How To Improve Your Creativity: Take The Test

Just as you inherit physical traits from your parents, you also carry creative DNA within you. These aren’t fixed characteristics you’re stuck with—they’re living, breathing traits that can be nurtured, strengthened, and developed throughout your life.

Learning how to improve creativity isn’t about forcing inspiration or waiting for lightning strikes of genius. It’s about understanding and cultivating the creative characters that already exist within you.

If you’re feeling disconnected from your creative potential, you’re not alone. 75% of people feel they’re not reaching their creative potential, yet the benefits of developing these skills have never been more important.

Why Focus on How to Improve Creativity?

The benefits of creativity extend far beyond artistic pursuits. Research shows that creative thinking enhances problem-solving abilities, increases resilience, improves mental health, and even boosts career success. When you develop your creative capacities, you’re not just becoming more artistic – you’re becoming more adaptable, innovative, and fulfilled in every area of life.

For creative professionals, these skills are essential for finding and succeeding in creative opportunities, whether that’s awards, residencies, commissions, or exhibitions. The stronger your creative characteristics, the more compelling your applications and the more resilient you’ll be throughout your creative journey.

Think of your creative DNA as a cast of characters living inside you. Each one has their own personality, strengths, and ways of showing up in your creative work. Some might be naturally louder, while others need more encouragement to emerge. But together, they form your unique creative identity.

Take This Creativity Test: Rank Your Creative Characters

Before we dive into the characters, take this creativity test to discover your creative strengths and development areas.

Step 1: Rank these phrases from most relatable to least relatable

Copy these statements and rearrange them in order of how much they sound like you (most like you at the top, least like you at the bottom):

1. I love asking “why” and exploring topics outside my expertise
2. I bounce back quickly from creative setbacks and rejection
3. I actively seek feedback and different perspectives on my work
4. I naturally build connections and share opportunities with other creatives
5. I approach creative challenges with playfulness and experimentation
6. I’m willing to try new approaches even when success isn’t guaranteed
7. I easily see connections between seemingly unrelated ideas
8. I create primarily for personal satisfaction rather than external validation

E.g. You might end up with: 7,2,5,4,8,6,1,3 as your new order

Step 2: Split your list down the middle

Top half (your creative strengths): First 4 numbers from your ranked list
Bottom half (areas for development): Last 4 numbers from your ranked list

E.g. 7,2,5,4 = strengths | 8,6,1,3 = growth areas

Step 3: Match your numbers to the creative characters

Each number corresponds to a character listed below:

1. The Explorer (Curiosity)
2. The Phoenix (Resilience)
3. The Sponge (Receptivity)
4. The Connector (Community)
5. The Child (Playfulness)
6. The Pioneer (Risk-Taking)
7. The Detective (Pattern Recognition)
8. The Flame (Intrinsic Motivation)

Using the example: 7,2,5,4 = The Detective, The Phoenix, The Child, The Connector are your strengths.

Step 4: Create your balanced creative practice

Read the character sections below and:

• Celebrate your strength characters – these come naturally to you
• Focus on developing your growth area characters – choose 1-2 weekly exercises from these sections
• Aim to become a well-rounded creative by nurturing all eight characters over time

This creativity test helps you create a personalised plan for how to improve creativity based on your unique profile. Whether you’re an emerging creative or creative professional, getting to know these eight creative characters can transform how you approach problems, generate ideas, and bring your vision to life.

1. The Explorer: Your Inner Curiosity

Nurturing curiosity and open-minded exploration leads to breakthroughs

The Explorer is that part of you that can’t resist asking “but what if?” They’re the one who gets excited about rabbit holes, who notices the small details everyone else misses, and who genuinely wants to understand how everything works. The Explorer doesn’t just want answers – they want to understand the story behind the answers.

How The Explorer shows up:

• Asking “what if” and “why” about everyday things
• Getting excited by topics outside your expertise
• Following interesting tangents during conversations
• Noticing details others miss
• Being genuinely interested in how things work

How to feed The Explorer this week:

1. Question Everything Day – Pick one day and ask “why” about 5 mundane things you normally take for granted.
2. Random Internet Adventure – Start with any article and follow links for 15 minutes, seeing where your interest leads.
3. Interview a Stranger – Ask someone about their work or hobby you know nothing about.

The Explorer thrives on new experiences and fresh perspectives. The more you feed your curiosity, the richer your creative work becomes.

2. The Phoenix: Your Inner Resilience

Building creative resilience is essential for how to improve creativity long-term

The Phoenix is your inner comeback champion. They understand that getting knocked down is part of the creative journey, and they’re always ready to rise from the ashes stronger than before. The Phoenix doesn’t avoid failure – they transform it into fuel for the next attempt.

How The Phoenix shows up:

• Viewing failures as learning opportunities rather than defeats
• Bouncing back from rejection or criticism
• Maintaining creative output even during difficult periods
• Adapting when projects don’t go as planned
• Finding motivation after setbacks

How to strengthen The Phoenix this week:

1. Failure Journal – Write down one “failure” from your creative work and identify three lessons learned.
2. Comeback Story Collection – Research three creators who overcame major setbacks and note their strategies.
3. Micro-Recovery Practice – After any creative disappointment, give yourself 24 hours to feel it, then take one small action forward.

Remember: rejection from creative opportunities is part of the journey. Every successful creative has faced setbacks – it’s how they responded that made the difference.

3. The Sponge: Your Inner Receptivity

Feedback and growth mindset are key benefits of creativity development

The Sponge is your inner wisdom-seeker. They understand that growth comes from absorbing insights from others, and they’re not threatened by feedback – they’re hungry for it. The Sponge knows that every perspective is a gift, even when it’s wrapped in criticism.

How The Sponge shows up:

• Listening to feedback without immediately defending your work
• Asking clarifying questions when receiving criticism
• Separating your ego from your creative output
• Seeking out diverse perspectives on your work
• Implementing suggestions that serve your vision

How to activate The Sponge this week:

1. Feedback Friday – Share one piece of work with someone whose opinion you value and ask for specific feedback.
2. Mirror Exercise – Before responding to any criticism, repeat back what you heard to ensure understanding.
3. Perspective Hunt – Actively seek feedback from someone outside your usual creative circle.

The Sponge is especially valuable when applying for creative opportunities – being open to feedback from judges, mentors, and peers can significantly improve your future applications.

4. The Connector: Your Creative Community Spirit

Community connection amplifies the benefits of creativity for everyone

The Connector believes that creativity is a team sport. They’re the part of you that lights up when you see someone else succeed, who naturally thinks “who else would love this?” and who understands that the best ideas often come from collision of different minds and perspectives.

How The Connector shows up:

• Genuinely celebrating others’ creative successes
• Sharing resources, opportunities, and connections
• Engaging in meaningful creative conversations
• Building relationships based on mutual creative growth
• Contributing to creative spaces and communities

How to energise The Connector this week:

1. Connector Challenge – Introduce two creative people who should know each other.
2. Creative Coffee Date – Schedule a casual conversation with someone whose creative work you admire.
3. Community Contribution – Share a helpful resource or opportunity with your creative network.

Building your creative community isn’t just about friendship – it’s about creating a support system that can open doors to new opportunities, collaborations, and career growth. Learn more about making creative networking work for you and build meaningful professional relationships.

5. The Child: Your Inner Playfulness

Playfulness is a crucial element in how to improve creativity naturally

The Child is your inner source of wonder and joy. They approach everything with fresh eyes, asking “what happens if I do this?” They don’t worry about looking foolish or making mistakes – they’re too busy being amazed by what’s possible. The Child reminds you that creativity should be fun.

How The Child shows up:

• Approaching problems with experimentation and joy
• Not taking yourself too seriously during the creative process
• Trying techniques or ideas “just to see what happens”
• Finding humour in creative challenges
• Maintaining childlike wonder about possibilities

How to unleash The Child this week:

1. Silly Solutions – Take a current creative challenge and brainstorm the most ridiculous solutions possible.
2. Random Constraint Game – Give yourself an arbitrary limitation (like “only use circles” or “write in questions”) and create within it.
3. Creative Play Date – Spend 30 minutes creating something with no goal except to enjoy the process.

The Child reminds us that creativity should be joyful. When you play without pressure, you often discover your most innovative ideas.

6. The Pioneer: Your Inner Risk-Taker

Risk-taking courage is essential for how to improve creativity breakthroughs

The Pioneer is your inner courage coach. They whisper “what’s the worst that could happen?” and then remind you that even the worst isn’t that bad. They understand that the biggest creative breakthroughs often come from the decisions that feel slightly terrifying.

How The Pioneer shows up:

• Trying new approaches even when success isn’t guaranteed
• Sharing work before it feels “perfect”
• Experimenting with unfamiliar techniques or mediums
• Speaking up with unconventional ideas
• Pursuing projects that excite and slightly scare you

How to empower The Pioneer this week:

1. Small Scary Step – Do one thing this week that feels slightly outside your creative comfort zone.
2. Experiment Hour – Dedicate one hour to trying a technique or approach you’ve never used before.
3. Share Before Ready – Post or share something that’s 80% finished instead of waiting for perfection.

The Pioneer knows that waiting for the “perfect” moment means missing out on incredible opportunities. Sometimes the best creative applications come from taking that leap before you feel completely ready.

7. The Detective: Your Inner Pattern Recognition

Pattern recognition helps you see creative connections others miss

The Detective is your inner connection specialist. They love puzzles and see the world as one big, beautiful web of relationships. They’re always asking “how does this relate to that?” and finding threads that others miss. The Detective knows that the best creative work comes from unexpected combinations.

How The Detective shows up:

• Seeing connections between seemingly unrelated ideas
• Noticing recurring themes in your work or interests
• Drawing inspiration from diverse sources
• Combining concepts from different fields
• Recognizing when something “feels right” creatively

How to sharpen The Detective this week:

1. Connection Journal – Write down three unexpected connections you notice between different areas of your life.
2. Cross-Pollination Exercise – Take an idea from one field and apply it to your creative work.
3. Pattern Hunt – Look for recurring themes, colours, or concepts in your recent creative output.

The Detective knows that the most innovative ideas come from unexpected combinations. Trust your ability to see connections others miss.

8. The Flame: Your Inner Motivation

Intrinsic motivation sustains long-term creative fulfilment

The Flame is your inner source of sustainable energy. They don’t need external validation to keep burning—they’re fueled by the pure joy of creation itself. The Flame reminds you why you started creating in the first place and keeps you going when the world gets quiet.

How The Flame shows up:

• Creating because you love the process, not just the outcome
• Feeling energized by your creative work
• Pursuing projects that align with your values
• Finding satisfaction in personal creative growth
• Maintaining creative practice even without external rewards

How to tend The Flame this week:

1. Why Meditation – Spend 10 minutes writing about why you create and what brings you joy in the process.
2. Passion Project Time – Dedicate time to something you create purely for your own satisfaction.
3. Values Check – Review your current creative projects and ensure they align with what matters most to you.

Maintaining intrinsic motivation is crucial for long-term creative wellbeing. Discover more ways to balance creativity and wellbeing to keep your creative flame burning bright.

Your Creative Cast of Characters

These eight characters live within you, each waiting to be acknowledged and nurtured. You might find that some are naturally louder – maybe your Explorer is always chattering away, while your Pioneer needs more coaxing. That’s perfectly normal. Your creative DNA is as unique as you are.

Pick one character that resonates with you this week and try one of their practices. Notice how it feels when you give that part of yourself permission to emerge. Pay attention to what changes in your creative work and your relationship with the creative process.

As you develop these creative characteristics, you’ll find yourself naturally drawn to new creative opportunities and better equipped to make the most of them. Whether you’re applying for awards, seeking residencies, or simply wanting to bring more creativity into your daily life, these characters will be your guides.

Your creative characters are ready to come out and play. All you have to do is invite them.

Ready to put your creative DNA to work?

Start by exploring how to find the best creative opportunities that match your unique creative profile. And if you’re navigating the digital side of creative work, check out insights on social media for creatives to authentically share your creative journey.

For more insights on developing your creative practice, explore our blog for tips on everything from managing creative projects to building your creative community.

Carmela Vienna

Social Marketing Manager