Digital Detox

Our individual creativity is under attack from our hyper-connected, over-scheduled, over-stimulated way of life. Research shows that problem-solving and critical thinking require letting our minds wander where they may. Thinking hard doesn’t really help.

The simplest and most powerful thing you can do to increase your creativity is to stop using your phone as an alarm clock. When the first thing we do each day is grab our phone, it creates an overwhelming urge to check and see what messages have arrived.

When we do this our brain starts unconsciously and unproductively working on the problems of the day. Even if you try to push those small thoughts out of the way, they creep back in. Unless you are heavily invested in Asian stock markets, it is unlikely that anything important happened while you were asleep.

By keeping your phone out of the bedroom, you can give yourself time each morning to reflect, dream, and think deep thoughts. This way, you will not be involuntarily thinking about the minor problems of the day while you are in the shower. Your brain will be free to wander at the start of a very creative day.