Finding my creative side

When the job interview was over, I shut my laptop, closed my eyes, and considered how it went. On the plus side, I had done a good job of selling myself and how I could help the company. I shook my head though thinking about how I had responded to one question in particular. The interviewer had gone off script and asked me about a decision that a leader higher up in my organization had made and I had to carry out. I gave my response, but I felt like it lacked clarity. I fretted that I looked weak.

I’ll probably relive the conversation in my mind for weeks to come. When I’m put on the spot, instead of just being myself, I tend to include too many filler words like umm and ahh that make me appear unorganized and uncertain. When we’re relaxed, when we’re comfortable in our situation, we tend to be much more creative and in the moment.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about when I’m the most creative and when I’m not.

Image by Virginia Magat via Pexels.

Putting a finger on the issue

Schools tend to love group assignments. You know the drill. In high school, the teacher would point to two other kids and group you with them and ask you to complete the lab assignment. In college, the prof would tell you to team up in groups of three or four and ask you to analyze a case study together. In both situations, you’d hope and pray that the other students would fill their end of the bargain.

You’d inevitably meet to talk about the assignment and need to brainstorm and deliver in the moment. There’s nothing that kills creativity more than that. I hated those kind of situations, still hate them today.

I touch on having to deliver in the moment in an English class I had in college in my blog, Creating on the Fly, on the Heart of The Matter. I came close to rethinking my love of writing and my life’s work thanks to that class. I became a better writer because of it, but I considered changing my major for the longest time.

Image by Virginia Magat via Pexels.

Freedom to be me

In the end, I think we’re most creative when we feel good about ourselves, when we can be authentic, and know that no matter what we come up with, how wonderful or how crazy, it’s a safe place and others will add to our idea or keep it safe. For me, I’m the most creative when I know I can be me and know that others around me have my back. I know I can be most most authentic. Yes, creativity can happen in emotion-charged, competitive environments, but it tends to not work for me. I think creativity in those situations works in spite of the situation, not because of it.

In any event, I’d love to hear what you think. Check out my story and let me know what you think. When are you most creative?