There’s an intriguing talk at TEDx by Jason Fried who argues that productivity isn’t currently optimized at the workplace. He argues that M&Ms (Managers and Meetings) – not twitter nor facebook, as so many have argued – are the main detriments to being able to get some work done. He concludes with three main suggestions on how to get rid of those net losses at work. Here he is at work:

TEDx – Jason Fried: Why work doesn’t happen at work

I found it quite compelling, but his argument about creative people was a bit incomplete. I too work in an office with a severe case of M&Ms, I loose an incredible amount of time by being interrupted and going to meaningless meetings. But, when it comes to being creative, it gets a bit more complicated. I think that what creative people need most is to be in their element.

For example, my buddy and I are creating a new web-based company/product – outside of my current job with the infinite number of M&Ms – and the way we discuss our project (in the way we are most creative) is by going to a local pub to talk about it deliberately. By being in our element, we can interrupt each other, be interrupted by the waitress or by someone who needs to squeeze through, but we feel comfortable and our brains feel free to create.

I do concede, however, that once we are done “creating”, we need some uninterrupted time to write and fill the gaps. Fortunately for us, we don’t yet have an office in which to work, so we do most of our labour in our respective homes with a bit of music, uninterrupted.

See also: Jonah Lehrer on distracted people and creativity.

Note: keep an eye out for our new product, there will be much more to come on the subject.