Being Creative from 8 to 5: Why is Demanding Creativity Within a Schedule So Challenging?

Being creative and working within a set schedule seems highly contradictory since the word creativity is often paired with the word freedom. If we look it up in the dictionary, creativity is defined as the ability to generate new ideas or concepts or to solve problems that arise throughout human life.

I remember working for a construction company where architects were required to develop a series of ideas and concepts within a strict schedule. We juggled a heavy workload that piled up throughout the day while also needing to reserve mental space for generating new architectural concepts to present by the end of the day.

What usually happened was that you handled office tasks at the office, but the creative work inevitably followed you home, extending workdays to 14 hours during delivery periods.

To be honest, I could rarely focus on beginning the creative process without being interrupted to handle another task that, according to the boss, was “more urgent.” Add to that the common distractions, like a coworker stopping by your desk to ask about a project and ending up discussing the series you watched last night.

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For people working in creative roles—like architects, designers, or artists—it’s essential to respect their time and space to design effectively. I feel it’s crucial nowadays to give employees breathing room to carry out their work, such as providing designated spaces in the office for deep focus, complete with visual aids, materials, and tools that foster idea flow. Moreover, respecting the creative process also means avoiding the addition of monotonous tasks that someone else could handle, especially if they don’t require the same specialized skills.

Another option would be to allow workers one remote workday per week. In my opinion, performing creative work without constant interruptions can significantly improve idea flow and the overall process. Additionally, we must recognize that not everyone has the same work rhythm. While some are more productive in the morning, others are more creative or efficient in the afternoon or evening. This naturally conflicts with rigid schedules that count the minutes—even for lunch breaks.

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I feel that the 8-to-5 creative process can be particularly challenging because creativity doesn’t flow within rigid timeframes. Architecture, as a discipline, requires a balance between technicality and creativity. However, the best ideas often arise from spontaneous inspiration, experimentation, and reflection—elements that, in my experience, rarely fit within a strict work structure.