Creativity or bust.

It’s official. Creativity is now the single most in-demand skill, according to a new LinkedIn study combining behavioural data and surveys spanning 35 countries.

Yet in the real world, unending to-do lists battle the ping of the crowded inbox. We are more likely to brave that one last email than start on a fresh new idea. Familiar?

Creativity. The ability to solve problems in original ways.

So how do we balance this with the constant pressure on our minds that is always-on connectivity? Surely creative ‘flow’ is the antithesis of mad multitasking, yet we are often torn in competing directions by the forces of modern business. What if, to drive innovation and positive change, we need to protect human qualities in the workplace and balance ‘hard skills’ with pure creativity? Within a typical work week how can we make time for reflection, for having new ideas?

1. Kill brain debris

Sound funny? It's real.

Write that thought down. Yep, on paper. Resist the urge to force your brain to act like an algorithm, to be a digital extension of your phone… it should be the other way around! At least for now. Connecting humble pencil to paper will allow your thoughts to flow out freely, so you can let those things worrying you just pour out one-by-one. If you already have a habit with an iPad or app though, treasure it and adapt the ritual to suit. Pro-tip: use a pocket-sized notepad and pencil, so it’s with you when you need it, which might be anywhere.

2. Make some white noise

Stop and imagine a place where you aren’t interrupted by anyone or anything. Lying in bed? Shower? Garden? Or taking a quick walk, whatever image creates positive vibes for you, go ‘treat yourself’ and make that time right now. Even 5 mins each day is 30 hours every year… just for you and your thoughts. Avoid the trap of bringing your phone, it’s probably not helping your creativity either.

3. Free your mind

The trick is, don’t get stuck on any one thing. You don’t need to come back to your notepad scribbles (ever) unless you really want or need to, so don’t be precious or you’re cheating yourself. A fantastic car-design lecturer of mine once said (then in reference to sketching cars), “free your mind and free your page” – even the way the paper is bound at the spine can make a difference to how much brain juice you will waste thinking about the process rather letting those pesky trapped thoughts out.

With these three steps in practice you just might find (like I do) that the creative spark will come from anywhere. It will probably get you when you least expect it, so get ready for a magical gift from your own mind. Just make sure you write it down!

Soft skills have always been important, and they’re increasingly vital today. The rise of automation and artificial intelligence means that hard skills alone are no longer enough to be successful. (LinkedIn, 2019)

About Me

Calling on my background in Industrial Design, combining creativity with business strategy and my MBA (which I complete this month) has helped me to create value through Digital Marketing for my employers – value I never could have found if I just stayed in the spreadsheets. I've always worked for big firms; the real trick is finding your groove, whether that’s sketching or smashing out a mad PowerPoint.

Just try getting some ideas down, see where it leads you.

My personal views and musings only, follow for more. William Murphy