Creativity in remote work - how to stay inspired

Remote work has transformed the way we approach our jobs, providing the needed flexibility and the ability to focus without office distractions. But how does going remote affect our creativity and inspiration?

Perceived challenges for staying creative

• Remote workers lack spontaneous interactions and brainstorming sessions that can spark creativity in a traditional office setting.

  Reality check: Research done on the habits of the most creative people in human history proved that most times creativity needs introspection, incubation, and quiet time to flourish, so if you only have a home office setting that provides you with a quiet space, you will have a greater chance to come up with a great solution or idea than in any office setting.

• Monotony in working from the same place alone can hinder creativity.

  Reality check: The diversity of experience is an important factor in enhancing our creative potential, but breaking the monotony is easier in a home setting. It is enough to change the physical place where we work (e.g. go to a terrace or another room) to stimulate our brain and fresh thinking. If we had to name a single factor critical for creativity, that would be an open mind, always ready for new experiences and unbiased perspectives.

• Remote workers may experience mental fatigue due to prolonged screen time, virtual meetings, and reduced physical activity.

  Reality check: Mental exhaustion can indeed inhibit creative thinking and problem-solving abilities. However, this is how office reality usually looks like - a whole day of meetings (mostly virtual anyway), pressure, time constraints, office noise, distractions, etc. Remote workers can better manage their time starting the day with a fresh mind not exposed to the stress of commuting, structuring their day in a more manageable way, eating healthy home food for lunch, and using time usually devoted to commuting to regenerate.

Nurturing creativity in remote work

1. Establish a dedicated workspace that separates your professional life from your personal life. A well-organized and inspiring workspace can help boost your creativity and focus.

2. Schedule regular breaks to prevent monotony and burnout. Use these breaks to step away from your desk, take a short walk, or few deep breaths to clear your mind. Taking breaks can re-energize your mind and spark fresh ideas.

3. Embrace collaboration tools and video conferencing platforms to connect with colleagues and engage in virtual sessions to exchange ideas and inspire each other. Regularly communicating with team members can help creative energy flow and ignite fresh ideas in yourself.

4. Bring diversity into your daily routine - attend virtual workshops, webinars, or conferences to expose yourself to new ideas and perspectives. Adjust your work schedule to align with your natural creativity peaks and devote time to the most important tasks during the time you are the most creative and productive.

5. Incorporate mindfulness and creative techniques into your day - journaling or sketch-noting can help you tap into your creative reservoir.

6. Expand your horizons by seeking inspiration from diverse sources - read books, watch documentaries, explore different cultures, or engage in hobbies outside of work. This can inject fresh perspectives into your creative thinking. Research shows that creative breakthroughs come into the picture when insights from one discipline are leveraged for another and we can find non-obvious connections and patterns to transition the outputs.

Enhancing creativity is a personal journey, and what works best for one person may not work for another. Experiment with different strategies and adapt them to your remote work situation to find the approach that helps you unlock your creative potential.

Enjoyed this post and are you ready to embark on your creative journey?

Start with our basic creativity training to build a foundation for your team's creative growth!