Balancing Productivity and Creativity at Work

We are all constantly on the lookout for the next great idea that could change our business. Regardless of what industry you are in, an open, creative mind can have a huge impact on your success. Even in my field of real estate investing, which many people might not consider to be particularly creative, I used my creativity to develop the concept for my company, USA Portfolio Real Estate, which combines real estate investing and property management services. Sometimes, in an effort to get as much done as we can, we neglect our creative sides, which can actually really stifle our progress. It is important to find a balance that works for you.

“Creative activity could be described as a type of learning process where the teacher and pupil are located in the same individual.” - Arthur Koestler

Prioritize what needs to get done.
Ironically, sometimes we actually need to prioritize our creativity in order to get things done. Look at your to-do list for your business, and decide what needs to get done first. If it’s something creative, then give yourself a session to really work through it and brainstorm ideas without feeling rushed. Don’t pressure yourself by thinking about everything else on your list - focus solely on the task at hand. If your top to-dos are more functional, productive items, then plan your schedule accordingly, but give yourself creative time later in the week to help your mind relax.

Balance your schedule each week.
Every business or entrepreneur has a different schedule, and you have your own unique outcomes that you are working towards. Over time, you should develop a nice, natural rhythm for your work every week that lets you get the ‘productive’ things done, but also allows you some time to really germinate creative ideas with no time pressure. This will help you get in the habit of being more creative regularly, without letting it impede your progress on other tasks.

Don’t neglect your ideas.
If you have an idea that you really love and want to expand on, don’t just file it away for later. Give yourself the time to think about it and work on it while it is still fresh in your mind. If you can’t focus on your idea right when it comes to mind, schedule a time to work on it as soon as you can. Remember that your creativity is just as important as your productivity, and they often go hand-in-hand.

“The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas.” - Dr. Linus Pauling

Don’t put too much pressure on yourself right away.
When starting a new venture, it can be very tempting to set lofty ideals for yourself, which makes it hard for you to actually feel like you are getting anything done. Start small, and work up to the big, highly creative ideas that you want to work on. If you put lots of pressure on yourself right from the get-go, it can be really hard to actually make progress, and you will likely feel disappointed. Be understanding with yourself, and make sure to give your brain space to just wander sometimes - you never know what amazing things you may come up with.

By putting some effort into managing your creativity, you will find that achieving your desired outcomes is easier and less stressful.