Neuroscience: Relaxing Makes You More Creative

You’ve probably heard the saying “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” I suspect that most people interpret this as a comment on Jack’s personality: He’s “dull” because all he can think or talk about is work.

But that’s not what the saying actually means. According to the latest neuroscience, overwork makes your brain “dull” in the sense of being the opposite of “sharp.” Overwork, in other words, kills your creativity.

Scientists studying brain scans recently discovered that moments of creativity take place when the mind is at rest rather than working on something. And since creative approaches are so crucial to success, workaholics are working themselves out a job.

Here’s how Brigid Schulte, author of Overwhelmed: Work, Love, and Play When No One Has the Time, characterizes this phenomenon:

Neuroscience is finding that when we are idle, in leisure, our brains are most active. The Default Mode Network lights up, which, like airport hubs, connects parts of our brain that don’t typically communicate. So a stray thought, a random memory, an image can combine in novel ways to produce novel ideas.

This is not to say that people who are “all work” don’t get things done. Quite the contrary–they’re great at checking off the busywork boxes. But when it comes to thinking of new approaches–working smart, not hard, as they say– workaholics are worse than useless.

I’m sure you know a few of these folks: always on a device, always doing a project, always go-go-go. They’re proud of the fact that they’re stressed to the max and look down on anybody who’s not similarly overworked.

Of course, it’s long been known to medical science that stress from overwork causes major health problems, but the business world has tended to treat that as an acceptable trade-off. A health risk is tolerable if long hours are necessary to achieve success.

But what the research is now saying it that there is no trade-off. Long work hours don’t make you more successful. Instead, they make you sick and worse, they make you “dull”–in other words, mediocre and uncreative.

Unfortunately, the myth that overwork equals success has become so ingrained in American corporate culture that it’s going to take a lot of courage to buck conventional wisdom, even when neuroscience has proved that “wisdom” is demonstrably false.

So my advice to you (and frankly to myself as well) is to summon the courage to relax. Be brave enough to give your brain the leisure it needs to carry your ideas, your career or your company to the next level.

52 Science-Based Facts About the Creative Mind

1. Sleep is beneficial for creative thought.

A quick nap here and there greatly enhances individuals’ ability to problem solve. Creativity, as Steve Jobs put it, is “just connecting things,” and sleep acts as a bridge to bring together a myriad of ideas.

2. Creative types tend to be naturally motivated.

While certain personality traits such as openness to experience, perseverance and self-efficacy are closely related to creativity, intrinsic motivation plays a big role in creative ability.

3. Conformity kills creativity.

Your angsty teenage self was right. Pressures of conformity elicit types of motivation that are not compatible with the creative process and individuals who are highly susceptible to these pressures tend to hold certain personality traits that are detrimental to creative thinking.

4. Openness is key to creative activity.

In a study linking rebelliousness and openness with experience and creativity, individuals displaying a free and easy mind, specifically towards fantasy and aesthetic experience, self-reported the highest rates of creative activity.

5. Creative people live longer.

Due to their openness, creative minds tend to live longer, and may even get more creative with age. One of the key contributors to longevity was how creative people react to stress, often seeing obstacles as something to be overcome rather than a barrier which can’t be breached.

6. Creative people are more likely to be dishonest.

One study explores how entitlement from believing that one is creative and unique is often the impetus for unethical behaviour. Much of this comes from holding creativity on a pedestal, treating it as a rare gift reserved for a few individuals. The suggestion? Perceiving creativity as a tool which everyone has the ability to utilize. Other studies suggest dishonesty comes from a need to “think outside the box” even when it comes to ethics.

7. Creative types are more likely have psychopathic tendencies.

Research has found links between artistic ability and psychopathic behaviour, suggesting that creative people require “higher levels of emotional disinhibition, dishonesty and risk taking to cultivate their talents.” Therefore, a creative field doesn’t just shape a person to be narcissistic or dishonest, it actively seeks these traits out. Gulp.

8. Night owls tend to be more creative.

The stereotype of the night owl artist is based in some semblance of fact. People who are more active in the evening tend to possess the ability to apply divergent thinking strategies to visual content more than morning people. (There were no differences found between men and women, but this finding did vary depending on age.)

9. Creativity is more likely to peak during your “off” hours.

According to this recent study, whether you identify as a night-time or day-time person affects your creative flow in interesting ways. While night owls tend to be smarter and more outgoing, early risers are often more proactive, persistent, and conscientious. They also procrastinate less. That being said, when both types were challenged to create at their non-ideal times, they answered insight questions with flying colours. This supports the incubation theory of creativity.

10. Creative achievers are likely to have unfocused attention spans.

The ability to have an open focus, concentrating on the task at hand while letting information from alternative sources seep in, allows the thinker to make a broader range of associations and connections. This helps facilitate creative cognition. While this skill can easily be perceived as distraction, in reality these thinkers have learned to exert more cognitive control when most necessary.

11. Creative people are more likely to be “situationists.”

A political theory that regards modern industrial life as oppressive and exploitive, situationist thought began in Europe in the late 1950s, and has parallels to anarchism. According to this study, situationist thought means that creative people tend to be caring and pragmatic when it comes to moral decision making, while erring on the side of idealistic.

12. Positivity enhances creativity.

While it’s often thought that a case of the blues will get the creative juices flowing, it turns out happiness and motivation actually bring out the highest levels of creative activity. Sadness had a neutral effect, while anxiety and fear brought about the lowest levels of creativity.

13. Angry creatives burn out quickly.

In a test measuring creative spans of angry versus sad individuals, creative performance declined more rapidly for those with a tendency to get hot-headed. Initially spurring higher levels of creativity, as well as a more structured and systematic approach to creative tasks, anger seems to ultimately deplete creative resources, leading to a decline in progress.

14. Creative people may be more likely to suffer from psychiatric disorders.

This recent study argues that the prevalence of mental illness is high among people in creative fields, but more research is needed to verify the claim. Scientists are currently studying how this association may be linked to genetics.

15. Creative people are more likely to suffer from bipolar disorder.

From Picasso’s blue period to Van Gogh’s infamous mood swings, the study of why creative individuals tend to get the blues is a widely discussed topic. Although the link between depression and creativity is still disputed, this recent study found that creative people are more likely to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

16. Creative people may be more likely to commit suicide.

As this study puts it, “The relationship between suicide and creativity has long been a subject of considerable concern.” As with the general assumption that creatives are more likely to be mentally ill, this claim still needs more research, but the correlation is definitely strong.

17. Creative work may actually be hindered by psychosis or other forms of mental illness.

While high-level creativity often transcends the usual modes of logical thought, and may even superficially resemble psychosis, creative thinking generally occurs in a rational and conscious frame of mind. While creativity and psychosis can coexist, it is far from the source or the price.

18. Or maybe not.

According to this study, bipolar patients scored higher on certain creativity tests compared to mentally healthy subjects. There was also a relationship discovered between the features of schizotypy and creativity scores in bipolar patients.

19. Creative individuals tend to be independent and aspirational.

Other personality traits of creative people include being self-oriented rather than other-oriented, a love of work, and trouble in relationships. This may have something to do with transcendence of the self as a common moral problem among creative people.

20. Creative thinkers can be inhibited by group brainstorming.

Commonly thought to boost the flow of new ideas through active cognition and competition, brainstorming in a group setting may actually produces less unique ideas, and fewer ideas in general.

21. Creative people are often Intuitive-Feeling types on the Myers Briggs test.

Used to guide your career path since computer lab days in junior high, the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) was tested by these researchers in conjunction with a variety of other creativity tests to establish a predictable variable. Individuals who possess a combination of Intuition and Feeling best characterize high scorers on creativity tests.

22. Stress is bad for creativity.

Is anyone surprised by this fact? While a bit of stress can be a motivating influence, too much often makes people freeze up or freak out. According to this study, subjects in a relaxed examination environment monumentally out-performed subjects subjected to a stressful examination process.

23. Enhanced creative ability can be achieved through multiple social identities.

Being a part of several different groups that are relevant to one’s self can be beneficial when it comes to creativity. This study found that people who reported having more group identities also showed greater cognitive flexibility in a creative task.

24. A diverse social network enhances creativity.

This shouldn’t come as a surprise, especially after the findings in #23, but having a broad mix of friends and influences has been shown to improve creativity. Mostly benefiting specific types of knowledge and having a domain-specific effect on creativity, being part of a multicultural social circle is best for idea flow.

25. A “creative personality” does exist.

While it’s often argued that creativity is something that every individual can learn to access, this study suggests that certain personality traits register across the board for creative people. These traits include intuition and extraversion, with openness to experience occurring positively in every creativity test.

26. Creativity is made up of many cognitive characteristics.

These attributes include fluency, flexibility and originality of thinking; sensitivity to problems; and ability to transform the known.

27. Memory plays an important role in creative thought.

As studies like this one demonstrate, when asked to generate a new idea, our brains instantly direct us to what is most familiar: the past. Future situations are created by details we have salvaged from previous scenarios. Having a strong episodic memory can therefore be helpful in creative thinking.

28. Intelligence significantly influences creative thought.

Connected to the importance of memory in regards to creative thought, intelligence is a higher-order cognitive process that helps us understand creativity as a construct.

29. Many creative thinkers are dyslexic.

When compared to non-dyslexics in tests, individuals diagnosed as having dyslexia presented greater ability in creativity testing, especially in regards to innovative ways of thinking. Researchers are not yet certain if this connection is due to enhanced functioning of the right hemisphere, or if it’s inherent in nature.

30. Weaker social ties are better for creativity.

In regards to social media and creativity in the workplace, this study shows that poor social ties are more beneficial to creativity, while strong social ties have a neutral effect.

31. Being lonely at work hinders creativity.

While group brainstorming isn’t always the best method for idea generation (see #20), having other people around while you work has been shown to be beneficial when it comes to your own creative process.

32. Creative thinkers are often neurotic.

This study explores some of the many factors at play as to why creativity and neuroticism often go hand in hand. Whether it’s the rumination, the self-criticism, or the isolation, it’s a pattern that is hard to ignore.

33. Creative jobs create stress.

It’s a classic catch-22. While creative jobs are fulfilling and enriching in many ways, they often create anxiety by demanding commitment outside of regular business hours. Whether it means balancing family life with work life, or simply waking up on a Sunday to an overflowing inbox, the demands of a creatively satisfying career can wreak havoc on a relaxed home life.

34. Love, specifically long-term relationships, boosts creative thinking.

Although creative minds tend to struggle with relationships (see #18), a focus on long-term commitment enhances holistic thinking and, therefore, creative cognition. Compared to purely sexual encounters, which are often centred around the present moment and concrete details, which boosts analytical thinking, romantic love can help an individual think more openly.

35. Openness to new experience is a common personality trait in creative types.

In this study, openness to experience, over neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness, was found to be particularly related to creative personalities. This isn’t surprising when you consider the crazy experiences artists are often willing to go through for their work.

36. The personality traits of originality are similar to those of creativity.

Similar to creativity, originality seems to follow a format regarding individual dispositions. Originality in this study was found to be related to independence, personal complexity, self-assertion, and dominance, and to the rejection of suppression as a mechanism for the control of impulse.

37. Creative people get messy.

Embrace your disorderly desk and your chaotic studio space. According to this study, messy workspaces encourage creative thinking, while a clean space is advised for sound decision making. Inspiring idea generation in an environment that breaks free of tradition, cluttered spaces allow the brain to concentrate on the bigger picture.

38. Creative people tend to be eccentric.

While eccentric qualities do not necessarily promote creative thought, eccentricity shares many similarities to subtle schizotypy (see #13), as well as promoting other lifestyle choices that would benefit a creative practice.

39. Creativity seems to be on the decline.

Whether it’s due to iPad parenting, less time for imaginative play or standardized testing in schools, children are not performing as highly on creative tests as they once were. It’s not all lost, however. Maybe schools simply need to shift their emphasis to nurturing creativity.

40. Everyday creative activity is crucial for creative behaviour.

Similar to the notion that practice makes perfect, exercising the creative muscles in your brain is known to boost creative accomplishment.

41. Persistence has nothing to do with creative success.

Regardless of grit and determination, creative accomplishment relies more on other factors than simply putting the nose to the grindstone. However, perseverance does become necessary in regards to long-term creative projects.

42. Sarcasm increases creative thinking.

Also known to trigger conflict, sarcasm is now proven to boost creative thought by stimulating abstract thinking. Unlike other forms of humour, sarcasm does not necessarily produce a positive mood which creates a unique cognitive benefit.

43. Religious fundamentalists seem less likely to be creative.

According to this recent study, individuals who have high levels of faith have lower levels of creativity and lower levels of cognition.

44. Boredom can assist creative thought.

The tendency to experience boredom is linked to both creativity and curiosity. While boredom as a personality trait is not related to creativity, boredom as a passing state can be beneficial to curiosity and creation.

45. Males and females tend to have different creative strong points.

Although gender differences are not often discussed regarding creative potential, a new study has found that males and females approach creativity differently. Males tend to be riskier, displaying more originality and unconventionality, while females excelled at characteristics such as adaptability. When testing school age individuals, females outperformed men when it came to thoroughness of thinking while men out-performed women when it came to boundary-breaking thinking.

46. Creative people are often perceived to be poor leaders.

There is a common misconception that creative thinkers don’t make good directors. Whether it’s their idealism, their openness or a matter of bias, creative types may need to push a little harder in order to be seen as capable of responsibility.

47. Being disagreeable might gain creative thinkers more ground.

In a study that is still ongoing, researchers look at how being disagreeable gives the impression of having more original ideas.

48. Exercise enhances creativity.

If you’re feeling stuck, head outside for a walk around the block. Exercise has been proven to increase both mood and creativity, and mood boots cognition. It’s a win-win.

49. People who suffer from nightmares are more creative.

Beyond haunting night terrors, spooky dreams nod to the sleeping individual as being more empathetic, thinking outside the box, and having higher levels of creative cognition. People who have nightmares also tend to have more dreams in general.

50. People who dream a lot are more likely to be creative.

Dreams help us find solutions to the problems that burden us during waking hours as well as exercising free association. Active dreamers, as well as people prone to fantasy and openness, are said to have enhanced dream recall, benefiting memory (see #28).

51. Creative people are attracted to spaces conducive to creative activity.

Whether it’s Paris in the early 1900’s or New York in the 1970’s, certain locales at certain times will turn into artistic hubs. Cheap rent, supportive arts communities and access to jobs and funding are all factors.

52. Sympathy is beneficial to creativity.

Sensitivity to the people around you, being attuned to their needs and suffering, is a trait that fuels creative minds. Sympathetic situations explore new creative pathways and foster creative individuality.

7 Habits of Highly Creative Minds

1. Learn Something New Every Day

There’s one simple fact you need to know in order to succeed. In order to have the life you want. To live beyond the confined space of so-called life. And to spark your imagination so you can do the best work possible.

Here it is.

“Everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you. You can change it. You can influence it. You can build your own things that other people can use.” – Steve Jobs

Well said Mr. Jobs. Well said.

Creative minds don’t let other’s achievements affect their own creation of something remarkable. If you think you can’t do something – write a novel, code a website, or make a product you believe people will need – think again. Think about the fact that everything you see right now was created by someone. Did they have some sort of superpower?

No. They were a creative thinker who practiced the habits of creative thinking truly and passionately.

Developing creativity means learning something new every day. Go to Explore our library to find new tutorials and articles posted daily on topics relating to your freelancing niche. Take time between working on projects and running errands to acquire a new skill. This could also mean experimenting with new techniques for the stuff you’re already working on.

Here’s an example for you. My friend is a photographer and has just recently starting drawing. Every day he makes sure to draw something – a sketch, a concept, a character, anything. What he told me is that the more he draws, the more interesting his art becomes. New techniques and approaches to drawing lines helps expand the creativity of his work. You know what happened next? His photography became more interesting too.

Creativity happens when you make the effort to learn or try something new every day. Pretty soon it will become a habit. Have good creative habits and your mind will be happy.

2. Connect The Dots

Steve Jobs talked about it in his famous commencement speech. He said that creativity is just connecting the dots. Creative thinkers produce ideas by finding the relationship between facts. Facts merely on their own are useless until one sees the connection between them.

Creative thinkers produce ideas by finding the relationship between facts. Facts merely on their own are useless until one sees the connection between them.

When you see the connection between facts, you’re able to create something different.

This is what your clients are expecting. Even if they aren’t aware of it, they’re really going to you because they rely on a fresh perspective.

Developing a wide range of skills is a great way to discover the connection of ideas. Don’t just stick to what you’re “naturally” good at. If you’re a web designer, spending some time learning how to code will make your designs better. Why? Because you’re opening up new venues of creativity based on technical aspects you weren’t aware of. For example, you may have never thought to design a website with vertical text. But with a little exploration into HTML and CSS you learned not only how to technically create vertical text with CSS – but it opened your mind into the possibilities of using vertical text for web design work.

The connection between ideas doesn’t happen unless you explore a little. Start enhancing your natural gift with the skills that complement it. Writers can learn about photography, designers can learn about development, and developers can learn about design. Clients will thank you for your ability to see above and beyond. You may even spot something they weren’t aware of and offer your advice.

3. See The Potential and Make A List

Don’t stop thinking just because the technology, money, or support behind your idea doesn’t exist yet. It will someday. Reality is the result of imagination. What you put into the machine of creativity is the actual product or innovation you’ll get out.

You can create your best work based on the amount of vision you put into a single idea. Even Einstein famously said, “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.”

Some tend to think lists are too constraining for the creative mind. But this only partly true. A list telling you mundane tasks to do at a specific time sure can be limiting to creative thinking. But good list-making is about more than simple task management.

Creative thinkers use lists as mental roadmaps. As a place to see all their ideas before they get overrun by another wave of creative thought. Thomas Edison, John Lennon, and Leonardo da Vinci are among some of the creative thinkers of history that have used list-making as a creativity tool. Designers and illustrators can either make lists of concepts or keep a sketchpad to quickly draw out their ideas. When a new project comes up, it’s easy to be inspired when you already have all your creative thoughts written or drawn in front of you.

Here’s what you should do. Make a list of the things you want your freelance business to do, to be, and to achieve. Without editing, without thinking too much, and without believing something’s impossible – just write a list.

Now take a good look at your list. Keeping in mind the habits of creative thinking, what is stopping you from making the things on your list a reality? Remember that reality is what you create. Think creatively and you’ll find solutions to the issues that may come up when you’re working freelance. Besides – clients are trusting you to be a good solution-finder.

4. Don’t Shut The Door On Creativity

We all know it’s important to listen to other’s feedback. But if someone is telling you something can’t be done or shouldn’t be done without hearing the full story – don’t listen to them. Create without interruption. You don’t want someone knocking down your ideas before those ideas flourish.

You don’t want someone knocking down your ideas before those ideas flourish.

When it comes to being a freelancer though, we have to sometimes tone down our creative mind from getting too wild. But don’t do this right away. If a client asks for a logo with very specific requests, don’t immediately follow those rules.

First, design with your initial instincts. What could you do with their concept that they hadn’t asked for? Then tone it down to meet their requirements. Perhaps you could even include this concept design in your preliminary draft. It may even inspire your client to think of something they would want to include in the design. But if you’re going to do this, make sure most of the work you present them follows what they asked for. The point is to keep the door to creativity open. When you write, don’t stop to edit. This is when you loose all the good thoughts that prompted you to open a blank document in the first place.

Create now and edit after. Who knows where your creative mind will go?

5. Keep a Broad Perspective

As a business person (and that’s what you are as a freelancer) you know that the nature of business is to constantly evolve. Roll with the punches, adapt to demands, and carve out a new path in the direction of what a client wants. If you’re going to achieve all that, you’re going to need to think outside the box. Come up with creative ways to take one person’s vision and make it a well-rounded piece.

Many artists throughout history have displayed the effort to think beyond a one-way street. Picasso went through many stages of different styles of art. He had the Blue Period, the Rose Period, and the Surrealist Period, among others.

Over time he evolved. He changed his art to reflect the outside situations he felt and experienced.

As a creative freelancer, you need a broad perspective. Creative minds are curious about how the world works. They find various topics fascinating. This is especially important when it comes to working with your clients. The types of clients we work with vary. Many probably aren’t like you, but you need to know how they think in order to write the best copy, design the best website, or take the best photos for their type of business goals.

6. Say No A Lot More Than You Think

Sifting out the stuff that doesn’t work is just as important as keeping the things that do work. Saying no to clients is actually an important aspect in preserving your creativity. Getting overloaded by requests for extra work will reduce the quality of the work you already have on your plate. But it’s not just about saying no to clients. Saying no also means refining your creative ideas….eventually.

First, let your imagination soar. Write without editing and design without rules. But after that, reel in some of the crazy concepts you caught. Refining the results of your creative thinking and revising out the parts that don’t fit is what creates a solid piece of work.

7. Share Your “Ah Ha!” Moments

Two minds are better than one. Collaboration is key to developing ideas and taking them places you hadn’t thought of before. This habit goes hand in hand with connecting the dots.

It’s like picking fruit from a tree that grows apples and pears and bananas and mangos all on the same branch, instead of picking an apple from an apple tree.

Sometimes an idea flourishes when you talk about it with a friend, co-worker, or partner. Other times, you (and the people you’re talking with) end up with a long list of new ideas that strayed so far from the original thought. This is good. This allows you to connect the dots between all those ideas which, really, has more substance and depth than a singular concept.

Imagine a blank whiteboard on the wall. How many creative ideas could you write down in 5 minutes? What would that whiteboard look like? Now think of 5 creatively-minded individuals (you included) writing down all their creative ideas in the same 5 minutes. You get a different image in your head about what that whiteboard looks like now, don’t you? There’s more to explore and expand upon. It’s like picking fruit from a tree that grows apples and pears and bananas and mangos all on the same branch, instead of picking an apple from an apple tree. The variety of possible creative connections gets you drooling.

Freelancers have the great advantage of collaborating with other freelancers. Not only does the work of individual freelancers improve that way, but the entire value of freelancing in general goes up because we’ve just helped each other reach prime creative levels. People choosing to go the freelance hiring route will feel more secure in their decisions knowing that what they can expect from the freelancing community is a high standard for creativity and effective results.

7 ways to unlock your creative mind

1. Employ some form of exercise that allows you to focus

Galvin explains, “I find exercise to be imperative to creative thinking. Sometimes this is the only chance to think without any distractions. Find a form of exercise that helps you focus on your thoughts.” He stresses the importance of breathing. “There is a great book called ‘The Way of the Fight’ by Georges St Pierre which explains how we have forgotten the simple art of breathing properly. Focus on taking 5 deep breaths, as deep as you can once a day and see how it alters your perspective.”

Anthony states that, “leaving your desk and getting outside for a walk in busy times helps to reduce stress and generate fresh ideas.” Being glued to your monitor can sometimes have the opposite effect to being productive. That awkward feeling of staring at a blank page on-screen can be diminished by simply getting the blood moving by taking a brisk walk.

2. Discover music that inspires your work or alters your current mood

Like exercise, both agreed that music is an essential ingredient to improve productivity. “For me, music helps to create a mood before I even start a project. If I’m feeling flat and choose the right playlist, it can immediately break the block that’s in front of me.” said Galvin. One strategy that he employs when writing is to create a playlist of music that is in the emotion and style of the story that he is working on. “Often I will design a playlist from other soundtracks that influence the work”.

For Anthony, he actively uses music to set the pace and beat of the designs he is working on. “I find that the rhythm of the music provides a subconscious tempo to work with. I can even switch the music to increase the pace to reach a deadline.” He also advises listening to music you are familiar with, so as not to cause too much distraction. Music should form a part of the tapestry of the creative work you are developing, not detract from the focus.

 

3. Don’t be afraid to find inspiration in others

Creative blocks can seem like salt plains. Desolate blank canvases with no destination in sight. There is nothing more daunting than an empty void. It can sometimes take other people’s work to be the catalyst to begin your own.

Watching a film is the first step in helping Galvin find inspiration and unlocking that dreaded blank_space. “I always revert to film. For others I know a good book, art show or even simply a good article is enough to create that kernel of an idea that was eluding you.”, he says. “I choose film as it is such an emotive medium.” However, it is important to know when you are being inspired and when you are being too derivative. “If you are mimicking, then you are not being a creative, you are being a chameleon. Inspiration should be used to form sketches, not Xerox’s.”

Anthony on the other hand finds inspiration from looking at architecture, photography, paintings and even history. “Being a designer and illustrator I find that it helps to fuel innovation and reduce creative slumps.” Though the internet makes it so easy to find any of these things at the click of a button, often it is the interaction with the physical architecture, gallery exhibitions or history books at a library that is required. Get out and discover new inspiration if you are really stuck.

4. Adopt the perfect environment and time for creative inspiration

The work environment is a big factor in influencing your productivity. Anthony explains, “Finding the right balance between corporate and fun is important. Too many distractions like ping pong tables and video games will certainly reduce productivity, but an environment that is too corporate will strangle creativity.” The Protein Studio is a good example of a space that relies on differentiation. Open, relaxed, not too many boxes or distractions. A steady stream of interesting, creative people that ebb and flow through the workspace.

When it comes to deciding which hours are the most productive for creativity, Anthony and Galvin both agreed that for them, it is night time. Ranging from 10pm – 2am. There is very little to distract you, no phone calls or emails, and everyone else is in bed. When working late, there is a metaphorical stopwatch running and the added pressure of getting the work completed before bedtime. It is about finding which environment and which times work for you as an individual.

Galvin received some great advice from a former colleague which he found changed his working regime for the better. “…a good friend of mine asked me why I was working so hard. I explained that it was the only way that I could try to stop working at night or the weekends. He wisely pointed out to me, that as ‘creatives’ we are forever trying to work out how to work less. How to work ‘a normal life’ without late nights and weekends. When in fact we are often most productive at night. He told me to reconsider the notion. Try to work at night when you are most productive. When everyone is asleep. Then reclaim this time the next day… pay it back. He told me I would end up completing more work and work less hours. It proved to be true.’

5. Be true to your vision

Not every creative block is caused by your internal monologue. Sometimes external influences can pop up at exactly the wrong moment and plant a seed of doubt inside you. Maintain your vision from the beginning of your project to the very end. (See our other article ‘How to be creative: The Gervais Way‘ for a more detailed analysis.).

Try to block out the voices that speak the loudest and listen to the ones that speak with quiet intelligence and perspective. All projects that include creativity, such as writing, designing, painting are subject to change. They meander and weave, it’s part of the creative process, but the core vision should remain intact.

Galvin explains further by reflecting on his supernatural thriller, ‘Stricken’, a screenplay fit for Hollywood without a Hollywood ending (See ‘How Steve Jobs saved our story’). “Focus on what it was that made you want to make this thing in the first place. What drove you? What made you so passionate that you would spend your precious time on it.” Staying true to this vision can sometimes mean being ruthless with your work and your edits. “Don’t be afraid to chuck the baby out with the bathwater. If you introduced something that was not true – cut it out. Throw it away. Do not go quietly into the night. If you aren’t ruthless with your edits, you will never complete anything.”

Writer Neil Gaiman has some wise words on the matter. “Perfection is like chasing the horizon. Keep moving.”

 6. Travel and explore

The creative mind benefits hugely from travel. Travelling can mean exploring places you have never been before, but it doesn’t have to take you halfway around the globe. “… it can be as small as a weekend trip down the coast, or going to a place or suburb that you have never been to before. Discovering graffiti in the back pathways of Newtown can be just as successful in removing creative blocks as walking the back alleys of Venice.” 

Exploring does not need to be expensive. Providing a new environment brings new perspective and stimulates the senses. It can help to generate ideas for personal projects. Travel is as much about changing the walls around you as it is experiencing various cultures of influence. Find your happy place. It could be just around the corner or in another country altogether.

For Galvin he recommends artisan hotels. His favourite is The Petit Ermitage when working in Los Angeles. A boutique hotel that caters for finding creativity in everyone. The environment of art Deco rooms, Parisian music, live acts and private art collection throughout the hotel is the epitome of a retreat for the creative mind.

7. Be smart with your rest and manage your down time

Sleep. The enemy of the creative mind. Your thoughts churn. Your paranoia feeds. Yet it is the elixir we all need in order to perform and break through the creative blocks ahead of us. Knowing when to call it a night is incredibly important. As basic as it sounds, a good night’s sleep helps to fuel the creative day. ‘By resting your mind you can prevent tunnel vision on a project’, says Anthony. “Tunnel vision is a creative block that is particularly irksome. It is a trap that we all fall into. The world around us pulls in until our project is far in the distance waiting for us. But we can never quite reach the end of the tunnel. Having focus is different. And focus requires a well slept mind.”

For Galvin there is nothing worse than wasted time. ‘If you find yourself mindlessly scrolling through social media, you need to snap out of it and get up and be active. It’s the biggest distraction of the current creative mind. Maximising your spare time will help you get the most of your working time.’ His last thought on managing your downtime. “If you have kids and are struggling to overcome creative blocks… simply spend time with them. There is nothing more creative than a child’s mind.”

7 Things You Must Remember When You Love A Creative Person

1. Our minds don’t stop

This can be quite exhausting but ultimately, it keeps us going. Our minds are always bouncing from task to task, rarely finishing one project without already having a rough idea of where the next one will lead us.

This constant distraction does not mean we don’t care about the people around us – it also doesn’t necessarily mean we are trying to throw ourselves into work as a means of escaping our lives. Creativity, 24/7 simply drives us.

2. Expect highs – and lows

The mood cycles of a creative individual can be a bit hard to keep up with, but really, creativity is a cycle full of highs, lows and even plateaus – none of which are permanent. In fact, as you spend more time with your creative partner you may find that you begin to predict the changes as they happen.

3. We need alone time

This characteristic tends to cause quite a bit of conflict in relationships. However, don’t take it personally if your creative partner periodically disappears into their own little world. Even when we are far away from our tools, our mind is constantly working and looking for new ways to do things. Again, this does not mean you are not stimulating enough for us. A respectful, creative partner will be able to split their time and mind power fairly between their lover and their craft.

4. We feel deeper than most

What some people might be able to brush off without much thought, creative individuals get hung up on for days. Things people say to me tend to stick for ages until I write about them, or they wind up in a song in one way or another. This sensitivity is something to pay attention to – insults and arguments will sting more than you may realize. You can also expect that the good emotions will be so much stronger as well, with the love your creative partner feels for you being stronger than anything you know.

5. We battle ourselves

Creativity is, in many ways, an internal struggle with one’s self, experiences and motivation. Some days we come out on top and others, we can barely get out of bed. Again, this is a cycle that becomes easier to predict with time.

6. We need reassurance

Reassurance that we are on the right path with a project or even the relationship itself is always welcome. Because of our need to constantly wear our hearts on our sleeves, we are always wondering what people think of our work and, by extension, us. Support from the one person we love most can mean the world.

7. We are incredibly focused

Well, actually, we can also be incredibly scatterbrained. But the moment things all come together brings an incredible amount of focus and attention dedicated towards the creative task at hand.