CREATIVITY BRAIN HACKSBy Hannah Johnson

Sr. Associate Strategist

?Have you ever felt so _______________ about something you have to create that it inhibits you from being productive or moving forward?

( negative emotion)

I want to tell you:Your mind is a dojo.

HARNESSING THE DOJO THROUGH VISUALIZATION

How do I do it?

❏ Take a few deep breaths ❏ Close your eyes❏ Think about what issue you’re trying to

tackle❏ Begin to imagine:

● The environment● Yourself navigating through the

environment● The tactile and emotional

experience ● The triumphant ending

❏ If helpful, repeat process

What is it?

“Recreating all the images, sounds and feelings in your mind surrounding an activity in order to practice in a perfect environment.”

- Alejandro Reyes

?

Don’t worry, it isn’t permanent.

Have you ever felt so NOT creative? Like someone stuck a vacuum to your head and sucked out all of the good stuff?

What is it?

USING A MAP TO SEEK AND DESTROY

“The process of identifying your mental blocks and obliterating them into smithereens to make way for the parade of creative jumpstarts.”

- Hannah's Johnson

How do I do it?

❏ Breathe ❏ Identify how you’re feeling❏ Make a Brain Hack map (sample on next

slide)● What word describes how you’re

feeling?● What are 5 reasons why? ● What are the solutions for each

reason?

SAMPLE MAP

STRESSED

[Cause][Cause]

[Cause]

[Cause]

●●●

[Solutions]●●●

[Solutions]●●●

[Solutions]

●●●

[Solutions]

Lack of clarity on objectives

● Talk it out with project team

● Review project documents

● Step away and go for a walk to clear mind

What is it?

JUMPSTARTING YOUR BRAIN

“The process of identifying your mental blocks and obliterating them into smithereens to make way for the parade of creative jumpstarts.”

- Hannah Johnson

How do I do it?

❏ Breathe ❏ Use any of the tactics on the following

page

Build up your confidence. Sometimes problems are tricky to solve and the process can dampen your confidence. You can supplement this by playing games or working on smaller tasks that will allow you to “win.”

JUMPSTARTING YOUR BRAIN CONT’

How do I do it?

Take a break. When you’re in the thick of it all, it’s easy to forget to take a breather. Small breaks coupled with activities that are disconnected to your project can help you generate some fresh, new energy.

Laugh. If you’re not feeling great about the work you’re creating or if you’re just stuck, take a moment to laugh. Laughing decreases stress hormones and helps you feel good.

Change your environment. Feeling stifled by the ambient noises in the office? Or maybe the wall color is distracting you. Eliminate these distractions by finding an environment that feels comfortable and provokes inspiration.

Get your blood pressure up. Much like laughter, exercise helps to increase the endorphins in your brain which help reduce stress. It also releases serotonin which, contributes to feelings of happiness.

Do a little improv. Improv helps you get out of your head and into the moment. A little exercise can assist you in letting lose and sparking new ideas.

THE END

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