Can creativity happen anywhere? Are some places better than others? Have you given some thought to your own creative space; where you are most productive; or what kind of sights, sounds, and attributes that you respond to?

In this session, you will work on building your own creative environment and what you can do to make your space ideal.

What Does a Creative Environment Look Like?

People often think that creativity and insight comes from being in a profound, awe-inspiring place. The reality is that, for most people, a complex environment can be too distracting for deep, prolonged thought to occur. Additionally, most of us do not get to see these awe-inspiring places on a daily basis. The most we see is our usual workspace, whether that’s a cubicle, home office, or somewhere else.

The truth of the matter is that idea generation and implementation of ideas takes place in normal settings. A great example of this concept is author Anthony Trollope. Trollope was the most prolific writer of the Victorian literature era, but he did his writing in addition to working for the post office. His writing routine involved writing for three hours each day prior to having breakfast. He disciplined himself to write 250 words in each 15 minute time period, whether he was writing at home or on a train while he travelled for the post office.

Building your best creative environment is a highly individualized activity. What worked for Trollope may not work for you. When trying to create your best thinking environment, pay attention to events that spark your thoughts.

• When are you the most creative?
• Do you find ideas on long drives, over a stimulating conversation with a friend, while reading, or when walking the dog?
• Do you find the best time for thinking in the early morning, afternoon, or night?

Getting to know your own creative rhythm and implementing some general tips will help you create the right environment.

Tips for Building Your Own Creative Environment

Work in an easy and uninterrupted concentration. Interruptions lead to broken thoughts. Trying to think in a disruptive environment can be extremely frustrating and stressful, especially when you are on a deadline. If you work in a cubicle where noise and distractions are just a reality of life, see if you can book time in a boardroom or meeting room. The quiet will allow you time to think.

Make sure you have everything you need. This could include pens, paper, sticky notes, highlighters, coffee, music, etc. Each time you have to get up from your workplace is a distraction. Make sure you have what you need to minimize interruptions.

Take a break when you need to. When you are feeling like you need some time and distance away from the issue you are trying to solve, take a break. Scheduled breaks can actually help increase creativity. Having time away from an issue can help to forge unexpected connections and creative solutions.

Make your creative space your own space. When you are creating, make the space you are working in your own. Put up pictures that have personal significance. Play your favorite music. Light your favorite candle. Construct this space so that you feel comfortable and in control. Try to make your space as unique as you are.

Exercise and eat well. Exercising and eating well can help increase our mental and physical endurance. When you do not eat properly, your brain is not functioning at its optimal level. Creativity is not just about cognition. You need your physical self to be well maintained too!

Get plenty of rest. Coming up with creative solutions to complex problems can be strenuous at times. Make sure you are well rested. Working with complex problems when fatigued can result in feeling ineffectual and frustrated. Worse still, because of your fatigue, you may jump at the first solution that comes to mind just to have the problem solved.

Clear your mind. Even with an optimal creative space, when your mind is cluttered, you will have trouble getting into the creative groove. Use some relaxation techniques to bring focus and direction to your thoughts. Try deep breathing exercises, taking a short walk, or some guided meditation. One helpful technique is to close your eyes and imagine your mind is like a room with many doors. Behind each door is an issue that you are thinking about. Imagine closing each door, one by one. When you have all the doors closed, you are standing in an empty room and have figuratively closed these issues from your mind.

Remember that building your creative environment is a highly tailored, personal process. There is no one perfect pattern that will do the trick. No one can tell you where you think best or what your best thinking environment looks like. Building your creative environment takes time and a high degree of self-awareness.