How to Unlock Your Full Creative Potential at Work
Powering through without a break isn’t the answer.
The idea of living up to your potential, especially at work, can feel daunting. We’re constantly trying to do well at our jobs, and we’re often expected to execute quickly, but the resulting pressure can be stressful and hinder our ability to be creative. The truth is, there’s power in thinking of an idea and then stepping away from it, allowing us to ruminate before we get to work.
Studies have shown that allowing for a period of rest, whether that means taking a walk or trying a quick breathing exercise, can help lead to our most creative ideas.
“Stimulating a large quantity of ideas does not result in creativity right away,” Steven J. Kachelmeier, Ph.D., the study co-author and Randal B. McDonald Chair in Accounting at The University of Texas at Austin, tells Thrive. “Rather, it takes a period of rest, or what creativity researchers often call ‘incubation,’ to transform an initially large number of ideas into an eventual advantage in truly creative ideas.”
The best part? Coming up with your next big idea doesn’t have to feel stressful or overwhelming. Here are tips to help you unlock your full creative potential:
Don’t wait for a burst of inspiration
People often assume they’ll come up with their best ideas when they get a spontaneous burst of inspiration, so they wait for that moment instead of actively brainstorming. According to Kachelmeier, this waiting period is a common mistake. “People often wonder if it helps to push themselves or if it’s better to just relax and wait for inspiration… Research suggests that both elements are necessary,” he says. Kachelmeier also adds that it’s important to start brainstorming, even if your ideas aren’t fleshed out yet. “The first stage is to find the incentive to work hard and drum up ideas, even if they are not particularly good at first… One needs to prime the pump to get the engine running.”
Map out your ideas, then take a break
If you think of a great idea, take some time to work on it, and then step away — even if the concepts you’ve come up with so far are not yet concrete. Once you return to your work, you’ll feel the creative drive to flesh out your best ideas. Consider taking a walk to call a friend or family member you haven’t spoken to recently, or take a “tech time out” to improve your focus. Stepping away from our work for even ten minutes can help us rebuild our attention muscle and allow us some time to reset.
Acknowledge the meaning behind your work
Taking a moment to acknowledge the why behind our work can help spark creativity and inspiration. “Think about the times that you struggled trying to solve a problem. You worked very hard, but without success. Then, maybe a couple of days later after taking a relaxing shower, the solution comes to you,” Kachelmeier says. As it turns out, your incentive to create — and the meaning and purpose that task gives you — combined with this vital period of rest is what truly unlocks your potential. “The point is that neither the work nor the relaxation are sufficient for creativity,” he concludes. “To unleash creative potential, both are necessary.”