This article comes from my friend, web developer and SEO professional, Gregor Spowart. He shares 4 simple ways to produce better work and refresh your thinking, so you are more creative and productive.

When I first started my business, I knew that I was going to have to work hard if I wanted to succeed. In my mind, hard work equalled success. So, as long as I worked hard then I’d be successful in what I did. Looking back that’s laughably naïve, but these are the lessons you very quickly learn when you’re starting out!

The phrase “Work smarter, not harder” is pretty much a cliché now, which is a shame. It’s actually a good idea to ask ourselves, ‘are there any alternative ways to work, which are at least as effective as my current working practices, yet require less effort?’

For me there are!

The lesson I quickly learned was that when I was working all day at my desk, then working on the sofa in the evening with my laptop, I wasn’t really working. And I don’t mean that I was on Facebook and YouTube wasting time (although now that I think about it, I probably was!). What I mean is that my brain wasn’t ever working at its optimum level, because it was tired. My mind simply wasn’t getting the chance to relax, recuperate and refresh at the end of the day.

It’s now essential for me each evening, to step away from my day to day work and forget about it until the next day. This gives my brain a chance to refresh and get ready for the demands I make on it the next time.

Of course it’s easier said than done, especially when you’re busy and stressed. So, here are a few rules I follow, which work extremely well.

How I refresh my thinking outside working hours

Here are 4 rules I have put in place, which have given me greater clarity, improved my creativity and refreshed my thinking:

1. Don’t look at your (work) email outside of work hours: Make a clean break. Once your body has left work, then so should your brain. There’s no need to read work email when you’re not there. Resist the temptation! Personal email is fine, but make sure it goes to a different account to your work email.
2. If you have your work email on your mobile phone, switch off the notification icon: We all fiddle with our phones and tablets when we’re not at work. If an email notification icon pops up, then you’re going to see it and even if you don’t look at it, you’re going to wonder what it’s about. Don’t just hide the icons!
3. Don’t give clients your personal mobile number: If you do, then they’ll call you and you don’t want that! Even if you ignore the call, you’ll see the missed call and then you’ll wonder what they wanted. You may even feel obliged to call them back. Don’t! This is your personal time, not work time. If necessary, get a cheap mobile phone and give them the number, but make it clear that it’s for desperate emergencies only.
4. If you have a home office, shut the door outside of office hours: It’s a no-go zone. If you wander in there, then who knows what evils will catch your eye and send your brain back into work mode. Stay out of there! Seriously. Just stay out.

There are also a few rules I follow when I AM working

• Take regular breaks: Everyone knows that regular breaks are good for your health, but in terms of working smarter they’re incredibly effective. If you’re faced with a tricky problem, then taking a 5 or 10 minute break for a cup of tea or coffee, can give your brain the rest it needs, for you to come back and see that problem in a new, solvable light. Even a two minute wander in the garden or to the local shop can help.
• Don’t be afraid to walk away: Literally.  This post was originally going to be about the importance of going for a walk, but Jim did a great post on that already. It’s a fantastic thing to do, It clears your head, it’s good exercise and it lets your brain relax. You can go cycling, running, skateboarding or whatever. Just get away from your desk for a while and enjoy yourself. You’ll come back to your desk with a much clearer head and feel more productive.
• There’s nothing wrong with YouTube in the workplace: On the contrary, 10 minutes of watching people fall over or cute kittens is fantastic brain relaxation time. I’m serious – if you’re watching a skateboarding dog and laughing about it, then you’re not thinking about the usual work stuff. So, when you return to your work then you’ll see it in a new light. Try it!

One size doesn’t fit all

It’s important to state that these rules should be applied in moderation. If you’re the on-call guy for a nuclear power plant, then don’t ignore your phone! And don’t go for 9 hour walks every day, while your workload goes out of control and your clients leave you. However, do make a clear distinction between your time and your work time. Ensure that you get plenty of time to relax and switch off from work.

You’ll be amazed at what you can do when you put your mind to it (another cliché!)

About the author

Gregor Spowart is a web developer and director of Mass Media Design, a digital agency based in Reading in the UK. He blogs regularly on website marketing and SEO at the Mass Media Design blog and can also be found on Facebook, Twitter and on GooglePlus.

The post 4 Ways to refresh your thinking and work smarter appeared first on Creative Thinking.

The fear of criticism is one of the major blocks to creativity. In this article, I am going to share an effective way to handle fear. I will also show you how to stop fear from getting in the way of your art or work.

You can’t avoid criticism

Even if you do nothing, people will criticise you for being lazy!

The moment you create anything, it’s there to be praised and criticised. For example, in addition to writing for this website, I also write a blog. The blog is pretty popular and has attracted over 20 thousand comments. Because blogs allow readers to comment on everything you write, I get comments from people who love what I do and a small number of comments from those who question it or criticise it. That criticism is also very public, as all my readers get to see it.

Whatever you create, it will be criticised. If you choose to play it safe and put generic work out there, it will attract less criticism, but it will be largely ignored – making it pointless. So, those of us committed to expressing our creativity need to figure out how we are going to deal with the fear of criticism.

Do we shield ourselves from criticism or do we learn to face it? Let’s look at those options.

Seth Godin and cocooning

Criticism has always existed, but not on the level that exists today. Just 20 years ago, a fearful author could cocoon themselves from negative feedback, by refusing to read the reviews of their book. Today, it’s a lot harder for people who are fearful of criticism, to cocoon themselves. However, it is possible.

Here’s the best example I have seen. It’s from the business author, Seth Godin. Now, Seth could be a fearless writer for all I know, however, his approach cocoons him from criticism.

Here are just a few of the things he has done:

• Banning his readers from commenting on his blog. As a result, Seth is now cocooned from criticism on his most visible platform, his blog. In addition, his readers can no longer see others criticise him or question his work.
• Shielding himself from feedback on social networks. He has social networking accounts, but doesn’t speak to anyone. Instead, the accounts are fully automated and just send out links to his latest work.
• Seth has even cocooned himself with email. Every email he sends comes with a warning that the content must not be made public. So, if you email him and get a response, you can’t publicly criticise it or question it. His email has a readership of just one person – you.

That approach means Seth can be controversial or say something that confronts a popular viewpoint, without fear – because he has blocked people from confronting him, where he and his readers will see it. Seth’s approach shields him extremely well and is an alternative for others, who prefer to avoid criticism rather than deal with their fear.

Alternatively, we can deal with the fear

So, as Seth’s example shows, it is possible (to a degree) to shield ourselves from our fear of criticism. However, I don’t believe that it’s the best way to deal with our fears. It’s like taking painkillers in response to toothache, rather than having the dental work done. The underlying problem still exists. The fear is still there and it will negatively impact the quality / uniqueness of our work.

Dealing with fear

In my experience, you have to look fear in the face and just do it! Then do it again and again and again…

I believe that anyone can conquer fear by doing the things he fears to do, provided he keeps doing them until he gets a record of successful experience behind him.
~ Eleanor Roosevelt

As a boxer, I was fearful before each fight, but with every fight I had, the fear became less and less. Soon there was just enough fear to stop me being careless. As a blogger, I was fearful of what people might say when I published my initial blog posts, but with every new post, the fear became less and soon disappeared.

Recognise fear for what it is

Fear is an essential element of creating the kind of art, which makes a difference. In fact, if you are working on a project and you feel that tingle of fear, it’s almost always a sign that you’re about to create something special.

The post How to create without fear, in a world full of critics appeared first on Creative Thinking.

Art and the groove

Nile shares insights into his recent work with Daft Punk, as well as some of the things that inspired his creativity when working with Diana Ross, Duran Duran, David Bowie – and that’s just the D’s!

There’s also an amazing explanation of the physical feeling that flows through (or grips) him, when he connects with the groove of a track. It’s inspirational. Truly inspirational.

Went back to go forward

Nile Rodgers & me in London

One of the things Nile mentions in the video, which really stands out, is how he took inspiration from old musical influences, to create something new. He talks about how Daft Punk did this too, going back – to go forward, by learning from what went before them, musically. This is what Picasso called, stealing like an artist.

Nile then explains how the early hip hop artists, went on to use his early work, to create something new again. This started with The Sugar Hill Gang and Rapper’s Delight, which was based on ‘Good Times’ – an international hit for Nile and his band, Chic.

Nile has also creatively adapted his art, working across many different musical genres and mediums, including the music for the smash hit Halo video games. He truly is a creative powerhouse.

Nile is one of the most inspirational people I have ever met and a constant source of creativity. It’s great to have a video I can share with you, which focuses heavily on what I call the art, of his art.

For more information on Nile Rodgers, check out his website and blog. You can also connect with Nile on Twitter.

Update

Since this article was written, ‘Get Lucky’, the first single from the album mentioned in the video, went to number one faster than any track in Spotify history!

The post Nile Rodgers, Daft Punk and Random Access Memories appeared first on Creative Thinking.

It was an example of toxic information regarding creativity, which is extremely common online. It makes creative thinking sound like something elite and distant, instead of something you do all day, every day.

You are already creative

We are all creative. We use our creativity all the time and have done, since birth.

For example:

• Finding a route home, without satellite navigation, so you avoid that traffic jam ahead, is creative thinking.
• Going into your garden and deciding what to plant, and where, is creative thinking.
• Composing a tweet so that it gets your point across in 140 characters or less, is creative thinking.
• A person living on a low income, figuring out how to make ends meet, is thinking creatively.
• Even deciding what clothes to wear when we get out of bed, requires some creativity.

You were born creative

Anyone telling you that you need to go through complex exercises in order to become more creative, is missing a key point. Creative thinking is a 100% natural process, which we use all day and which anyone can improve. Belief and courage are just as important as learning the mechanics.

If you want to improve your creative output, accept that you’re creative, learn to trust your creativity and have the courage to put your creativity ‘out there’.

The post How to improve your creative thinking appeared first on Creative Thinking.

Maria Konnikova on decision making

The video is a presentation from psychologist, Maria Konnikova. Maria shares some great insights into decision making, mindfulness and observation – all wrapped up around the thought processes used by Sherlock Holmes. It’s a must watch, for anyone interested in learning more about how to make better, more rational decisions.

Maria’s presentation is engaging, enlightening, accessible and steeped in solid research.

For more information on Maria Konnikova

You can find out more about Maria’s work on her website.

You can follow Maria on Twitter here, @mkonnikova.

The post Video: Maria Konnikova explains what Sherlock Holmes can teach us about decision making appeared first on Creative Thinking.

This includes the words you use to describe the place you work from and how you describe the work itself.

Change your words, change your mindset

Fifteen years ago, I used to make a living from working in my office. Today, I make a living by developing ideas in my studio. Now, the actual room I operate from today is the same and when I first changed it’s title from office to studio, it looked identical too. All I changed was the name I gave the room.

Immediately, 2 things improved that had a direct, positive impact on my output:

1. I felt a great deal more creative, operating from a studio each day rather than an office. Within a few weeks, the room looked far more like a creative space or studio than an office, as it started to reflect the way I felt about it.
2. Other people started to regard me as a creative thinker or artist, when they discovered I operated from a studio. This reinforced my new found creative mindset.

Switching from the mindset of working, to the mindset of developing ideas, was also a huge breakthrough for me. It feels so much easier to think creatively about the work you do with your clients, when you start each day focused on developing ideas.

Some creative examples

Here are a few suggestions, to demonstrate what I mean:

• If you currently work from an office, consider developing ideas from a studio.
• If you currently build websites, consider designing amazing online architecture.
• If you currently write copy, consider painting inspirational pictures using words.

Try it. Just see what a difference it makes to how you feel and what you do!

If you found this useful and would like lots more FREE information on Creative Thinking, subscribe now and make sure you don’t miss a thing.

The post Working in an office or developing ideas in a studio? appeared first on Creative Thinking.

Talking to a closed book

Think of a book for a moment. The way we get knowledge from a book, is to read the content and draw some conclusions. Now, imagine for a moment that I bought a great book, filled with useful information, but I didn’t read it! Instead, I sat down with the book closed on my lap and just talked to the book about what I already knew. I would learn nothing from the book.

That’s because we learn through absorbing new information – not from broadcasting what we already know.

People who are poor listeners can surround themselves with great people, yet still learn nothing from them. Just as we can’t learn from a book we don’t read, we can’t gain knowledge from people we don’t listen to.

In short: If you want to boost your creative thinking, surround yourself with creative people and then listen.

If you found this useful and would like lots more FREE information on Creative Thinking, subscribe now and make sure you don’t miss a thing.

The post Listen up! appeared first on Creative Thinking.

• More combined intelligence than ever before.
• Greater processing power than ever before.
• Powerful tools, which are more affordable than ever before.

Unparalleled potential

Whilst access to these amazing assets offers us unparalleled opportunities, what do people typically do with them? Very little. It seems that although we are capable of solving bigger, better problems than at any time in human history, our thinking hasn’t quite grasped the potential yet.

Let’s think about it for a moment:

• Thanks to inexpensive computing devices, search engines and social networks, we can access answers to almost any challenge we have. So, it’s no longer the access to answers, which is holding us back.
• The world is filled with problems, so there’s no shortage of worthy challenges to focus our attention on, either.

Rethinking what’s possible for you

I believe we need to realign what we think is possible, so that it encompasses the reality of the amazing resources we have access to today. Then, it’s a case of developing the courage and commitment to set ourselves better, more worthy challenges.

If we do, the potential is limitless.

If you found this useful and would like lots more FREE information on Creative Thinking, subscribe now and make sure you don’t miss a thing.

The post Problem Solving: The answers have never been easier to find appeared first on Creative Thinking.

Einstein famously said: “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.”

I think we can all agree that Einstein was one of the greatest minds in history, however, his decision to stick with a challenge and work on it for a long time is something we can all benefit from.

Creative thinking requires effort

Over on my marketing blog, one of the most common phrases I see in the comments section when I make a suggestion, is a variant of; ‘It’s not as easy as it sounds.” Most people seem to be programmed to seek the easy or lazy answer by default. Then, if the answer doesn’t come easy, they quit. This places a very low ceiling on their potential, as there’s only so far someone can go if they are not prepared to think deeply, when required.

If I have a challenge that’s proving a tricky nut to crack, I employ a few strategies before I decide it’s beyond me:

• I take the problem for a walk. Ensuring I have a way to record any answers that come to me. This is the best thing I have ever found for developing creative ideas. Almost every challenge I have is resolved this way.
• I clearly define the challenge at the top of a sheet of paper, then write as many answers as possible. I allow my mind to flow and write down everything that comes to me. I also make sure the question is written correctly.
• I talk to someone with expertise in the area, where my challenge resides. For example, if it’s a design problem I’ll talk to a designer – even if their field of design is different.
• I talk to someone whose opinion I respect, yet who has no expertise on that area. This outside perspective has proven to be a goldmine of creative answers, as their feedback directs me to look for answers in a new, often fertile direction.
• I then give the challenge as long as required, before deciding the answer is beyond me.

Some challenges come with a hard deadline, so there is a set time frame within which the answer is needed. However, in most cases the deadline is more flexible than that.

In short: For us to stand the greatest chance of getting an above average answer, we should stick with it for longer than the average person.

If you found this useful and would like lots more FREE information on Creative Thinking, subscribe now and make sure you don’t miss a thing.

The post How to find the answers you need, Einstein style appeared first on Creative Thinking.

This may be one of the most valuable ideas I have shared here. It’s about how to get the most from your life and stop the days from passing you by.

A year older or a year better?

It starts with an understanding that everything we come into contact with, has an impact on us. It changes us. It adds to our bank of experiences.

• As creative people, we know that the greater our bank of experiences, the wider our pallet of colours becomes, allowing us to create across a wider spectrum.
• As human beings, we know that the greater our bank of experiences, the more we get from life.

Visiting or experiencing?

There’s a huge difference between visiting Paris and experiencing Paris. People often take a holiday in Paris, electing to eat the same food as they have at home and drink in bars, frequented by fellow tourists from their home country. They visit tourist traps, where they connect with people from ‘back home.’ They watch their favourite TV channels, via the Internet.

They may have a stamp in their passport to say they visited Paris, but they certainly didn’t experience it.

The art of experiencing

Think of walking through a stretch of woodland.

Someone visiting the woodland, rather than experiencing it, could be listening to music or consumed with thoughts about work, home, their past or their future. Whilst their body is physically there, amongst the flora and fauna, they are not connecting with the sights, sounds and smells around them. They walk through it or maybe more accurately, they walk past it.

Someone experiencing that stretch of woodland, rather than visiting it, would be focused on their immediate surroundings. They would stop and take time to notice the sounds around them. They would touch the bark on the trees and touch the leaves, to get a tactile experience of the textures around them. They would focus on the different colours that make up the immediate landscape. They would notice the way the smells around them changed, as they walked past different shrubs and features.

They would leave the woodland, with a deep feeling for what they have just experienced. Their senses would have been filled with the richness of their surroundings. They would have experienced it. Really experienced it!

Switching your autopilot off

Much of what we do from day to day is done, as if we were on autopilot. Most of the daily challenges we face, can be handled with little real effort. As a result, we spend much of ‘the present’ thinking about the past or thinking about the future, but not experiencing the now. That lack of deeper, deliberate interaction with our present, leads to wafer thin experiences.

The challenge with using that autopilot setting too often, is that minutes, hours, days, weeks months and then years can pass us by, with us gaining little by way of experience – if we allow it to.

Wherever you are, be there!

Thankfully, you get to choose what you focus on. So, make today the day, where you start experiencing more of the world around you.

For example:

• Use your senses to gain a deeper connection with your environment.
• Wherever you are, be there – really be there.
• Whoever you are speaking with, give them your full attention.
• Whatever you are doing, connect with it using as many of your senses as you can.

Invest in your bank of experiences today, then repeat it tomorrow. Watch your bank increase in value, as you become a day better every day and not just a day older.

If you found this useful and would like lots more FREE information on Creative Thinking, subscribe now and make sure you don’t miss a thing.

The post How to become a day better every day, not just a day older appeared first on Creative Thinking.