How to be more creative in 30 seconds.

1. Log off from Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Snap, Twitter, and any other app of mass distraction.
2. Turn your computer and phone off. Yes, off. You may think the above is redundant if you are shutting down your devices, but it is actually the physical act of logging out that helps you mentally realize you are well and truly disconnecting. Turning your devices off is the final act of commitment.
3. Put your phone in an envelope, seal it, and write on the outside of it with a big black marker pen - DO NOT OPEN UNTIL (set a time at least one hour from then). Put it in your pocket or bag.
4. Pick up a notepad and pen and head for the door.

You have just become more creative and the process to get started took maybe 30 seconds, more if you hesitated as your finger hovered over that log off button.

Now that you've got the creative ball rolling spend some time, at least an hour, getting inspired. Go and find your creative space, this could be at an art gallery or a museum, maybe in a park or wandering aimlessly around your city, or go sit on a roof top, maybe walk across a bridge, sit on a beach or by a river, or find a window seat in a coffee shop. Anywhere that will give your mind space to think.

Once you're in your creative space let your mind wander, let your imagination get to work. Scribble, doodle, write, think, and dream.

And unless you get mauled by a ravenous wild animal or find yourself under attack by some stealth ninjas or a swarm of killer bees don't, under any circumstance, take that phone out of your pocket and turn it on.

You'll be surprised. After at least a minimum of one hour all your apps will still be there and the world will still exist (unless an asteroid hit the planet, but you would no longer be here either). Trust me on this. The world did not stop for that one hour that you stopped connecting with it.

I was just as guilty as everyone else when it came to being connected non-stop, and part of it is a necessity for my business life. But I now make it a point to shut down everything except my brain each and every day for a set period of time and do some analogue thinking, and it feels good.

Give it a try. If you don't like it, as I said, everyone and everything will still be there when you reconnect.

Happy thinking.

Rodd Chant

I'm a Creative Director / Writer / Strategist / Thinker and a bit more. I work with clients/brands directly and with agencies and production companies. I also teach creative thinking and idea generation to groups and individuals. You can read more of my LinkedIn musings here. You can also find me on Twitter,  Instagram and on Facebook. Or drop me an email – roddchant@gmail.com

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