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The simple daily habit that will boost your creativity

When was the last time you took a digital check out?

This week I ran out of data on my phone. I’ve been taking part in a course and listening to the four weekly videos on the run has sucked up my monthly data allocation.

Ordinarily I’d pay a little extra to top it up, but this week I decided to see what it would be like to go without.

No more checking emails at the side of the swimming pool, outside the school gates, or in line at the post office. No entertaining my son in the doctor’s waiting room with Youtube clips. No more mindless clicking on news stories that don’t really need to take up my mental or emotional space.

It has been amazing.

Amazing because it has highlighted how often I reach for my phone instead of allowing myself space to simply chill.

I’ve had to think ahead, work out where I’m going and download audio books or podcasts in advance of a long drive. I’ve been forced to pause in my busy day, to relax in the queue, to know that I’ll still get there in good time and the emails will all be waiting when I get home.

I feel lighter, less scattered, more patient, more creative.

I’ll admit, I almost gave in when my son fell asleep en route to the playground leaving me with an hour to kill. It suddenly seemed REALLY important to do a Facebook Live right at that moment. But I resisted, reaching for my journal instead and mapping out plans for my new video series. And it felt good. Productive. Grounded.

If you are confused about where your business is heading, feel like you are running out of ideas or you don’t know how to move forward, a mini digital checkout could be the answer.

These days we are surrounded by constant noise and distraction. It’s hard to get a moment to think, let alone reflect. When distraction becomes addictive, and busyness our default setting, we never have to face up to thoughts or situations that may be unsettling.

If you want to tap into your inner voice and develop a clear vision, you have to make space for it rise.

You have to create space to download your creative ideas and to come up with fresh, innovative ways to present them to the world.

You know how good it feels to head away on holiday and step away from the phone for a while? Why not bring a little of that digital holiday feeling into every day? Turn off notifications on your phone and pack a journal in your handbag instead. You’re going to need it once those fresh ideas start flowing.

When you have a break in your day or a short time to wait, take a moment to breathe and check in. Ask yourself, “What do I need to know right now?” and pay attention to what comes up. Or just sit in peace and notice what’s happening around you.

It might take a while to connect with your inner voice, but the more space you create in your head and in your life, the easier it will be for the ideas to flow.

Could you go about your day without checking your emails and news feeds? Share your thoughts on the daily digital check out in the comments below.

And if you’re ready to ‘connect the dots’, refine your core message, show up boldly and share from the heart, click here to book your free mini session and let’s get started.

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