Welcome back,
Want to know something funny about creative ideas?
I’ve noticed they like to hang around other ideas.
When you have one, it’s far easier to have another one. It’s part of the power of brainstorming. If I find that I’m getting ideas, I try not to rush into working on them, but play with them so I can find more ones.
But there’s a counter to that too.
When I break my streak, it’s harder to find ideas again.
I’ve seen both in the last few weeks with more family challenges disrupting my schedule. But as you’ll see later, two tools have helped me get back into the flow again. But first, the links.
Interesting links
I love this little reel from Sketchwelat. It shows how simple lines can add up.
Austin Kleon invites you to Practice, suck less. It’s a great challenge for February and visual thinking.
Caroline Chapple graphic recording on ESG in the workplace for the PR network.
What makes a great story? Dan Roam explains.
Bonus: This year’s international sketchnote camp is going to be in San Antonio, Texas. Follow on social media to stay up to date.
Two simple tools to get ideas
It happens to us all.
There’s a moment when we need an idea or inspiration and it’s just not there.
So what do you do?
Well, I’ve found two things that work for me.
Walks
There’s a Latin phrase “Solvitur ambulando”.
It means “it is solved by walking.” And is often attributed to St Augustine of Hippo. That means people have known about the power of walks for at least 1700 years.
The science agrees too.
A study by Standford University found that 100% of students who walked were able to come up with at least one novel idea in a creative thinking test compared to only 50% who stayed seated.
It's no surprise many great thinkers throughout history — Einstein, Jung, Darwin, Aristotle — have been regular walkers.
When I need to clear my head or get an idea, a quick trip down to the local park is a surefire way to get my creative juices flowing again.
It also works to prime my creative juices for the day too.
But it’s not my only tool.
Showers
Ever noticed how often you get a great idea in the shower?
There’s a reason for that.
The shower is a place to relax and switch off. And when we switch off our first system of thinking, our second system can finally get through.
There are three factors that work.
The intention - you choose to enter that state
The warmth - warm water helps relax you
The sound - the white noise helps to block out your regular thoughts.
And although Archemedies had his eureka moment in the bath and not a shower, it has most of the same elements too.
What about you?
That’s what works for me, but I’d love to know if you’ve found anything to stir a creative spark.
See you next week.