There is so much discussion on the need to be more creative in the work place. After all, 'to create' means to bring about what has not existed before. The newest creation, innovation, or way of doing something, can make or break a company. Netflix was able to create an entertainment market of watching movies, programs, and shows that had not existed before. While other companies, such as Blockbuster, could not envision past the physical movie rental market. It may be easy to identify creative companies like Apple and Google, but it is more difficult to tap into our own creativity.
Work, life, and the demands of everyday life are actually hindering our ability to be creative. The secret to tapping into your creative side, and letting your mind explore, may be found in a simple box of crayons. The childhood activity of coloring is gaining in popularity with adults and may be our answer to increasing innovation by calming our mind and stimulating our imagination.
Work, life, and the demands of everyday life are actually hindering our ability to be creative. The secret to tapping into your creative side, and letting your mind explore, may be found in a simple box of crayons. The childhood activity of coloring is gaining in popularity with adults and may be our answer to increasing innovation by calming our mind and stimulating our imagination.
Reduce Stress while Stimulating the Brain
Coloring isn’t just for kids. Yes, you heard me right! Coloring and drawing in general can be a good stress reliever, as well as a way to stimulate a creative mind. Brain studies have shown that stress actually stifles creativity. Coloring can calm the brain, helping to alleviate stress. Adults can be so caught up in stress that they have trouble focusing and processing information. Coloring reduces stress by allowing us to focus on a single particular activity, rather than on our worries.
One of the first psychologists to apply coloring as a relaxation technique was Carl G. Jüng in the early 20th century. He did this through mandalas: circular designs with concentric shapes similar to the Gothic churches’ rose windows, but that are Indian in origin.
The act of coloring stimulates the areas of the brain related to motor skills, the senses, and creativity. When coloring, there is actually an alchemical effect on the imagination that allows for thinking in symbols, metaphors, and helping to de-code complexity.
Right-Brain, Left-Brain Balance
Often times, people label themselves as creative or not creative. Actually, we are all creative, it's part of being human. However, we are often caught up in daily tasks that we forget to let our mind quiet and practice creativity. Creative people are able to find the balance between creativity and productivity. We may often consider being creative as being right-brained and being productive or logical as being left-brained. Coloring may be the key to engaging both sides of our brain while in a calm state.
When coloring, we activate different areas of our two cerebral hemispheres, says psychologist Gloria Martínez Ayala. "The action involves both logic, by which we color forms, and creativity, when mixing and matching colors. This incorporates the areas of the cerebral cortex involved in vision and fine motor skills [coordination necessary to make small, precise movements]. The relaxation that it provides lowers the activity of the amygdala, a basic part of our brain involved in controlling emotion that is affected by stress."
Bringing Innovation to the Workplace
A recent study conducted by Adobe and Forrester found that creative companies – those that encourage creative perspective, practices, and culture – outperform, both in revenue growth and market share. 58% of respondents from creative companies said their revenues have strong growth (10%+ year-over-year) vs. only 20% of less-creative firms. And creative companies are 50% more likely to report a commanding market leadership position over their competitors.
For some, it may be difficult to identify when creativity will turn to innovation. However, neuroscience research confirms what "creatives" intuitively know about being innovative: that it usually happens in the shower. After focusing intently on a project or problem, the brain needs to fully disengage and relax in order for a “Eureka!” moment to arise. Coloring is a practice that creates and ebb and flow between quieting the conscience mind, while allowing the subconscious to wander.
If you have not joined the trend of coloring, it may be time invest in some coloring books and crayons. Coloring books like the Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Coloring Book(M & E Books) are topping best sellers lists. There are many other adult coloring books options that can be found at local craft stores to swanky boutiques.
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