How to find and Keep Creativity While you Work

No matter what role you are in, whether you’re required to be creative on a daily basis or whether you’re a facts and figures sort of person, in the ever evolving world of technology, an individual’s greatest strength is their creativity.

How Workspaces Nurture Creativity

This is part of the reason modern workplaces are dedicating so much time to designing environments that are conducive to the science of creativity. In a recent survey by The Guardian, 81% of Britain’s bosses believe fostering a creative environment is important for their employees. What’s also interesting is that 64% of management are likely to hire a new employee based on their creative abilities.

Providing employees a better variety of space, greater freedom and more opportunities to engage their creativity is a common concept of modern workspaces. By incorporating quiet zones, brainstorming rooms, onsite cafes or social spots as well as somewhere to engage your inner child – ping-pong tables and arcade games are perfect for this – a workplace culture of creativity is born.

What is Creativity Really?

Let’s face it, being creative on demand is never easy. So, how do you go about developing a creative mind set when you need it most?

Well, according to an article by Mr Porter, ‘There’s no such thing as originality. If something was truly original, we wouldn’t be able to recognise it. “Originality” is combining existing elements in a previously untried way. Which means that the creative act is really an act of combination.’ Looking at creativity in this way makes the idea less abstract and easier to process.

Set Goals

With this in mind, giving ourselves goals and structure where creativity is concerned becomes a little easier too. This could mean making a weekly plan that sets aside time to trying something new. It could be that you set yourself more challenging tasks, even those that are impossible to achieve. It’s about the journey and the creative process more than the outcome. Or you could simply set yourself measurable creativity targets in the same way you would set yourself weekly or monthly targets at work.

Broaden your Horizons

The more you see of the world, the more authors you read, the more countries or cities you visit the more artists you open your eyes and ears too, the more creative fuel you develop. Every experience, even the one you didn’t particularly like, is useful when it comes to thinking and working creatively. Opening your mind to new experiences arms you with more elements to combine into something creative and original.

Avoid Excuses

It is also important to avoid excuses when trying to develop a more creative state of mind. Allowing yourself to put things off is a huge dampener on creativity. Instead, show yourself how nominal your excuses can be by writing them down. Record every task you avoided that week and the reason for doing so. At the end of the week you will realise how much more you could have achieved if you’d just pushed yourself.

Find Problems, Create Solutions

If you’re really struggling to find your creative muse, an article by Forbes suggests breaking a task down into problems and then solutions. For example you could have written a novel, formed a band or have an idea for a new TV series but you’re struggling to think of the perfect name. Breaking it down into smaller questions; who is your audience, what type of language do they use and what do we want the name to say about the product, is a great way to begin the naming process.

No Bad Suggestions

For managers, nurturing creativity within their teams is much easier when following one simple rule; there is no such thing as a bad suggestion. Having an open work environment where all ideas are equal can really build confidence and creativity. Ruth Sacks, business development director and principal lecturer at Westminster Business School says, “Being open to change – to testing out ideas and then adjusting realities – can include threats as well as opportunities. Making mistakes is integral to this improvement, as is encouraging people to try new approaches, rather than punishing or ridiculing those who try something that doesn’t work out.”

If your team need a workspace that supports and nurtures their creativity, Londonoffices can help. Just give us a call on 020 7166 7981 or fill out our online form.