Did you know there’s an optimum sound level for creativity? It’s 70 decibels. It’s about the amount of volume you’d hear due to ambient noise at a coffee shop. I guess there’s a reason some people feel extra creative at coffee shops. There’s also an ideal temperature. Warm.
I’m a firm believer in creating an atmosphere that’s conducive to creative thought. I have an excellent Spotify playlist I work with. I start every morning with my perfectly roasted and brewed cups of coffee. I’m all about that stuff.
But I can’t afford to let my creativity stop when I’m outside my ideal situation.
Here’s the deal. I go on vacation. I’m forced to work from a hotel room with slug-slow internet. I’m forced to work on the kitchen table at my in-laws’ house. And I can’t let these less-than-ideal situations excuse me from doing good work.
Just because I don’t have my pot of coffee or my “get work done playlist” rolling at 70-decibels…it doesn’t mean I get to excuse myself from bringing my very best.
The truth is, you can’t be creative anywhere. You can do great work even when the conditions aren’t ideal. Maybe it’s a bit harder or maybe it requires a bit more concentration, but you can do it.
In fact, I find the times I power through these less-than-ideal situations that I get more inspired and more creative when I’m back in my comfort zone. My motivation sky-rockets because I’ve found a way to work through resistance. I’ve exercised my creative muscle.
So set up your ideal situation. Frequent your favorite local coffee shop and stay warm. Be creative. But don’t let it stop when you’re outside your ideal situation. Power through and become even better.
If this was all a ploy to get me to change my current playlist to yours, it worked. I’m listening.
100% the goal 🙂