Dan Collins, managing director at training and events company Fresh Tracks
Free your mind
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How you can get your creative juices flowing
On a Monday morning when I look over the week ahead, I know that no matter how many engagements are listed, my week will be full of unexpected interruptions.
Most Fridays I reflect on the week just gone with a sense of frustration: what happened to that good idea I vaguely remember having on Wednesday? Or the conversation I was going to have with someone on Thursday?
My work involves a fair bit of creative thinking as my team and I dream up engaging staff conferences and team-building programmes. The last thing I need is an email pinging up in the corner of the screen advising me to change a password.
So if your job requires you to find time to think creatively or work without interruption, here are a few suggestions to help free your mind.
Thinking time
List the creative and strategic challenges that you are responsible for, identify which require input from others and which simply need thinking time. Set aside time to think alone with just a notepad and pen - no phone, Blackberry or laptop.
Creative meetings
Book time away to work creatively with key colleagues at least once every week. Use inspiring meeting places like parks and restaurants. This will make the experience fun and eliminate distractions.
Be tough
Be tough on incoming information. Only deal with emails before 10am and after 4pm and include an advisory note to that effect in your email signature. Buddy up with a colleague who will field your interruptions and vice versa when you want to focus.
Clear your mind
At least twice a week start your day by deliberately clearing your mind of the ‘chatter’ that impedes clear thinking. To do this, simply turn off anything that could communicate and sit in silence, alone, for up to half an hour and consciously try not to think of anything at all.
It takes practice, but after a time your brain will feel like it’s been released to work as it should. Later, when you need it to solve a problem or create an idea, your brain will astound you.
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