How Can I Maximize My Creativity?

There are many ways you can encourage creativity, depending on the time of day, the space you work in, and how you take care of yourself.

Contrary to what you might expect, you are often at your creative best just when you think you are at your worst. This is because creativity and lateral thought flourish when your mind is in its wandering, default mode network, which is more likely when your concentrating, executive control network is running at low ebb. For night owls, creativity is maximal in the morning; for morning larks, the best ideas tend to come in the evening.

The three brain networks—wandering, watching, and concentrating—work together to develop your creativity. Learning new skills helps your brain form new pathways, encouraging these three networks to collaborate more effectively. Allow time for creativity and work in a space that encourages you to be creative, without trying to force it. Take regular breaks to prompt your brain to think outside the box. Get enough rest and sleep, since anxiety-inducing pressure will choke creativity.

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Creative thought process

Creative ideas and lateral thought follow a direction of travel through different brain networks, beginning with the crucial wandering network.