Set the right conditions for creativity

There isn’t a magic formula for how to be more creative. But you can deliberately craft the right environment for optimal brain health, which in turn makes it more likely for you to experience artistic inspiration or have that ‘eureka’ moment. Start by taking better care of yourself, which means sleeping more (at least 7-9 hours), eating a well-balanced diet and getting plenty of exercise — the basics for brain functioning. You should also force yourself to take time to think and reflect. Try a mindfulness course or some breathing exercises to reduce stress, stop fretting about your deficiencies and failures, and focus on what makes you happy at work. The positive emotions that are generated when you feel connected to your personal and organisational purpose will help you think more clearly — and more creatively.

(Adapted from How to Free Your Innate Creativity, by Annie McKee)

Taking on more work

Sometimes you have too much on your plate or you’re just not interested in taking on a project you’ve been asked to work on. You might not have a choice in the matter, but if you do, how do you turn down the opportunity in a way that won’t label you as ‘not a team player’? First, assess the request. Determine how interesting a new project is, and whether it’s actually feasible for you to help. Think about whether priorities can be shuffled, or whether a colleague could step in to assist you on other projects. If you realise you have neither the desire nor the bandwidth to help, be honest and upfront about your reasons. Say something like, “I wouldn’t be able to do a good a job on your project and my other work would suffer.” Ask whether there are small ways you can be helpful, but don’t leave your counterpart with false hope that your no could eventually turn into a yes.

(Adapted from How to Say No to Taking on More Work, by Rebecca Knight)

Ways to motivate staff

Companies often turn to material perks (bonuses, game rooms, free food) in the hopes of making employees happier. But research suggests that these efforts, while appreciated, aren’t effective drivers of long-term well-being. Instead, leaders should be mindful about giving their employees three things:

— Inspiration. Remind employees how their work is improving people’s lives. Distributing client or customer testimonials and announcing when corporate profits are donated to charities are just a couple of examples of how to do so.

— Kindness. Show that you care about your staff as people, not just as employees. Simply asking how someone is doing personally and really listening to the answer is a good first step.

— Self-Care. Create a culture in which it is acceptable and encouraged to exercise, take breaks from work and have more strict boundaries between work and home. Finding ways to reduce job stress ultimately increases well-being and engagement.

(Adapted from To Motivate Employees, Do 3 Things Well, by Emma Seppala)

Get more done when you’re traveling

Sometimes the key to being productive on the road is to think of yourself in the third person, as someone you need to carefully and deliberately influence. For example, make appointments with yourself — schedule tasks in your calendar, and consider them firm deadlines. If you have a long flight, make some reasonable commitments to yourself to get things done, but also allow time for relaxation and pleasure. If you’re working on something that will require extra time, find a stopping point when you’re actually in a groove — it will make you more enthusiastic about picking it up again later. When you’ve finished a task, develop a habit of stopping and feeling the earned satisfaction — sit back in your plane seat or on your hotel bed, and take in the joy of having completed something difficult.

(Adapted from How to Get Work Done on the Road, by Joseph Grenny)

Boost your productivity by protecting your time

If you want to get more done, take ownership of your time. Our most satisfying work comes about when we’re playing offense, working on projects that we ourselves initiate. Look for ways to automate or delegate activities that are not a good use of your time. Say no to projects that aren’t a priority and maintain a relentless focus on self-directed goals that only you can achieve. Programme your phone to only ring for select people, and resist emails first thing in the morning until you’ve achieved at least one important task. Recognise and honour your physical limitations by getting plenty of exercise and sleep, cycling between 90-minute bursts of focused work and short restorative breaks. And use your vacation time.

(Adapted from 9 Productivity Tips from People Who Write About Productivity, by Ron Friedman)

Published in Dawn, Business & Finance weekly, March 21st, 2016