Around eight years ago, one of the provosts at Virginia Commonwealth University asked me to speak to a graduate class in advertising about creativity.

Toward the end of my talk, I was asked if music helps to make people creative. I said no. I would like to correct this notion now.

When I’m working, I find listening to music distracting. Every morning, when pedaling my stationary recumbent bike, I hear a lot of music. I’m especially fond of Dave Mathews’s tune Jimi Thing.

I greatly respect Dave’s creativity in his music and his incorporation of other creative musicians into his performances. He chooses some of the best and blends it all to give us a new listening experience.

How my early morning routine contributes to my day’s work is still a mystery, but that’s okay. I’m surrounded by so much creativity in my daily life that I learned to just enjoy it and “let the mystery be.”