Creativity vs. Productivity

"Think outside the box!”

“Let’s be really creative about this!”

“And let’s do it in the next 20 minutes.”

Entire books are written about being maximally productive and efficient, and managing time well. Hey, I’ve written lots of stuff about those topics! Ditto for creativity. But what I’m discovering, with myself, and with some of my clients (all of whom are quite successful), is that sometimes productivity and creativity are at odds with each other.

Can you force yourself to be creative on demand? I think that there are indeed ways to “flip the switch.” You can use the adrenaline of a deadline to come up with stuff, and sometimes really good stuff.

BUT – there is something special that happens in a vacuum, meaning an unhurried process. It’s the equivalent of a blank canvas for an artist. When you’re trying to be efficient, particularly to meet a deadline, it’s natural to begin eliminating possibilities quickly, so as to focus on the apparent best path. This is oftentimes just fine, if “a” solution is what’s needed.

When a spectacularly creative answer is called for, however, “a” solution may not be enough. In that case, room (time) needs to be made to foster a relaxed, “possibility” approach. This can require enormous discipline in the face of our usual, “get it done, get done now” thinking. It’s a question of how much better the solution might be with more time, resources, etc., and whether the result warrants that additional expenditure.

I created a model that I think is useful in thinking about this. It’s called the Results Triangle (see graphic – thanks to my talented colleague, client and friend, Jonathan Colton, for improving my graphic). The idea is that every result has three dynamic components to it – time, resources and quality. It’s dynamic because when one component moves, the others typically do as well. For instance, if a deadline moves up, then typically either more resources have to be put on it, or the quality will decrease. Similarly, if an upgrade in quality is sought, then either more time and/or resources will be required.

When leading people, or when being asked to produce a result (which happens every day for all of us), this model is useful in agreeing upon expectations. Differing expectations is a leading cause of dissatisfaction with communication.

When kids are playing, or when adults are in a retreat mode, it’s amazing what creative thinking emerges. Pressure can produce one kind of creativity, but relaxation produces another. It can feel counterintuitive to go into a relaxed, play mode when working hard to produce a terrific result. But being able to hold the paradox of being disciplined enough to relax is an attribute worth developing.

Coaching tips for balancing creativity with productivity:

1. In the overall scheme of what you’re trying to accomplish, how important is creativity to this project/task? Scale it 1-5, with 5 being Really Important. If it’s a 4 or 5, creativity is more important than efficiency. Make time.
2. What kind of process can I/we set up for when we need to go into a relaxed, playful, mode, to set up a creativity vacuum? Consider working with a coach on this.
3. What practice could I set up in my life so that I experience that kind of relaxed creativity on a regular basis? For me, I do several 8-hour drives during the year, to get to dog agility competitions. Much as I’m not crazy about the long trips, I find my creativity starts firing on all cylinders during those drives.

Efficiency, productivity, and time management are, of course, important. Knowing how to discern what level of creativity is called for, and having a process in place to ignite it, will actually enhance these areas as well in the Big Picture.

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E-mail: ginger@magellangj.com
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