How To Inspire Creativity and Focus

Creativity often requires quiet and concentration–elusive qualities in today’s full-time-access multimedia world. To foster creativity, this entrepreneur created a quiet space at his company’s headquarters where employees must leave their gadgets at the door.

An entrepreneur like Brian Faherty, founder and creative director of Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co., knows the power of cultivating a quiet space. Faherty founded his wildly successful company on the premise of returning to a handcrafted industrial lighting and home aesthetic. In a few short years, his company grew out of a small storefront into a 125,000-square-foot headquarters. He created a “digital-free zone” in his offices and named it the “Fire + Water room.” Faherty found that balance between his digital and analog world was crucial to being a more effective leader and creative thinker. “I only have so much bandwidth myself, and if too much of it gets used up doing digital things, then I don’t have any room left for the other areas that are more important to me.” With a wood-burning stove set against a weathered brick wall and couches sporting wool blankets, the Fire + Water room is designed as a retreat for “the creative mind to work unencumbered by technology.” Anyone who enters must leave digital devices behind, but they are welcome to add wood to the fire.

Source: Wild Creative: Igniting Your Passion and Potential in Work, Home, and Life

How To Inspire Creativity and Focus

To inspire creativity and enhance focus while maintaining a quiet and concentrated environment, you can try the following strategies:

1. Create a designated workspace: Set up a dedicated area where you can focus on your creative tasks. Make sure it is clean, organized, and free from distractions.
2. Minimize distractions: Eliminate or reduce potential distractions in your workspace. Turn off notifications on your phone, close irrelevant tabs on your computer, and let others know that you need some uninterrupted time.
3. Establish a routine: Develop a consistent routine that includes dedicated time for creative activities. Having a set schedule helps train your mind to enter a focused state at specific times.
4. Set clear goals: Define specific and achievable goals for each creative session. This gives you a sense of purpose and direction, helping to maintain focus and drive.
5. Use ambient music or white noise: Some people find that soft background music or ambient noise can enhance concentration and creativity. Experiment with different types of music or utilize white noise apps to find what works best for you.
6. Take regular breaks: Breaks are essential for maintaining productivity and preventing burnout. Schedule short breaks during your creative sessions to recharge and refresh your mind. Use this time to stretch, meditate, or engage in activities that inspire you.
7. Seek inspiration: Surround yourself with inspirational materials or objects that stimulate your creativity. This could include books, artwork, or even natural elements like plants or a view of nature from your workspace.
8. Practice mindfulness: Incorporate mindfulness techniques into your routine to improve focus and reduce stress. Mindfulness exercises such as deep breathing or meditation can help you stay present and engaged in the creative process.
9. Embrace solitude: Sometimes, a quiet and peaceful environment is all you need to foster creativity. Find moments of solitude where you can reflect, brainstorm, and allow your mind to wander freely.
10. Maintain a healthy lifestyle: Engage in regular exercise, eat nutritious meals, and get enough sleep. Taking care of your physical well-being has a direct impact on your mental focus and creativity.

Remember, finding the optimal conditions for creativity and focus may require some experimentation. Pay attention to what works best for you individually and make adjustments accordingly.

Wherever you go in the midst of movement and activity, carry your stillness within you. Then the chaotic movement around you will never overshadow your access to the reservoir of creativity, the field of pure potentiality.

– Deepak Chopra

#WritersWednesday Writing Prompt

Do you have a quiet space in your office or home? Have you allowed for quiet moments in your day or week ahead?