5 Ways to Get -- And Stay -- Creative
New York, NY (PRWEB) July 31, 2013 -- The jobs that are most in demand today are those that employ creative skills, according to 24 Seven’s 4th annual Salary and Job Report.
As we look at how to fill these in-demand jobs, it is important to note that creativity is not a skill that can be taught, but more a way of thinking that can be cultivated. Everyone has an outlet where they express themselves in different ways – even accountants, financial types and computer programmers. TS Elliot, one of the most famous US poets, sold insurance!
In talking regularly to those on the front lines of creativity as talent and executive recruiters, certain trends emerge in how they are able to continue to nurture a creative way of thinking. Here are some tips that you can activate every day:
• Take breaks during the day
Walk away from the computer! Put down the phone. Even if you just take a walk outside the office to get a sandwich, let the sounds, smells and rush of the outdoors into your head. Not only is it a good distraction, but as we all know, ideas come from all around. Some of us think of ways to solve problems in the showers, others might see the solution in a sign on a door or on top of a taxi. You won’t know unless you take a step away.
• Listen to music
Music is playing everywhere we go these days from the elevator to the supermarket. Sometimes we just need to stop and listen to hear it. Many of us plug into our devices daily just to be inspired. But to keep it fresh, mix up your play list on a daily or weekly basis!
• Don’t be so hard on yourself
We all need to take the pressure off ourselves in order to let the ideas flow. Whether it’s a deadline, or a problem that gets you stuck, not everything has a simple answer. Sometimes you need to think on a challenge overnight. Good ideas can come from anywhere as David Ogilvy used to say. Step away from the problem, talk with others, and give yourself a break.
• Utilize a notebook
At a recent conference, the CMO of Geico talked about the evolution of the Geico Gekko and how the idea was presented to him on a cocktail napkin. It might sound trite and old fashioned, but this is how ideas take shape. We write them down. Many of the creatives we see for job interviewsmake lists, they keep journals and write ideas down. They come back to those ideas and then give them dimension. Don’t miss a chance to jot down thoughts. It’s a springboard for a big idea.
• Have Fun
One thing we have seen as recruiters of creative talent is that the people who enjoy their jobs the most are those that are doing things – not sitting at a desk. Make your job fun and the creative ideas will follow.
About 24 Seven
As a strategic resource for talent management, 24 Seven helps creatively driven global brands identify, recruit and secure game-changing talent. Our innovative approach combines global reach, industry expertise and market intelligence to deliver top performers that advance the unique business goals of our clients.
Ranked by Crain’s New York Business as the 5th Largest Executive Recruiter in New York, we are the go-to talent source supporting the world’s top teams in Fashion, Retail, Marketing, Advertising, Interactive/Digital, E-commerce, Design, Beauty, Events and Sports/Lifestyle. Our strategic recruiting professionals have either personally worked in or recruited exclusively for the industry practice they serve. Their hands-on experience makes them experts at perfectly matching candidates to clients. For more information, visit http://www.24seventalent.com.
Media Contact: Toni Lee, 203-246-7524, tlcomm(at)optonline(dot)net
Lauren Hand, 24 Seven Talent, http://www.24seventalent.com, 212-966-4426 Ext: 1531, [email protected]
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