Where is the Fun? Creativity and Innovation- Reflection Three

After the class trip to Area Fifteen last Tuesday and the readings by Foster on getting ideas, I began to realize the void of a creative outlet that I have in my life. While reading through Foster's list of office activities that he has employed to create a sense of fun (things like chili cook offs, darts in the break room, and craft fairs) I found myself envious of working in an office- or an industry that allows for fun.

Everyday I go to work in black dress pants or a skirt, wearing a button-down blouse or a cardigan. Sometimes I get crazy and wear metallic heels. However, my professional life is complete fun-less. We have a holiday potluck lunch once a year, but that is the extent of the fun that is acceptable in my workplace.

Needless to say, the people I work with don't seem happy. In fact, everyone seems annoyed, stressed, and burnt out. Sadly, banking does thrive off of creative juices like advertising and marketing do, but still we should invite in some fun. Granted, for some of my colleagues, the thrill of deadlines and the corporate culture excites them. As for me, not so much.

I am left trying to decide if I can infuse some fun time and expressive creative opportunities into my personal life, which could satisfy my creative deficiency. Or, is there something more wrong here. Am I in the right career? Probably not. As Tom Peters says "The number one premise in business is that it need not be boring or dull. It ought to be fun. If it's not, you're wasting your life.

Unfortunately, I think I am wasting my life. I just don't know what else to do. Perhaps if I give myself some time and some tools to tap into how to live my passion, the answers will come. Until then, I'll be wearing my metallic heels M-F to add some life to my otherwise dull work routine.