What kind of Environment would Enable you to Become a Creative person?

You are in a creative environment when

A creative environment is one where people feel comfortable in expressing their ideas and where constructive support is given in the development and analysis of those ideas.

• Your ideas are listened to and investigated before being judged.
• You feel appreciated when you suggest new ideas.
• You can suggest solutions to other groups without feeling like you are intruding.

• Your manager spends time with you and explains the reasons and politics behind projects.
• You are given the freedom to do your work in your own way.
• You are not observed or judged all the time.
• You do not have to pass all of your messages through your manager.
• Experimental methods are encouraged.

• You feel comfortable talking with anyone in your organization (top managers included).
• You feel comfortable talking to your subordinates without having to order them about.
• There is someone that will listen to your ideas.
• The generation of good ideas is rewarded, verbally or otherwise.

• You are treated with respect and as someone who can contribute to the organization.
• You are appreciated for what you do.
• You are appreciated for who you are

How do you start creating this environment?

Of course, you say, this sounds great, but how can I create such an environment? The answer is simple (and nothing new!): do to others what you would like done to yourself. You will find that if you give creative space to other people, they will give you space to be creative back.

• You need to stop criticizing or prejudging other people's ideas and should actually encourage people to share them with you.
• It's your job to help people turn their unformed ideas into reality by giving encouragement and suggestions and by asking helpful questions.
• You must never steal their ideas or pretend they are your own or people will stop sharing their ideas with you.

• You must be bold and ask people for their ideas even if you appear slightly foolish for asking and even if you have a valid suggestion yourself. If you do not use their ideas, explain why not but remember to thank them anyway.
• Seeking opinions builds respect and confidence. It also builds a creative environment.
• "Seek first to understand, then to be understood." 

Empowering your Creative Side

Often times I’ll read or hear about people questioning their artistic skills. When doubting yourself and putting down your talents it’s all the more difficult to pick back up and understand your true creative nature. There are no specific “creative types” aside from those who build it inside their mind.

Society tends to lump these folks together, although there’s a lot more in common than creative thinking. Processing information naturally allows for the ebb and flow of new ideas. It comes with practice and letting your mind wander freely, followed by marking these abstract ideas and manifesting their presence artistically.

Sounds pretty convoluted I know. But it’s not actually difficult once you can push beyond the initial stages of discomfort. Accept all of the strange or awkward feelings as these are normal with any new process. And no matter what anybody assumes, money is not intrinsically a motivator! Keep true with your inner motives and study design to better yourself.

Developing Personality

Once you spend time training your mindset there’s almost nothing beyond your reach. Persistence andflexibility are two traits rooted into the creative types. When you are persistent and dedicated at following through on a project, you can be sure something will get done.

Similarly flexibility allows your creative side to push boundaries and move things about. This non-ordinary ideology makes for a very powerful state of being. When first building a small website wireframe or icon set you will progress quicker by boldly judging yourself and making changes. Projects are often lacking in smaller details and may require a few drafts before you’re happy.

Understand these traits and allow yourself to accept them in your daily workflow. If possible, take some time to slow down and appreciate the process of creation for each project. When you are building ideas in Photoshop it may be useful saving a few separate files to come back and compare. Alternative methods allow for greater choice – exactly what the wandering creative is longing for.

At the end of the day it’s passion that will keep you pushing forward. When dealing with stressful projects and looming deadlines it may become stressful. Understand that your work environment is very sensitive to emotions. Approaching each project in a calm and loving attitude will make for a more open and compassionate experience.

Check your Biological Clock

In the freelancer’s lodge, the debate over working nights or days seems to fluctuate in opinions. I find many offices and corporate entities enjoy rising early and spending the later portions of the afternoon grinding away in front of their computer screens. Likewise the team atmosphere seems to bring about a new energy when working under sunlight.

However many freelancers working alone or with smaller groups tend to enjoy the later hours during nightfall. This alters your thought patterns and creativity in many ways since your environment isn’t changing as much. This contrasts to early dawn and later afternoon when the sun is traveling through the sky above and displacing shadows.

It’s not required you fully understand how your rhythms function, but you should spend some time figuring out a routine which feels comfortable. Different people will enjoy working through the night as it’s more quiet and less prone to external distractions. Unfortunately it can dampen the mood if you truly enjoy the sunlight and daily society.