Episode 15 | Creativity at Work

Friday, May 31, 2024

people working together creatively

We've all had a job that's boring or unfulfilling. Or maybe you love your job, but it's full of stress, pressure, and overwhelm. These experiences are universal. The good news is you can use creativity to problem-solve both ends of the spectrum.

​Today, we are talking about creativity at work.

Episode Topics

  • ​Common work problems​
  • ​Identify areas where you are already creative at work
  • ​Specific strategies for being more creative at work

Common Work Problems

Almost everyone must have a job to pay for the things they want and need. No job is perfect, but many of us find ourselves find ourselves working in a particularly undesirable role. Here are some common issues we see (and some of these are based on personal experience):

  • ​Lack of passion
  • ​Boredom and monotony
  • ​Overwhelming and too many challenges​

Luckily, we can use creativity to address all of these issues.

Identify Where You Are Already Being Creative at Work

Regardless of what you do for a living, there has been a time when you've improved something, solved a problem, or eliminated a minor irritant. If you can't think of anything, start by asking yourself some questions.
​"What motivates you about what you are doing?"
​If you are only motivated by the paycheck, that's fine. Consider that all jobs provide a paycheck, so is it worth it? Is there something that you are more interested in? Maybe this job is a stepping stone. Or the money is going toward a bigger goal, like saving to go back to school.
​"What are areas of my job that I do well?"
​Are you the go-to person for difficult customers? Acknowledge that. 
​"What do I care about?"
​Even if you are not in your dream job, leaning into areas of the job that you care about goes a long way.

Strategies for Being More Creative at Work

Identify the specifics

When pinpointing a specific issue or problem, it is easier to solve. This could be recognizing an emotion that comes up at work or identifying what about a task is difficult.

Outsourcing tasks

Outsourcing tasks you aren't good at or things you don't enjoy, frees up time for creativity.

Be the best at repetitive work

Repetitive tasks are boring. Infuse some creativity with mindfulness, concentrating on every step to become brilliant at the basics.

Start a new project

Starting something new is a great way to get the creative juices flowing.

Be on the lookout for small problems

Of course, there's no shortage of problems out there. Pay particular attention to small problems and annoyances that are looking for an easy fix.

​If you are in a managerial position, ask your frontline staff for feedback. They are likely to provide information on things you may not see. When you fix the problem, you'll make their job better.

Addition by subtraction

We often look to adding things to solve problems, but solutions can come from taking things away or eliminating something that's not working.

Collaborate with others

Bringing other people in on a project can open you up to different perspectives and ideas. 

Change your mindset

Find purpose in what you do. Focus on the aspects of the job you like rather than ruminating on the things you don't. Look at this job as an opportunity to learn skills for your next role.

Find new ways to do the same thing

In many jobs, we find ourselves saying and doing the same things over and over. Find new ways to do the same old thing. For example, how many different ways can you say, "Have a nice day?"

Spend more time on things that align with your values

Once you've identified your values, spend more of your workday on tasks that align. You will naturally feel more creative and energized.

The Four Q's

During this show segment, we introduce four ways to interact with the material presented: A question to answer, a quest to complete, an aspect of creativity we've noticed this week, and a quote to ponder.

Question:

What is the most creative thing you do in your job right now?

Quest:

Identify a problem you are having at work right now and brainstorm creative solutions.

Quality Creativity:

How Evie deals with the complicated prison system and trying to solve problems within the system.

Quote:

“Sometimes creativity just means the daily work of helping others to see a problem in a different way.”
​- John Badaracco

Have a Creative Week!

Episode Credits

The Everyday Creative is hosted by Evie Soape and Emily Soape. It is produced by Emily Soape.

Please drop us a comment or question at hello@theeverydaycreativecollective.com⁠. You can also find us on Instagram @theeverydaycreativecollective and Pinterest.

Theme Music: “Living Life” by ⁠Scott Holmes Music⁠. Available for use under the CC BY 3.0 license at ⁠Free Music Archive⁠.

Break Background Music: "Alive In It" by ⁠Ketsa⁠. Available for use under the CC BY 3.0 license at ⁠Free Music Archive

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