I'd love for all aspects of my life to reflect the free, creative energy that I feel inside. Instead, I'm downtown in a high-rise office working a government job, preparing for the new fiscal year. Although my new position at work gives me a tiny little bit of creative freedom, this is certainly not the career I would prefer.
So what is a creative soul to do when life and responsibilities have placed us, at least for the moment, in the corporate environment?
There are a few tricks and tips that I've picked up along the way to make a less than desirable situation one that I can tolerate with a smile and (possibly) grow to enjoy.
1. Look for ways and opportunities to exercise your creativity in your current role.
The majority of my responsibilities in my new role are rather mundane. A lot of policies &
procedures, repetition, and dealing with other people's money. But there is a little glimmer of hope: the prospect to design a training class however I want to do it. Although it's not the full-fledged artistic life I want, it is a small way to merge my current reality with what I hope to be my future. There is a way to
2. Have something in your office/space that inspires you or keeps you mindful of whatever it is you love to do.
For me, that would be my notebooks. Of course I have the internet and my phone where I could jot down notes, but the pen and paper really do it for me when I'm trying to create. Having one of my pretty, fancy notebooks in sight helps me at times when I'm in a little funk. It keeps me mindful of the fact that I have a bigger purpose and destiny than sitting at the desk I'm at now. Although it might not be as easy for a musician or artist to keep their tools of the trade close by at work (if you have a job that let's you bring an easel or instrument to work, let me know!), it may still help to have something like a small picture you've painted or a copy of a demo cd, something like that. And speaking of my little notebook...
3. Take time to pause when inspiration hits you.
As I've stated in previous posts, my inspiration hits at the most inopportune times. Sometimes, it's right in the middle of a billing report. But I've learned to stop whenever I have that a-ha moment so I won't lose it. Acknowledging that moment is a breather, of sorts; a tiny escape from my routine. Then once my moment is over, I'm even more enthused to take care of what needs to be done at work so that I can nurture that creative spark into a full-blown fire. (But maybe that's just me?)
4. Use the job as a source of inspiration.
Maybe you have a wonderful view out of your window that would make an awesome painting. Or perhaps your building features unique architecture and you're the ideal person to photograph it. You may possibly have a cast of characters working with you that would make great fodder for a short story or comedy bit. Whatever it is, don't allow your job to just be a job. Look beyond that to see what could be.
5. Remind yourself that this does not have to be the end all, be all.
Sometimes, the best thing you can do for yourself is to stay mindful of the fact that you have not reached the end of the road just yet. As long as you're still breathing you have the opportunity to go beyond the current situation and do what you've always wanted to do. And if that is the case, why let yourself become depressed or frustrated over this temporary situation?
So ladies and gents, have you found yourself in a situation where you were working a "regular" job but had dreams and goals that didn't fit the "norm"? Or are you in that situation now? How did/do you cope with it?
On being a "corporate creative": Ideavist: Corporate Creatives
What one writer discovered after leaving her job: Day Job Believer
If your supervisor is open-minded and always looking for improving his or her managerial style, you may want to share this link with them: How to Manage Creative People
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