Attempting to be creative in the middle of a mess, with phones ringing, kids screaming and a million things to do is pointless.
Attempting to be creative in a neat and tidy room, without any interruptions, and nothing do do but focus on creativity is pointless.
Yup, I meant what I typed.
Your OCE (optimal creative environment) can not be determined by anyone but yourself. You know you better than anyone else, so let you determine how to be creative and where to be creative. The best way to find your OCE, is to try different things. If you know you can’t stand silence, try music, tv or even a white noise machine. If you aren’t sure, spend a few days with music and a few without. Determine which works best and stick with it. If you can’t handle the clutter, clean up. But, don’t be afraid to get it all messed up again by covering your desk with all your new, great creative ideas! The key is finding what works for you. But remember, what works now, wont always be what works, so you may want to mix it up. And, whenever you are trying something new, be sure to give it a few days before you say it works or it doesn’t, all of us have good and bad days in any environment.
For me, I do my best thinking curled up on my couch with my computer in my lap, the tv on a low volume with a repeat of a favorite show in the background (Family Guy, Simpson’s, Friends, Sex and the City…), and something to drink (usually non-alcoholic, but if I am realllly stuck, I will break out a glass of my favorite 2006 Far Niente Chardonnay). But, like I said, it doesn’t always work, so if it isn’t, I will sit in the middle of a busy Starbucks (the one at the corner of Antonio and Crown Valley in RSM works well) and people watch while I work.
Tell me: What is your OCE (optimal creative environment)?
Related posts:
- 10 bold moves for a more creative you – Day #5
- 10 bold moves for a more creative you – Day #1
- 5 Myths about being (or not being) creative
Kirsten
courtesy of @kirstenwright, what is your OCE? http://tinyurl.com/4brlj3
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