9 common characteristics of great thinkers

There are many types of people, while some are rather practical and do very well in social environments. where they receive orders and do not have to reason much, others are great thinkers and do not fit into monotonous jobs, because their mind is always active and they need to self-realize in this sense.

• Related article: ”13 characteristics of self-actualized people according to Abraham Maslow”

What are great thinkers like?

Great thinkers are people who spend a large part of their lives dedicating their time to what they like and motivates them., they feel a kind of drive that makes them become experts in a certain area. Thus, there are many thinkers who have become people known for their contributions: discards, Freud, Skinner, Aristotle, Plato or Maslow are some examples.

However, there are people who, despite not being as well known, also have a thoughtful and original mindset.

Common characteristics and attitudes of brilliant minds

But what traits do these types of people have in common? What characteristics or attitudes do they display?

What makes them different? You can find the answers to these questions below:

1. They work for passion, not for money

If something characterizes this type of person, it is that his motivation is not money, but there is a drive inside them that makes them work on what they are passionate about. That's what motivates them and makes them happy, and that's why it doesn't take a lot of effort.

At least, this is what Dan Pink thinks, author of the book The surprising truth about what motivates us. "Money is a extrinsic motivationBut for these individuals, intrinsic motivation is what keeps them going, even in the toughest of times. It is what fills them”, affirms the expert.

• Related article: “6 ways to motivate your employees without money”

2. are sacrificed

And of course, when someone pursues their great passion and the motivation comes from within, they continue paddling against the current if necessary. the great thinkers they feel good about what they do and that's what matters to them. This gives them a great capacity for sacrifice, because there is no money that can pay the reward of doing what one really wants.

3. They enjoy solitude

Since these types of people move thanks to their intrinsic motivation, do not require the approval of others and think for themselves instead of letting others make decisions for them. This makes them individuals who enjoy moments of solitude, where they find themselves and their own thoughts and emotions.

4. They are critical of their work

Being thoughtful people, they are often critical of themselves and their work. They are rarely content with what they have achieved and always want to go further. This can be positive in some ways, but it can also make them more easily frustrated if they have a negative perception of themselves.

In this regard, the case of one of the best guitarists of all time, Paco de Lucía, admired by so many because of his genius, but that he was unable to listen to his own works because he believed that they could always be heard. to get better. He is considered the best flamenco guitarist of all time, something that is obvious when listening to him, but he was unable to enjoy his works.

• Related article: “Perfectionist Personality: The Disadvantages of Perfectionism”

5. They seek to overcome

Not being satisfied with their work, these people always want more and they strive to always go one step further. They like being able to influence other individuals and, although they enjoy their solitude, they want recognition for their work. They are ambitious people.

6. They dedicate many hours to their specialty

These individuals may have access to great universities, but that's not really why they got to where they are. If they access prestigious universities, it is precisely because of their great potential. Actually, titles are not what make them great thinkers, but their dedication to a particular specialty.

There are self-taught people who fail in their studies and yet are very good artists or have great mastery in a certain area. This agrees with point one. In other words, they are driven by their great passion.

7. They are curious

It must be clear that these types of people have something that makes them different, and that is that they are curious. They are always exploring, looking for the relationship between the things that are happening around them. They have to find an explanation for the facts, if not, they are not satisfied.

8. they are creative

Curiosity makes them creative people, who reject clichés and social norms. They feel the need to act differently, and are capable of generating genuine and original ideas for solutions to problems.

• Recommended text: “The 7 personality traits of creative people”

9. Commitment

Curiosity and creativity are not exactly synonymous, although they are related. The latest research on creativity affirms that creative people are not only curious, but also they are very methodical people, who are quite obsessed with their specialty. This means that creative ideas do not usually arise overnight, but rather are the result of hard work and a long-term commitment to something.

By dedicating more time to it, they generate more ideas and question more things until they arrive at the solutions they seek. This trait is characteristic of creative people, it is also characteristic of great thinkers.