If you’re looking for actual ways to kill a creative, this isn’t the right place – go away because I’m scared of you. Below are ten things to be aware of as a creative employee or an employer that might kill motivation.
1. Make the deadline “ASAP.”
An ASAP deadline can feel like getting hit by a truck. There’s nothing more frustrating than not having a set time/due date. As soon as possible – that could mean three years from now. Giving a deadline not only keeps things organized it teaches prioritization of essential deliverables.
2. NO music.
No music is equivalent to drowning. Maybe this is more personal for me, but I can’t write without listening to movie scores. I feel like I’m writing a screenplay – matching the tempo to each letter I type.
Everyone has their quirk in order to brainstorm. Whether it’s sitting on an exercise ball, messing with fidget spinners, pedaling under your desk, doodling, or listening to the Forrest Gump film score — you have to let people utilize their outlet to deliver their best work.
3. Keep the office freezing.
My toes feel like they’ll fall off sometimes, but it’s okay because I have fuzzy socks.
4. Let the client decide on EVERYTHING.
There’s a reason creatives are hired to help. Have faith in your team. Once in a while, it’s okay to push back for something that is proving to be amazing. Showcase that passion you have for advertising by healthily challenging your client’s comfort zone.
5. No laughing allowed.
We all need a breather. When you take a break to laugh at something stupid, ideas can pop up. The less stressed you are, the better you perform. Share that goofy meme – brighten someone’s day and your own.
6. Comic Sans.
This doesn’t need an explanation. Comic Sans kills, and not in a good way.
7. Stay inside.
Working a nine to five Monday through Friday, you rarely get outside. It is confirmed that fluorescent lights don’t equate to vitamin D. Even if it’s just for five minutes, step away from the desk. Inspiration is found when you least expect it so treat yourself. Street signs can take the form of dancing tacos – let your imagination go haywire without the restrictions of concrete walls.
8. Change the work and don’t give feedback.
Nothing is perfect – mistakes happen and improvement is needed. But if there is no feedback on what was done wrong, then there’s no room for growth. You have to give your team the opportunity to fail because failure has the ability to manifest into something beautiful. Don’t let them sit there gathering dust – challenge them to be better.
9. Stay within the strict rules of writing/design.
While the rules are helpful to know, they can hinder your creativity. If you’re heavily focused on what you’re not allowed to do, you won’t to be able to create the impossible. So, break them and have fun. What was it, Miss Frizzle said? Oh, yeah.
10. Don’t bond with your coworkers
Low morale is a real thing, and if the team is unhappy, the work is too. Dive into employee appreciation, whether that be pizza, ice breakers, a fun round of apples to apples, or happy hour – a tedious project can be a blast with a happy crowd.
We’re free to do whatever we want two days a week. Let’s make the most out of the five days in between. I hope this article encourages you to create a healthy work environment where you don’t feel like you’re living only for the weekends.