It’s summertime, and for most people that means sunny afternoons by the pool, vacations and lighting up the grill. But it also offers the optimum time to re-ignite and energize your mind through summer creativity.
The thought of freedom and fun that beckons just outside your office window doesn’t exactly make for high productivity. If you feel like your creativity has taken a nosedive recently, you’re not alone. Much like TV’s summer lineup, creativity often slows during these hot months because people check out, say bon voyage to reality and coast through to the season’s finish line.
Take advantage of summer’s unique break from routine by continuing to feed your mind. This is the time of year that gets you ready to face the other 9 months. So how do you keep your mind’s motor running smoothly when the heats building?
Here are a few slightly off-kilter ideas to keep your creativity from slipping into idle:
• Take a stroll
Walk through your local bookstore and hit up the alternative history section. You’ll find some pretty gnarly/weird “What ifs.” WHAT IF 4.5 billion years ago the moon never formed? WHAT IF the Cuban Missile Crisis blew up? WHAT IF Janet Jackson hadn’t had a wardrobe malfunction? WHAT IF I hadn’t eaten that second burrito?
• People watch
Try to figure out what the hell they’re doing there and who they are. The stories you make up about others can be classic hilarity.
• Rearrange everything around you
Change everything up for awhile-Your routine, your furniture, your driving habits. Even try a different way of eating, walking and interacting with others. Everything.
• Don’t be yourself
Like they say to do in Vegas, take a short trip (preferably where no one will know you), make up a new identity and stick to it. Do the whole shebang-create a life story for who you will be for that day. Have fun with it…but also know when to cut the act.
• Join a group/club/team
Choose a group that seems an odd fit for you. Sign up for a group that’s predominately made up of the opposite sex or is a social hobby you’d never dream of doing. (Competitive ironing anyone?) Will it be awkward? Probably for a little bit, but it’ll definitely get you thinking outside your comfort zone and get you firing on all cylinders.
• Run for office.
Are you going to win? Not unless you’re serious about it. But that’s not the point for doing this. Just for some kicks, enter your name in an election, any election (PTA, city council, senate, Oprah fan club) and get it on the ballot. Admit it, it’d be pretty cool to see your name on there…just be prepared if you do happen to win, Mr./Mrs. President.
• Start a business
Do it right from your home. Now I’m not talking about all those cheesy “I made 25 grand a week by sitting at my computer” infomercials. I’m talking about utilizing talents or hobbies you use during spare time. Make great deserts? Offer them for sale. Does tidying up relax you? Parlay that into a weekend cleaning service. Nowadays you can setup an easy small business and nice website in a matter of hours-if that.
• Attempt an “impossible” challenge.
I don’t mean dangerous challenges like machete juggling, but something you usually would look at and think “I could never do that” or “I’m not skilled enough.” Go ahead and give it the ol’ college try. Even if you don’t beat the odds, just by trying you’ll already have done more than most people ever do. Plates spinning on sticks, anyone?