Creative Solutions
How many times a day do you “get creative”? This is a phrase I hear in meetings and conversation all the time. When one is trying to solve problems, the bizspeak is “let’s get creative,” “let’s find some creative solutions.” It can be interchanged with “pro-active.”
But what does this mean? Does one ever choose to get “reactive”? Is there ever a time when you want a standard, off-the-rack answer to a problem? I’m thinking that indeed if you have an easily solved problem, the last thing you want to do is get creative because that would waste energy, would suck out time to be creative for real!
When I want to be creative, I want to also feel that buzz, that little rush of whatever that comes along with it. Finding just the right word, putting two colors together, crafting a texture or line that is pleasing - this usually isn’t something that will directly solve a problem. When I “get creative,” I do it for ME. IN that respect, it is proactive. It’s pro-me. And if it handily solves a problem (”how can I get through this meeting?” “what will I give Aunt Maude for her birthday?”), then I am doubly happy.