Creativity Meets Logic: Why Your Hobbies Make You Better at Your Job
Einstein played violin and piano. DaVinci was an inventor and a master artist. Ada Lovelace (the first computer programmer – yes, it was a woman!) loved music and poetry. I work in a technical job but I have hobbies that express my creativity: writing, photography, and textile arts. It works in reverse, as well. Actress Hedy Lamarr was the co-inventor of the technology that makes WiFi and Bluetooth work. Brian May, guitarist for Queen, has a Ph.D. in Astrophysics. Mark Twain held many patents for inventions, including an adjustable clothing strap.
One day on a long drive, I wondered if there was a connection between technical vocation and creative hobbies. As you can see from the examples, there does seem to be. Why, though? How do creativity and technical work influence each other? I wanted to explore how engaging in creative activities enhances technical skills, and how technical problem-solving informs creative work.
Two Sides of the Coin
My work involves problem-solving technical issues, and using technology to build environments and virtual systems. The work is structured, process-oriented, and logical. My creative hobbies are open-ended, intuitive, and imaginative. While it may appear that these are two very different spheres, they are in fact complementary.
How Creativity Enhances Technical Work
Creativity fosters innovative approaches to challenges. I often have to look at a photography scene from many different perspectives in order to find the shot I want. Often, when I start writing, I find myself building the story as I go, rather than having it all mapped out. When constructing a piece of clothing, I can see how a flat piece of fabric becomes a fitted garment.
Shifting perspectives helps me find new solutions in my work. Seeing the pieces individually helps me understand how each piece functions as part of the whole process. Often talking out loud about a problem helps me understand the root of the problem.
I’ve also found that engaging in my creative outlets helps improve my well-being. They’re stress-relieving methods, and they help lead to clearer thinking and better focus on the job.
How Technical Work Fuels Creativity
We can apply processes from the technical roles to creative projects. Planning a stitching project or a photography series helps make the project feel less chaotic and more doable. I’ve also seen that technical skills help sharpen the execution of my creative ideas. Understanding computational processes helps me break down creative projects step by step. I’m also very comfortable using digital tools due to my experience with many platforms and different technologies.
Why Does It Matter?
By blending creativity with technical skills, I not only enhance both but also find greater fulfillment in each. It’s important for us to have a well-rounded set of experiences, and often those experiences can cause or be caused by a variety of skills. In the evolving workspace, adaptability to new technologies is important, and having pursued creative skills can make it easier to implement something different on the job.
Your Turn
Creativity and technical proficiency are mutually reinforcing. Take a look at your world — find a hobby that’s very different from your J-O-B job, and look for something that you don’t necessarily feel could become another source of income. Start with something just for fun. That synergy between logic and imagination can unlock a great amount of potential.
Do you have a hobby that surprisingly helps you in your work? Or have your technical skills shaped the way you approach creativity? Let’s chat in the comments! (scroll past the related posts section)
My photography shops are https://www.oakwoodfineartphotography.com/ and https://oakwoodfineart.etsy.com, my merch shops are https://www.zazzle.com/store/south_fried_shop and https://society6.com/southernfriedyanqui.
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