Are You Using Your Creator Archetype Fruitfully?

In this episode of the blue pea leader, I want to explore the use of archetypes, well one specifically. But what are archetypes, well they’re a language of power and a route to know ourselves better. Why do we do what we do, respond how we do. What makes us attracted or repelled by someone/thing.

When a particular archetype is active is influences or shapes how we view the world or our life. We already speak them fluently and unconsciously recognise them in others. It’s ours at play that we need to become more conscious of and learn to use as a powerful resource.

Becoming more conscious as a leader is something I help my clients achieve. Understanding their archetypes is a significant element of this.

So then in this podcast I want to explore The Creator archetype specifically.

Creating…something new

The Goal or purpose of the creator archetype is ‘the creation of something new’. Fairly self explanatory then, so let’s look a little deeper. The gifts of this archetype or the resources available include creativity, vision, imagination, following your vocation and identity.

This archetype should be at its most obvious when we’re brainstorming, problem solving and setting the vision for our business. It should be allowed expression so that we can create our desired reality.

However all too often it’s stamped down or worse out by the processes and conditioning of life. Children are initially very creative, the other day I was sat on a rock on the beach when a child of about 5 or 6 claimed the next rock, except it wasn’t a rock, no it was a hotel and she was inviting people to check in and the other rocks, well rooms of course. Although some were not for these guests. There was at least 15 mins of fun as everyone checked in and out of their rock hotel. Children have make believe friends, yes that’s who these rooms were reserved for. Yet as adults we become more disapproving of this. It’s fine when you’re 6, but not when you’re 16, or 36, it probably becomes OK again when you’re 86 if you can remember how to do it.

And that’s the thing, we’re encouraged to leave behind this form of creativity. Now I’m not suggesting for a minute that we have imaginary friends at work, but somewhere along the way some of us have had the creative stuffing knocked out of us.

So perhaps it’s time to get back in touch with this resource.

Because that’s what it is. A powerful resource, an antidote to stress, handling uncertainty and the route to creating more of what you do want in your life and business.

Benefits of the creator archetype

People who can easily access the creator archetype tend to have many ideas, flights of fantasy, what if moments, and they’re not too attached to them in the first instance.

It’s only when they’ve dwelled upon an idea that attachment forms. So these people are good at innovating and coming up with ideas to solve problems (both practical and impractical) they just don’t filter for a start. Of course if as an individual or a business you get too creative, then you need to ensure there is enough space to make things happen (and there is some element of market reality or demand) or you can go in to overload and nothing happens.

If we look at this from a leadership perspective then the creator archetype allows us to come up with the vision and describe it in such a way that others buy in and want to follow.

If we look from a brand perspective then this archetype is about producing wonderful works of art, and I mean that in the looser sense. A good example would be Apple.

Now of course if you draw upon the creator a lot, then you may find yourself shying away from boring or routine work and people who lack imagination. On the other hand people may perceive you as eccentric or just plain weird. The Creator is also about vocation and identity, which means that if you’re working with people who see their work as just that, you may clash or just want more for them than they think is possible. Again our conditioning can mean that we see having a vocation as a luxury or worse still aspirational and totally unrealistic. Plus if you meet someone who’s playing roles, then you’re likely to kick off at their inauthenticity. You see a pure creator attitude would be “I have a dream…now I’m off to make it happen”.

Working with your creator archetype…..

If you’re a high creator then you should watch for the tendency to have too many ideas (not all market relevant) and not be able to act on any of them. You should also watch that you’re not a workaholic, with just one more thing to do before you go home.

If you’re a low creator then give yourself permission to have the odd daydream or flight of fantasy. Listen to your intuition and follow it a little longer. In fact spend the first 10 minutes of every morning mentally creating the perfect day, how do you want your meetings to work out, what do you want to achieve, how do you want to feel. You may begin to notice how more of what you dream becomes reality. Then again you may notice that between what you day dream and what really is, there is a large gap – if so this could be a sign that you’re in the wrong job or you’re having to curb your true identity in order to ‘fit in’.

What Next

If you want to get to know your creator archetype better and work with it as a powerful and fruitful resource. Indeed if you’d like to learn more about consciously utilising archetypes then check out our leadership program

We’ve all had dreams, some of us still have them and sadly even fewer go on to make them happen. Be one of the few, follow your dreams. Because if you’re not following your dreams you’re sure as heck following someone else’s and who decided theirs was more worthy than yours?

Until the next time

blue pea POD works with corporate clients and individuals helping them express their true identity to create outstanding results. If this article has sparked off ideas and thoughts you’d like to make happen then get in touch .