130 Chapter 5 distinct phenomena (Brose et al., 2015; Molenaar, 2004). In turn, examining such daily fluctuations in state mindfulness in relation to fluctuations in creative performance may yield different results than studies involving trait measures of mindfulness and/ or general creative potential (cf. Lebuda et al., 2016; Molenaar, 2004). Our findings further contribute to this ongoing discussion regarding the role of executive processing in the creative process (cf. Barr et al., 2015; Smeekens & Kane, 2016). For example, some studies have shown that states of mindlessness, such as mind wandering, may promote creative insight (Baird et al., 2012). While mindfulness and mind wandering are usually seen as polar opposites (Mrazek et al., 2012), both are suggested to involve a relatively wide attentional breadth (Dane, 2011). An important feature distinguishing mindfulness from mind wandering is its present-moment orientation characterized by increased awareness and attention to ongoing events and stimuli. Even though unconscious thought (e.g., during mind wandering and incubation periods) can help to form relevant associations and gain inspiration, conscious thought is needed to bring the associations into awareness and to actually come up with the solutions, ideas, and/or new creations (Zhong et al., 2008). On a daily level, working individuals seem to benefit from the higher consciousness, attention, and awareness associated with a mindful state to perform creatively (cf. Brown & Ryan, 2003). Moreover, mind wandering may sometimes even be undesired, especially in work settings where people need to be able to focus on their work and produce results. Future researchmay build further on our findings to yield insights on a potentially ideal balance between valuable mind wandering on the one hand and mindful attention and awareness on the other hand (cf. Mrazek et al., 2012; Wiley & Jarosz, 2012). Strengths and Limitations Scholars have called for research taking into account the various aspects, levels, and forms of creativity in relation to mindfulness (Lebuda et al., 2016). Addressing this call, we have tested our hypotheses and replicated our results in two daily dairy studies among working individuals. Moreover, we measured creative performance with both a domain-general measure of creativity (i.e., brainstorming task) and a more contextspecific measure of creative performance in the workplace, as rated by supervisors. This approach allows us to bridge laboratory and field research to some extent. Indeed, the present research is the first to examine daily performance on a brainstorming task
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