Finding Joy in Creativity: Why it Matters in Your Work

Finding joy in creativity is what keeps me inspired. I love the work I do – and I get such joy out of the creative process. When an idea takes shape, evolves and turns into something meaningful it’s a real buzz. Creativity isn’t just a skill I use in my work; it’s that spark of joy that makes everything worthwhile.

For a period of time, I didn’t get to use my creativity at work as much as I would have liked to, and that’s when I started watercolour painting. I became completely drawn in, knowing that the creativity inside me was just waiting for a way to be expressed. Now once again I get to channel my creativity through work and for that I am truly grateful!

There’s a moment in any creative process where you see things come together, and it clicks. It’s not about the end result, really—it’s about the process. The brainstorming, the problem-solving, the moments where something just works. It’s like Jonah Berger says in Contagious: How to Build Word of Mouth in the Digital Age: ideas that connect emotionally are the ones that stick. And when you love what you’re creating, it’s much easier to make that connection.

Even in work that seems serious or heavy, there’s room for joy. Take the Dumb Ways to Die campaign by Metro Trains in Melbourne. It’s a safety campaign, tackling an important but sombre topic—railway accidents. But they didn’t go with fear or guilt to get the message across. Instead, they created something funny, quirky, and catchy. The campaign became a viral sensation because it didn’t just deliver information—it made people feel something.

In my own work, I know that joy is what makes it meaningful. Sometimes I get lost in what I’m doing and find that hours have passed. I love finding ways to tell stories that resonate or create designs that leave an impression and bringing the whole think together into a cohesive package.

When I started my business, I wrote about that leap into the unknown in ”Lessons from the Leap.” What really fuelled me back then—and still does—is the belief that what I create can help people. Whether it’s helping a client reach their audience or solving a tricky problem, that sense of purpose brings so much joy to the work I do.

Finding joy in creativity doesn't mean you have to be the next Claude Monet or ignoring practicalities. It's about finding that spark within that we all have, and being courageous in bringing it out and sharing it with the world. People can feel it in the way your communicate and the way you connect.

This is what I try to carry into every project. It’s not just about getting things done—it’s about loving the process, finding that spark, and creating something that matters. I hope the joy I feel in my work shines through in everything I create – including this post!

What brings you joy in your work? I’d love to hear about it, so feel free to share your thoughts.