Workplace Issues

Career Connect Unleash your creativity You don’t need to be a creative professional to draw upon your creative talents. For problem-solving, efficiency, or innovation, your inner creative side is a huge asset. Julie Tyios, Special to QMI Agency

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Work — although fun at times — can see you spending a majority of your day pursuing reactive work, which are things we must do as a result of other people’s demands on us.

When you focus on the reactive and the routine, you stop actively thinking about possibilities and innovation. Work becomes merely a big to-do list followed by a game of catch-up for the other tasks you really need to get to.

Our creative minds are intrinsically linked to problem-solving and innovation. For many of us, career success is defined but what we can accomplish in our roles. We all have the potential to solve big problems, but it’s hard to make magic happen if we don’t set time aside to unleash our inner creativity.

It’s not a matter of being better at your job or needing to use time more wisely (although it never hurts to streamline), but a matter of focus. Your creative mind needs time to take centre stage.

Set aside time each day to get the juices flowing. Minimize distractions and jump in. Pay attention to what inspires you. I love watching TED talks — these highlight the world’s foremost thought leaders and innovators, and their accomplishments.

Design a creative process for yourself. What gets the ideas flowing? The more routine you are in your approach, the easier it will be to quickly get yourself in the creative mode.

Start by focusing on a challenge or problem you have at work and looking for a way to solve it. Brainstorm. Get messy. Try different approaches. Bring colleagues in to the creative process — synergy can often bring about solutions.

Nurturing your creative side is one of the best ways to help you overcome challenges and solve problems throughout your career. Whether you aim high within your current company or are looking for your next role, creativity is a skill that can help you reach your goals.

Julie Tyios is the marketing manager and chief matchmaker at Vestiigo.com, a career destination for young professionals. Contact her at julie@vestiigo.com.

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