Creative energy & play: Why creative people are often successful

What if Steve Jobs had skipped his calligraphy classes between meals at the Hare Krishna temple in the early 70s? Answer: We might not have the range of useful Apple products we enjoy today. Here’s a look at how honoring our need for play can spur creative energy and innovation.
Creativity can be defined as the ability to imagine new ideas and make connections between seemingly unrelated things. While it’s easy to see creative imagination at work in the minds of artists and musicians, it’s a mistake to believe that only certain people are creative. The fact is, you’re inherently creative. You just need to tap into it.
How play sparks our imagination
Let’s revisit Steve Jobs and his ink pen. As he said, “I decided to take a calligraphy class…. I found it fascinating. … None of this had even a hope of any practical application in my life. But 10 years later, when we were designing the first Macintosh computer, it all came back to me. And we designed it all into the Mac.” If he had never taken that course, well, you know the story.
Jobs’ inspiration did not come from the fact that he was a calligraphy expert or even a great artist. Rather, he was a genuinely curious human being who allowed himself to explore his interests. Where those interests would lead him in the future, even he had no clue. But the point is: He allowed himself to play. And if you want to harness greater creative energy in your life, you must do the same. You must become like a curious child again, giving yourself unbridled permission to play and have fun.
How to harness creative energy for success:
- Experience widely. Exposure to new experiences creates fresh neural pathways, which can help you frame things in a new light. Seek out new and novel activities to expand your experience portfolio: Travel, adventure sports, creative learning, hobbies, and meditation can open doors in your mind that may have been previously closed.
- Be a group player. Because creativity flourishes in a congenial and positive environment, even the introverts among us can benefit from regular social interaction. Hanging out with friends and colleagues can expose you to new ways of thinking and provide support and encouragement for your own awesome ideas.
- Let yourself be inspired. Inspiration and creativity can come from any number of unexpected sources. Allow yourself to take a new route to work, visit a store you’ve never been in, or spend an afternoon at the science museum. By exposing yourself to new influences, you give your brain more avenues to venture down.
From the hallowed halls of Silicon Valley to the corridors of scientific research labs, creative ideas that can fuel the next “big thing” are in high demand. With so much riding on your creative contributions, it’s worth making play and adventure a part your life.
At Dropbox, a “creative career” isn’t an oxymoron. View our latest job openings.
