Brainstorm: 27
Wednesday, 01 July 2015
By. Francis Pedraza
“What is *your* ideal creative space?”
— Fantasize about the ideal place to express yourself.
Just because I can work from anywhere, doesn’t mean I want to work from anywhere. I have worked from trains, planes, and automobiles. In all sorts of buildings. With or without internet connection. With or without a desk. With or without distractions. But I am far more productive when I’m in an environment conducive to focused work. How much more productive? Hard to say. 30%? 2X? More? Any studies on this?
So, let’s fantasize. If money were no object, what would be your ideal creative space? Is it an all-glass studio, suspended in mid-air above a forest canopy, with a large unadorned chestnut table, with nothing but blank paper and your chosen writing or drawing instruments on it? Or, do you get so much done on flights that you wish your office was like an airplane — no distractions, imposed constraints? Are do you want a man (or woman?) cave — like Tony Stark’s garage or the Bat Cave? Perhaps, like a captain of industry, you belong in the penthouse of a skyscraper?
Or, are you content? Have you already found your perfect place? That indy coffee roaster? That breakfast diner? So, you really do love your office?
Describe your ideal creative space, or tell us about “your spot”. Even sketch it on paper, or scribble with Google Drawings! This is a visualization exercise. There doesn’t need to be a “point” to it — it’s just fun — but, there are many possible take-aways. Here’s one. After you answer the question, ask yourself: “What’s holding me back? Even if I can’t afford exactly what I want yet, are there ways I can approximate it, or give myself some of those feelings when I work?”
With work, as in romance, a little ambience and imagination can go a long way.
