[custom_adv] The architect Le Corbusier is a great example of how the creative mind does things. He shunned the regular working day, choosing instead to split his day into his own regime, working alone on his own ideas, drawings and contemplations in the morning, and then collaborating with his team of skilled employees and draughtsmen in the afternoon. [custom_adv] Through years of work, he knew that this was the way he produced his best designs, and woe betide anyone who got in his way—if you were a minute late for the afternoon meeting, you were severely reprimanded. He was then home by early evening, ready for some relaxation and socializing with family and friends. [custom_adv] Le Corbusier know what worked for him, and exhibited a number of traits that are frequently seen in highly creative people. He chose to design his life around the creative process so he could get the most out of it, but also understood that he could not do it alone, and knew that thought, rest, and play were as important for creativity at work. [custom_adv] The business day was designed so everyone could perform tasks at the same time—trains carry commuters in the mornings and evenings, people would answer their phones, and everyone can work together. Nowadays, with telecommuting, a global economy, and modern communication this isn’t as important. Therefore there is no real reason it should be when you work. [custom_adv] As we have seen previously, early hours are a common theme in creative people. Emmanuel Kant got up at 5 am each morning to start work, and most writers find the breaking dawn and waking mind ideal for creation. [custom_adv] Lately, later hours are more common, particularly among creatives in the design industry or developers. If the option is available to you, work whenever you feel the best. This might be early in the morning, or it might be at night, but finding the right routine for you is important for creative tasks. [custom_adv] When all of this comes together, then the best minds get in the zone. Easily one of the most important traits that the most creative people exhibit is the ability to get lost on their work and go with the flow. [custom_adv] This ability to get in the zone, remove outside distractions and get on with their work is obviously important for success. But it is also one of the most difficult to master and requires a lot of things to go right. [custom_adv] But if you can figure out, over time, what works for you and what doesn’t then you will start to find those moments when you look up from your work and realize the day has gone by without you noticing becoming more and more frequent.
