The Duality of Creativity vs. Focus

Last year during my own personal development journey, I started to notice that I had two very useful but often opposing times in my work. It made me realize that there are different energies or spaces during the day for different needs. When I am in my creative space, I need to be open with no set structure. Often unconsciously my tools and systems go out the window, my desk and office are a mess. When I embrace this space, creative ideas for every aspect of my life come flowing almost effortlessly. Enveloped in this space, I notice that I can listen to music with words without it distracting or hindering me.  I used to view my procrastination as a negative, but now, looking back at it, realize that it was my creativity wanting to come out and play.

Looking back at my past, I have always considered myself a creative and quite artistic person. When I was a photography student, I often had headphones on in the darkroom to block out distractions and to “get in the flow.” I recall being in the darkroom for hours (up to six to eight hours at a time) able to crank out photo after photo with very little need for intellectual thought. It was like I was riding a wave of energy. I also noticed this pattern while writing my blog. The words and ideas seem to flow right out of me, often triggering new ideas, sometimes even making it hard to keep up. On the flip side, when I am in this space and someone is helping me, giving suggestions, editing, or correcting my work, it completely kills the flow. The reason for this is that it pulls me out of the creative space and down into focus. It makes me analyze, rather than trust.

In this focus space, it is the exact opposite of the creative space (a duality). I often need my structures and systems. I cannot focus without them. My desk needs to be clean and organized. My lists need to be created and in front of me. I often listen to music without words while in this space. In my focus space, time moves much slower and I can only get a few things done during the day. However, I get them done thoroughly and to completion. In this space, I can take and may even require suggestions, editing, and correction.

These two energies simultaneously kill each other but cannot function without one another. I lived the last eight years 95% in the focused energy, telling people I was no longer creative or artistic; that it had just plain disappeared.  But what I realized was that there are different energies for different needs. Both creativity and focus play different and important roles in my life.  It takes constant cultivation and they both need to be embraced.

In reigniting my creativity, I realized that this is a space of trust in myself and my process and that I often need to just let go and go with the flow. I also have noticed that my creativity is directly linked to my environment, so when I need to tap into my creative space, it helps to shake up my environment. Sometimes I just need to let my space get a little messy. Focus seems to come to me as my default function and I need to learn to turn it off more, but also know that it is a crucial part of me getting things done and being a productive entrepreneur. Learning to know the strengths of each energy and using them accordingly has allowed me to feel more full and centered in my day-to-day life.

How do you use different spaces or energies in your life and in your work?  Also, let me know topics you would like me to cover in the future.  I love an active conversation.