I am a big believer in giving yourself the gift of proper breaks for creativity and recharging. This article I read the other day had a fascinating stat–leaders say creativity is a top trait, and yet 80% of American and British workers say they feel pressed to be productive rather than creative. Another: happiness research shows the biggest obstacle to creativity is being too busy.
I get it…
I’ve seen firsthand the benefits of a good walk, a field trip, a proper lunch, or a focused creative sprint. I try to bake it into how I structure my week. And yet, it’s easier said than done. Even with my best laid plans, I started off on the wrong foot. I use Basecamp 3’s automatic check-in feature to keep creativity top-of-mind. For the first several months of YAY, I got this message at 9 a.m. every weekday: How will you be creative today?
The phrasing had a big impact on how I responded. It channeled all my efforts toward active forms of creativity. This absolutely led to more frequent sketching, focused writing time, and playful making of all kinds. These kind of breaks were energizing and productive, but I didn’t always have the right mindset to make the most of them. Not every single day.
Sometimes, what I need more than a productive creative endeavor is simply space. The act of setting the conditions for creativity or letting the mind wander can be just as helpful as deliberate acts of art. No big shocker that the path to creativity does not always look the same. I recently updated my daily prompt to:
How will you foster creativity today?
This reframing broadened my outlook tremendously. Today, for example, this prompt had me thinking beyond myself and about the mission of YAY to foster creativity in others. In an age where everyone is chasing innovation, we need people to be critical thinkers and to uncover creative solutions to problems. Issuing a decree to be more creative won’t get you very far if your culture is one of clock watching, work churning, efficiency above all else.
So here is a challenge.
To you, personally: Take five minutes for yourself. More if you can. Create a daily habit, a sacred space to be creative, or to let your mind wander, or to do anything that refuels you. We can all do five minutes.
And to organizations and those who lead them: Encourage others to take a break. To explore, play, or simply rest. Before you ask for more creativity and innovation, give your team permission and space. Don’t set outcomes or expectations. Set the example. Make it safe.