I often think about how hard this generation is willing to work to be able to build a life doing the things we love (i.e. our creative passions). Today, making a career out of something you love undoubtedly means being able to be the most creative version of yourself during every stage of your professional life.
Being the most creative version of yourself means committing to a life that is constantly open to design, iterations, and turning points. Being the most creative version of yourself means embracing a journey that unfolds along a winding path. Here at Prolog, we empower creators to embark on a journey that requires adventure, risk-taking, and a deeper exploration of the self.
Being the most creative version of yourself in your professional life requires a heightened level of both a) self-awareness and b) self-knowledge. First, ask yourself these questions to learn about where you’re already maximizing your creativity levels and what environments currently feed your creative intuitions:
- What does it feel like in my mind, body, and spirit when my creativity is connecting and fluid on all levels?
- When do I feel most comfortable and natural in exercising my creative impulses?
- In what environment do I feel present and balanced? Where do I find myself in a creative head-space most often?
Then, try these two techniques to become more aware and present to how you’re activating your creativity.
- When you are in your next creative groove, stop - notice - recognize - and then make note of it. There are some circumstances (e.g. who is at the table to collaborate with, time of day, resources available, etc.) that you can engineer for yourself in order to maximize your creativity. This is especially true for long-term projects.
- During a ‘creative block’, stop - notice - recognize - and then make note of it. Take note of the patterns, the obstacles, the players, and topics that seem to slow you down or make you feel stuck. Make it an active practice to disrupt them.
Being the most creative version of yourself in your professional life means making your approach to your work as a creator a true vocation. Creators ask big questions, tell real stories, and ground themselves in consistent reflection. Only when we are ready to address our professional lives with that deep sense of commitment can we maximize our identities as creators, and build a life and a world that mirrors our most meaningful visions and dreams.
Camille Simone Edwards serves as Director of Diversity, Equity, + Inclusion at the prestigious Friends Academy, owns her own consulting practice where she partners with clients to create new pathways to their goals related to personal and professional development, and is a lead creative mentor at Prolog.