Dr.Stephen C. Johnson once said “A successful tool is one that was used to do something undreamt of by its author.”

One of the most deadly types of poison that can infect a team…and a especially a creative team…is the idea that a task is not part of our job. When these words are said, it indicates that someone has become entitled or lost their desire to “do whatever it takes”. Teamwork is often a missing ingrediant on creative teams, usually because of insecurity, pride, fear, or lack of trust.

The reality is every task we are given in life is an opportunity to learn and develop. When we are asked to streatch ourselves and do things out of our normal routine we are sharpening and adding tools to our skill set. But we have to be attentive to this opportunity. We will not learn or develop a tool if we are complaining or begrudend by the chance to do something new or different.

Each new tool makes us more valuable, more diverse, and more creative. Creativity is not just about how we create but it is also about having the ability to bring a new experience into our process. God has a unique way of taking our random experiences and weaving it together beautifully to create a creative person…a creative force for that matter that is specially designed to create in a specific environment. God does not copy and paste. He creates designer originals.

We have to be willing to remain teachable and available. New experiences enhance our creative thought process and may cause us to understand or develop new methods that change how or why we do certain tasks. New tools make us better. Don’t be put off by an opportunity to try new things, perform new tasks, step out of our routines, or do something off “job description” to help your organization. That one thing may make you better than you ever thought you could be! The next thing you get to learn might just be the key to unlock something that you have not even dreamt of yet!

Have you ever had to do something you did not feel was part of your job description? Did it end up becoming something that helped you later? Was just helping enough to satisfy knowing that task helped move your organization forward?