Creativity can play a big part in career success. People with original, innovative ideas are (should be!) really valued by employers and business owners. They are also more likely to be entrepreneurial themselves and think of better ways of doing things.
Some jobs are very creative. For instance, if you work as a graphic designer or an artist, you probably spend every day being artistic. Other jobs tend to be more technical and practical – but even if you have a desk job looking at spreadsheets all day and being on Zoom calls, choosing to embrace your creativity can significantly advance your career.
We’ve shared lots of articles in the past how you can be more creative via our sister brand Creative Jungle Company, see here.
Today though, let’s delve into some of the benefits, then maybe check the other articles out for practical ways you can go about it. You got this!
Here are six ways creativity can benefit your career
1. Creativity Helps With Problem Solving
Various studies have found that being creative helps to expand your mind so you think in more innovative ways. This can help with problem solving in a few ways; it means you are more likely to come up with original, unique solutions to problems, and it also means you will feel more confident in your problem-solving abilities - rather than seeing just 2-3 options in difficult situations, you may come up with 10! It could be the 9th onw that has a profoundly positive impact in the long term. This is great for business owners and managers, but in reality it will help anyone who regularly has to make decisions at work!
2. Creativity Improves Your Design Skills
Creativity can also help to improve your design skills. Painting, drawing and knitting will all teach you about perspective and design, and this will boost your ability to create new systems and products. This is particularly useful for anyone who has an innovative job such as a graphic designer or an engineer, but it can benefit anyone; right now design skills are more in demand than ever before, with many businesses are looking to hire people with general design skills.
3. Creativity Reduces Stress
It doesn’t matter how skilled you are; various studies have found that being creative helps to reduce stress. It doesn’t matter if you are writing in a diary, gardening or upcycling; so long as the activity is creative, it will help to lower your cortisol levels. This will make you feel less frustrated and anxious, and it will also help you to sleep better – so if you have a big presentation at work coming up and you want to make sure that you do your best, consider relaxing with a creative activity the night beforehand. Check out this blog on creative activities to suit your mood, for lots of ways to do that if you like.
4. Creativity Makes You Less Passive
Do you find that you are passive in your career? If so, creativity could help you to feel more proactive. Being inventive and crafting will motivate you and improve your confidence, and it will also help you to discover new ways to do things. This will encourage you to be the boss of your own life, rather than simply reacting to things as they happen around you. Is this something your future self would want for you?
5. Creativity Gives You Connections
Creativity can also give you valuable connections. It is possible to meet lots of like-minded individuals through creativity; maybe you will join a forum where you can connect with others, or maybe you will take a virtual creative class. This allows you to meet similar people with similar interests, and over time these connections can help with your career -especially if you decide to open your own creative business!
6. Creativity Helps You To Focus
Finally, creativity can also help you to focus. Our society comes with a lot of distractions. Constant social media notifications and email alerts make it very easy to get distracted, even when we have something important to do – but research has found that finding a creative hobby (such as journaling or sketching) makes it easier for your brain to focus on one specific task. This is because creativity improves your concentration levels, so when you work you will get more done!
So, there we have it, 6 ways creativity can benefit your career. Got any more to add?
How M.Y.O and Creative Jungle can help you get creative
If you want to have a go at getting creative at home, check out our online creative classes, bring your team for a virtual group class, follow us on instagram for some inspo or get a creative kit from our sister brand Creative Jungle Company!
Whatever you decide to do, keep in touch with that creative side of yours, it's a real superpower. Creativity is a human's highest cognitive function, so is worth exploring.
Sam
Co-founder