To Get Creative at Work, Step Away from Your Computer

When and where are you at your creative best?

That’s a question I posed to the Twitter community recently, after noting that my own creative juices tend to flow best first thing in the morning. The responses I received were telling. Here are some of my favorites:

• ChipGriffin: When I’m not trying to be creative and mind is just relaxed and wandering -- shower, bed, long drive, beach, etc.


• TedDemop: Creative best? Occurs in random spurts at unplanned times. Often early a.m. -- sometimes before sleep/sometimes upon awakening.


• comedy4cast: Usually when I’m trying to concentrate on something else. My mind wanders and…bingo!


• DanYork: In regular activities, I find some of my most creative times (in terms of idea generation) are when I’m out walking or biking.

Like me, these four members of the Twitterati spend hours upon hours at the computer and online each day. And yet, for all of us, creative thoughts or solutions often bubble their way up through our brains precisely when we’re away from our machines.

Now, don’t get me wrong: I’m all for the tools of technology that I write about here each week -- instant messaging, RSS, blogs, podcasts, wikis, etc. -- and know that they lead to terrific brainstorming sessions, project collaboration and the start of the creative process. But I also know that it’s those very un-technical activities -- eating breakfast, showering, taking a walk -- when the creative thoughts they produce finally crystallize for me.

How does technology work for you in the creative process? Take our Monster Poll.

You can also check out these other Monster resources on creativity:

• "Think Outside the Career Box"


• "A Walk, a Shower, Yard Work and a Long Ride"


• "Be More Creative"

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