What is Being a 'Creative'?

For me, for whatever my reasons are... I would cringe at calling myself 'a creative' and also would cringe at calling myself 'an entrepreneur'. I guess I have a paranoia that others would then label me 'a wanker' and that would be that.

Having worked in drama for most of my life I have always been surrounded by other creative people so working in a creative way and being a creative person for me has been just the way things are.

Unless I have had to be somewhere for a certain time, I have never set an alarm, never timetabled out my days; work has always just been integrated to me; it's never really been separate from my personal life - because my work to me has always been a personal thing.

I was rarely on time for school as a young person. School and the idea of it exhausted me. I hated wearing the uniform and going there every single day. Being cooped up in a building has never been for me and so when I settled into my career, I tried not to put myself back into an institution and any time I found myself feeling those feelings of constriction, I always allowed myself to leave.

When I was an employer unless the team had to be somewhere, they did their own thing and they could work anywhere they felt the most productive whether that be in their bed, in the office, in the library, in a coffee shop or on the beach - just go with your own flow. Where you work and when you work have no relevance - does it? Do the tasks epically well and do them on time. To get that team vibe; organise a team meeting. If you need to be somewhere for a scheduled work appointment... go there. If you need to ask a colleague a question... call them.

Some of the team chose to work in the office most of the time - that is what worked for them. Some chose a mixture of both. Some hated coming into the office and everything about it. Everyone did their work their way and they did it bloody well.

OK, let's say that the primary thing that creative people do is come up with ideas. Ideas are little puffs of magic that appear from what can seem like out of nowhere.

We hear of musicians writing an amazing song in ten minutes or a graphic designer coming up with an iconic design in seconds. That is their creativity at its peak. Their environment and conditions at that exact time are so ideal for that individual and their brain... and in that snap period of time; all of their thoughts, experiences and learnings that have been marinating in the conscious and the subconscious of the brain conjure up and out pops a magical and valuable little piece of genius.

Can creative people pop out little pieces of genius on demand? I'm sure for some people, the pressure might work for them, but not for all. Could you hire a creative person, give them a desk and a chair, tell them to work only between the hours of 9 and 5 and expect they will produce their best ideas and work?

So many people talk about how their best ideas appear on a walk, while in nature; while walking through a new city; while hearing snippets of conversation from passersby; while having a shower or while climbing a mountain. The sights, smells and sounds of different places will be constantly feeding the creative brain with new ingredients for future creations.

Is having set working hours in a creative role like being treated like a robot? We are being programmed and placed in a way which requires us to think on demand. Back into that school vibe that so many creative people cannot thrive in.

What is a 'Creative' and what do they need to thrive?