Imagination vs. Creativity (10 examples + how to use both)
Disruption, inspiration and coloring outside the lines. This is the stuff of innovation and takes an artistic perspective. It takes imagination and creativity: two ideas that are totally connected, but also totally different.
So this is a quick glossary-type post to clarify the nuances. Because why not…
But here’s my take. Imagination lives in the mind. Creativity lives outside. It’s thinking vs. doing.
Let’s dig deeper.
Table of Contents
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 actual tangible stuff.
But these two ideas are good friends too. Let’s look at some examples to help clarify things.
6 Examples of Creativity
1. Making Music
Making music is an example of active 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. Doing Artwork
Making artwork is creativity in action.
Art is creativity. Art is a creative act that requires energy.
From city landscapes and home design to products and painted canvases, the creativity of art is everywhere.
Explore more:
➤ Art can Change the World
3. Writing
Writing is cathartic and super creative. And you don’t need to be a published writer to take advantage of this outlet.
For example, this blog is me writing about my journey as a nomadic creative building a personal brand. It’s another creative act in my life movie.
Explore more:
➤ Reasons to Write (even with AI)
4. Business Innovation
New products, platforms or services take creativity.
The process of finding a problem and creating a new product or service to solve it is creative. It’s just more business-y than the first few examples, but it’s still creativity.
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? Totally.
I have a lot of respect for parents — because although I’m single and have no kids, I do have nieces and nephews and I really appreciate the work and sacrifice it takes.
There’s creativity and cleverness in teaching values, raising a family, making on-the-fly decisions and creating the nuances of your family personality.
6. Business / Marketing
I used to think marketing and business were just suits and numbers—far removed from creativity.
But if the internet and social media has taught me anything, it’s that digital marketing and entrepreneurship are pretty freaking creative.
Vibe coding a micro SaaS app? Creative.
Creating an IG campaign for your studio? Totally creative.
Building a brand identity for your business? Yea, creative.
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 ✌️
Want More? Nice. Here’s More.
