We work so hard at attempting to 'fit in' or 'adapt' that sometime we forget, it's our individuality that really matters.
If you don't believe me, you need only read a few posts for employment - blah, blah, blah - yuk! Really?  Do you want to work for an organization which has the individuality of a floor tile (different colours and designs, but, they're all flat)? Or would you rather express yourself in your work? Oddly enough, the answer to that question is often, no.  I know people who just want to be told what to do and how to do it and then let them get it done. I've had that experience when asking someone if they would like to do something beyond what they're regular work is and they've said, no. No? And of course, being who I am, I've asked, why not?
People who are in the creative lot need to create! They need to explore their surroundings and once that has been done, go explore other places. They can't rest for long in the comfort of their day to day life. If they are in a job that has a prescribed direction, they will generally find a way to look beyond, push the boundaries, and sometimes the patience of their superiors, in the process.
People who are the worker bees, don't want you moving the hive, because they know exactly where it is, how long it takes to get there and precisely what they have to do before their day is done. They don't want to be exploring, expanding their territory or pushing past the limits of what they already know. Leave the hive where it is, please!
I've often wondered about imitators, whether they are individuals or bands. What do they get out of imitating someone else? What is the payoff? I can't answer that one, unless it's to say they get a certain satisfaction in mastering someone else's look or sound and possibly, the instant audience they will have due to the recognition of the brand. But, I wouldn't think of these people as being creative, but rather, technically proficient at their work.
Sir Ken Robinson PhD who has worked for decades within the Education field, now works primarily in International Education and in particular in changing the way we approach education. He states that he is now working “to transform the culture of education and organizations with a richer conception of human creativity and intelligence.” He believes that education system primarily teaches in a linear format and therefore kills creativity.
Babies probably provide the earliest proof of their individuality. A child needs food and water to survive, but, they need nurturing and freedom to thrive! Letting them explore their world is the best way to find out the things that interest them. Letting them work with what interests them could produce some wonderful results. I remember watching two babies stack soup cans. One would stack them and if a can wasn't positioned just right, it would topple. The can would be re-stacked over and over again, until it stayed in place. The second had no patience for soup cans that wouldn't stay stacked right where they were put the first time and moved on out of frustration. Both were babies, both had the same soup cans, but, they didn't have the same temperament or focus.
What makes you uniquely, individually you? Work with that on a daily basis. Don't let the fact that you need to make a living deter you. Discovering things to do in life that feed your spirit will only help you in areas where you're not allowed to express your individuality.
The introvert in me, doesn't mix well, all the time, in social settings, but, leave me alone and I'll work and create for hours. The extrovert in our house, needs to get out on a daily basis and mix with people to maintain equilibrium. We could be working on similar projects, but, our individual technique and approach is different and our delivery - definitely different! I made the mistake once of suggesting an online course. Yes, an online course for someone who needs stimulus most of the time. That worked out really well - that course never was completed.
Celebrate your differences and respect one another's unique abilities. In all things, Individuality Matters!