Without food and water your body will cease to function. So it is with your brain. Your mind cannot function optimally without being fed. Day in and day out, you continually ask your mind to put forth ideas and bits of stored information to keep your freelance career going. Without realizing it, you ask your mind to do what you would never expect your body to do–to continue to work without fuel.
Fuel for your brain? What is it? Where do you find food for thought? Or if you prefer, brain food? Take five minutes and think about it. Then jot down as many kinds of brain food as you can. Now that you have listed all the usual sources, try thinking outside of the box-time. Consider your unique brain. Upon what does it thrive?
What can you do to re-energize your creative thought processes?
In addition to all the standard sources of brain food, here are some other possibilities to help keep your mind invigorated:
1. Get some exercise
Take a daily walk. Play hide-and-seek with the children. Toss a Frisbee for Rover. You’ll be amazed at how these simple activities can help clear your mind.
2. Get enough rest
Though it never actually stops working, your mind needs time to rejuvenate. However, don’t cross the line into too much sleep. Too much sleep or inactivity can have just the opposite effect of the desired effect–you’ll be groggy and dull.
3. Keep an open mind
Actively look at life with an inquisitive eye. Look for ideas in the most common of places. Everyday life is not mundane–except to the disinterested.
4. Read
This seems to be a very “inside the box” source of food for your mind. Well, maybe, if you only consider books and magazines. How about cereal boxes? Or billboards? Or junk mail? You don’t have to spend hours looking at these odd pieces of reading material. Just spend a minute here and there and who knows you may read a few words that will spark your next “brilliant” idea.
5. Listen
Truly pay attention to those with whom you have conversations every day. Listen actively. Not thinking ahead to what you are going to say next, but considering the ideas that are being set forth.
Final
This is a very short list taken from the dozens of sources of brain food offered to you every day. Take time and take advantage of these opportunities to rejuvenate your mind and keep it sharp so that you and your freelance career can continue to thrive.