides of the same coin — like yin and yang.
6 Examples of Creativity
1. Music
Making music is one of the biggest examples of creativity. And it’s one of my personal favorites.
I love turning concepts in my mind into realized sound waves people can listen to. It’s a moment of pride and incredibly rewarding.
Explore more:
➤ Is Making Music Hard?
2. Artwork
Following up with another painfully obvious representation of creativity is artwork.
Artists are always at the center of discussions on creativity — which makes sense. Art truly is part of most everything we see around us.
From city and home beautification to product design and home decor, the creativity of art is everywhere.
Explore more:
➤ Art can Change the World
3. Writing
Writing is cathartic and incredibly creative. And you don’t need to be a published professional writer to take advantage of this outlet.
For example, this blog is a direct reflection of my journey building a personal brand around my music and passions for travel and art. It’s one of my core creativity pillars.
Although I recommend everyone at least try starting a blog (especially if you’re interested in online entrepreneurship or digital skill building), writing can be as simple as just journaling your day down in a phone app or writing a stream of thoughts on loose papers.
Explore more:
➤ Reasons to Write (even with AI)
4. Business Innovation
New products and services require design and creative finesse.
The process of finding a problem and creating a product or service to solve it is, well, creativity in action. It’s just more business-focused than our first few examples.
So look around and consider the creativity behind your favorite brands, products and services.
Explore more:
➤ Creative Entrepreneurship 101
5. Raising Children
Wait, raising children is creative? Yes.
I have mad respect for any parent — because although I’m single and have no kids, I do have nieces and nephews and can appreciate the work and sacrifice it takes.
There’s creativity and cleverness in teaching values and creating the nuances of your family dynamics.
6. Marketing
I used to think marketing and business were just suits and numbers — and the farthest thing from creativity.
But if the internet and social media has taught me anything, it’s that digital marketing and entrepreneurship is incredibly creative. It also happens to be trendy.
So next time you’re waiting to skip that ad or you see a new online business pop up, consider the level of creativity that went into what you’re seeing.
4 Examples of Imagination
1. Daydreaming
A growth mindset is the perspective that failure is simply one step closer to success and that any skill or ability can be learned.
A growth mindset is closely connected to the dreamer perspective. It’s the ability to visualize some potential future with a sense of grandiose optimism.
Coupled with the belief framework that anything is possible and can be learned or done (i.e., a growth mindset), this type of imagination is unstoppable and infectious.
Explore more:
➤ Dreamer Personality (core traits)
2. Introspection
Self awareness and self reflection are all the rage, but incredibly important.
I love meditating. And I’ve actually been doing it for quite a while — sort of. I mean, snowboarding is a form of meditation.
When buttering down the hill, I literally have zero thoughts in my mind and I’m completely focused on the present moment.
I’ve also recently added more intentional meditation and introspection — and it always ends up being a powerful imagination session. Admittedly, I may be doing things wrong, but still, they’re very correlated.
Explore more:
➤ How to Look Within
3. Brainstorming
Ideation and brainstorming is a more formal example of imagination.
It’s the ability to look at a problem or question and visualize different solutions, angles and paths forward.
It’s imagination at work.
4. Planning
Similar to brainstorming, planning requires a lot of imagination too. It takes research and pulling ideas together to organize stuff in a way that makes sense.
Explore more:
➤ How to Get Better at Planning
Key Takeaways
Creativity is active and tangible
Imagination is more passive and conceptual
Imagination is a precursor to creativity
Both work together in harmony
Alright, that’s a wrap!
Later ✌️
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