Ten Interesting Ways To Keep Your Mind Fresh

Admit it; sometimes it is hard to keep your mind fresh. However, like anything worth doing in this life, we must continue to work at.

The simple fact is this: when we have a fresh mind, we are able to see what is really standing before us, we are able to better serve our clients, and we are able to find that "one idea" that changes everything.

So, the first step in keeping a fresh mind is: recognizing when you are experiencing the opposite of a fresh mind. Yes, we need to figure out when we are stale, stuck, or stalled-out.

Once you do recognize that, here are ten ways to keep your mind fresh:

1. Go for a walk (yes, seriously).
2. Call somebody that you enjoy talking to (client, friend, mentor).
3. Change the music (or put some on).
4. Meditate (you bet baby, close the door for ten minutes and think of nothing but the present moment).
5. Read for ten minutes (I keep a stack of books within arms reach, 5 - 10 minutes is all it takes).
6. Read THINKERTOYS (if you don't own it, buy it now, read it daily).
7. Free write. (stream of consciousness, headphones in your ears, just write and write and write about anything).
8. Do pushups (do them until you cannot possibly do one more, this is a humbling experience and reminds you that you're a mere mortal, that this to will pass, and that you have better things to worry about. Dropping this allows you to return to that fresh state of mind).
9. Sing (hey, we have people in our office that randomly burst out into song for a few minutes, whatever it takes my friend.... whatever it takes).
10. Forgive yourself for being stuck, stale, or stalled (sounds silly, but a lot of times we get so frustrated about something that we're not able to see anything other than frustration. As my dad used to say, "Chill dude..." Yes, take a breath, forgive yourself, and allow a fresh mind to take hold of you).

Long story short, enjoy the moment, right now, then repeat. If you're able to stay out of your head, out of thoughts about the future, and out of thoughts about the past, then you'll be able to stay focused on what value you are adding to this world right now, in this moment.

These are the moments that you realize you have always had; these are the moments that help get you to your final destination (which just so happens to be where you are sitting right here and now).