Creativity in a Crisis

I think your greatest creative potential is brought to bear when your back is against the wall and you think you are out of options — that’s when creativity really kicks in and offers up more options than you thought you could imagine.

Here are some examples:

You are in charge of an important project at work that is due in a month, but out of the blue your boss says the company owner will be in town next week and she wants to see the finished project during her visit.

How will you get the project completed in time?

All your bills came due at the same time and your entire paycheck is spoken for, but your car broke down on your drive home from the grocery store and now you have to come up with money for the repair.

How will you raise $500 within just a few days?

When you have an urgent need to solve a problem, there’s just something in your brain that responds to your stress or adrenaline or some other body chemistry. Your brain starts firing on all cylinders — shooting off sparks of ideas left and right, searching for the right concept to land on and ignite action.

Some of the most effective problem-solving is a result of panic.