As a storytelling and content agency, we live and love good ideas. Because they are essential for our daily work: whether exciting media releases, gripping video storyboards or creative logos. But good ideas don't fall from the sky, nor do they grow on trees. Our secret for "unimaginative" moments: Mind-wandering. Our 4 tips show why it's worth finally getting bored again.
So that we can keep surprising our customers with new, innovative ideas day after day and week after week, we have collected a few tried and tested tricks over the years. Everyone knows the feeling: a client is waiting for an inspiring idea concept, but the slides of the PowerPoint presentation remain uninspired white even after hours of staring at them. On days when good ideas are difficult to elicit from the brain, it's worth letting your mind wander.
Mind-wandering is a mental state in which thoughts and ideas that lie dormant within us are explored. It can also be understood as activating the "default mode network", which is basically a break for our brain. And many people who really allow themselves this break and are not distracted by things like their smartphone will inevitably get bored. Good, because boredom is intentional in mind-wandering. When we are bored, we do not focus our thoughts on a goal-oriented task, but send them on a creative walk and thus find new access to ideas that lie dormant within us.
To make mind-wandering work, here are 4 tips for being bored and brilliant:
1. take a Fakecation
To stop whirling thoughts and really relax your brain, it's worth taking a targeted break from digital distractions such as emails, calls and social media. No time for a vacation? Commuting is a great way to take a break: just look out of the window instead of scrolling through Instagram.
2. fight against distraction
As much as we love them: Children, partners and work colleagues are unwelcome when mind-wandering. After all, distractions are not really conducive to 'doing nothing'. It's better to make sure that all your loved ones are busy and find a place where you can "just be" undisturbed.
3. plan for boredom breaks
Everyone loves breaks, everyone needs breaks. But how often do we take a break without a newspaper, a chat with work colleagues or funny smartphone videos? If you want to try mind-wandering, you should consciously plan your boredom breaks to give your brain a break from the stress of everyday life.
4. change perspectives
Certain routines creep into everyday life over time. If you want to boost your creativity, you are well advised to adopt new perspectives and consciously break your own patterns. Sit in a different seat on the bus when commuting or change sides of the bed with your partner - small stimuli are enough for the brain to take new paths.
Anyone who can't remember the last time they were really bored should take the time to simply daydream. You will find that even when you are doing nothing, numerous networks are active that create exciting ideas. But beware: although mindfulness activities such as yoga or meditation are relaxing and can also boost creativity, they are not mind-wandering, as these activities are dedicated to a goal.
So, nothing beats trying: Be bored, be brilliant and have fun doing nothing creative!