Who says work and play have to be separate? Whether you’re a graphic designer, filmmaker, or business executive, there’s always room for creativity and innovation.

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Even the most mundane jobs offer valuable bursts of creativity, giving you nuggets of wisdom that propel you to the next level.

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Such is the foundation of World Creativity and Innovation Day. Falling on April 21, this holiday is exactly what it sounds like: a day-long celebration of creativity, innovation, and ingenuity.

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You can always find ways to innovate, whether you’re sitting at a desk or making your team’s coffee run (don’t forget that extra shot of espresso).

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Here’s how you can celebrate World Creativity and Innovation Day. But first, a brief — but hopefully creative — history lesson.

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How World Creativity and Innovation Day Came to Be

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The United Nations formally established World Creativity and Innovation Day in 2001 to recognize the importance of — you guessed it — creativity and innovation.

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Creativity and innovation are within the eye of the beholder. Everyone has their own idea of what is creative and innovative, which means there are nearly 8 billion ways to be creative and innovative. Isn’t that worth celebrating?

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For what it’s worth, World Creativity and Innovation Day falls six days after Leonardo da Vinci’s birthday and one day before International Mother Earth Day.

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Whether or not this is a coincidence doesn’t matter. Just know you’re in exceptionally sustainable and creative company during World Creativity and Innovation Day. Don’t let it go to waste (sustainability pun not intended).

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How To Celebrate World Creativity and Innovation Day

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To quote the UN’s website, the creative economy “is an evolving concept which builds on the interplay between human creativity and ideas and intellectual property, knowledge, and technology.”

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Simply put, creativity is always moving, never stagnant. It is beautifully unique to the individual yet profoundly universal.  That means you can celebrate World Creativity and Innovation Day in billions of ways.

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Here are just a few examples of how can make the most of World Creativity and Innovation Day.

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Creativity in the Workplace

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Chances are you work for a company that says they champion creativity and innovation — and that’s great! You can propel that company message to greater heights with the help of World Creativity and Innovation Day.

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You don’t have to be a graphic designer or blog writer to do creative work. Creativity and innovation are the backbones of a company’s success, made even better with a team.

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Per the Harvard Business School, some of the benefits of creativity in business and the workplace include:

• Encourages innovation
• Boosts productivity
• Allows for adaptability
• Fosters growth

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Set up more brainstorming meetings throughout the week. It can be on a Monday morning to start the week off on a good note. Wednesdays work if you prefer a mid-week pick-me-up.  

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Create an environment free of judgment and distractions. There’s no such thing as a bad idea — for the most part — so remind your team that all ideas are fair game.

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You can start each meeting with a group improv game. The essence of improv comedy is the idea of “yes and,” which encourages others to expand on their peer’s line of thinking. It creates synergy and a sense of fun, all the while you’re creating and innovating.

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Just because you’re clocking in doesn’t mean you have to check your creativity and innovation at the door. Creativity and innovation are the unsung lifeblood of a company.

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All it takes is one creative and innovative person. Your company — and hopefully your paycheck —  will thank you for it.

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Creativity and Innovation Outside the Workplace

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Now you’re clocked out and have the rest of the day to yourself. You’re not going to spend that valuable time scrolling through social media, are you?

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Though World Creativity and Innovation Day is a global holiday, you can celebrate on your positive lonesome.

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Take Up That Long-Lost Hobby

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When we were kids, we all wanted to be something when we grew up. Some of us wanted to be astronauts, firefighters, the president, and even chemical engineers (props to the six-year-olds who have that level of ambition).

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Take up that long-lost hobby that you were obsessed with as a kid. Revisiting your inner child is a superb source of creativity and innovation.

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Your creativity and innovation knew no bounds when you were a kid. As far as younger you were concerned, there’s no such thing as taxes, bills, or quotas.

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For one brief, fleeting stretch of time, embrace your inner child and all the creativity and innovation that comes with it. Sometimes the answers to current questions lie in the past.

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Do Nothing

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Today’s world runs at a hectic pace, where the idea of staying still feels wrong. But it’s not wrong. Sometimes the solution is to literally do nothing.

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Let the mind breathe and relax for a few moments. Let your mental clutter fade away as it clears up like a sunny day. A clearer mind comes up with creative and innovative ideas at the drop of a hat.

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An article by NeuroLeadership Journal explained how a “healthy mind diet” is important to stay creative and innovative.

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Some of the ways to maintain a healthy mind diet are to do nothing. It’s like sleeping: you rest now to take on the day ahead. Do nothing and your future self will thank you for it.

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Try a Friend’s Hobby

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Teamwork makes the dream work, especially when it comes to World Creativity and Innovation Day. If you’re in a creative or innovative slump, remember you can choose from eight billion other creative ideas.

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If that sounds too overwhelming, no need to fret. Just see what your friends are doing.

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Maybe a friend of yours likes knitting and all the time and patience that comes with it. Maybe another is an avid plantsperson. Before you know it, you now have an office plant.

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The key is to use your friend’s hobby as a jumping-off point. Make it your own and creativity and innovation will follow.

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Read our “How to Find New Hobbies That Make You a Better Person” blog to learn more about the art of hobby-making.

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Conclusion

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World Creativity and Innovation Day is the perfect time to revamp your creativity. Be more creative in the workplace, reconnect with your inner child, see what your friends are doing, or simply do nothing.

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Celebrate World Creativity and Innovation Day by being true to yourself and your passions. It will inevitably improve all other aspects of your life. So go take up knitting. You’ll at least end up with a comfy sweater.