105 Creating A Creative State of Mind INTRODUCTION Creativity is generally seen as a valuable phenomenon to promote innovation and growth in all aspects of life – artistically, personally, culturally, scientifically, and professionally. The constant desire and need to develop creative (i.e., new and useful) ideas regarding work procedures, services, and products can also be seen in today’s competitive business environment (Harari et al., 2016; Unsworth & Parker, 2003). There is some debate on the origin of creativity; is there such a thing as a natural ‘creative genius’ or, in contrast, could anyone possess a capacity to perform creatively to some extent? Scholars have been considering this matter for decades and have brought forth insights supporting both perspectives (Amabile, 1997). The present research is based on the idea that, although some people may generally perform more creatively than others, there is creative potential in all individuals (Amabile, 1997; Nijstad et al., 2010). Research has shown that organizations can deploy tactics to foster employee creativity, for example by providing a resourceful environment in which creativity is valued, encouraged, and facilitated (Hunter et al., 2007; Shalley & Gilson, 2004). Yet individuals do not perform equally creative at all times, and such relatively distal factors are less likely to predict intra-individual variations in creative performance. Moreover, researchers have theorized and shown the importance of individuals’ self-regulatory and proactive behaviors in the creative process (Bakker et al., 2020; De Stobbeleir et al., 2011; Op den Kamp et al., 2018, 2020). Indeed, although top-down approaches can be effective, they implicitly identify individuals as “relatively reactive agents in the creative process who need to be motivated and led by others” (De Stobbeleir et al., 2011, p. 824). In reality, people often show self-initiated and anticipatory action aimed at changing either the situation or oneself (Unsworth & Parker, 2003), and it is suggested that individuals may be proactive agents in their own creative process too (De Stobbeleir et al., 2011; Grant & Parker, 2009; Op den Kamp et al., 2020). Research indicates that physical and mental energy are essential to reach a state that is conducive to creativity (e.g., Binnewies &Wörnlein, 2011; Chen & Sengupta, 2014; De Dreu et al., 2012; Fredrickson, 2001; Kark & Carmeli, 2009; Op den Kamp et al., 2020). As proactive vitality management involves intentionally and proactively managing our own physical and mental energy to promote optimal functioning (Op den Kamp et al., 2018), individuals may use it deliberately to bring themselves in such a state 5
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTk4NDMw