1. Protect the white space.
In graphic design terms, “white space” is negative space and is left blank intentionally. It balances the busier elements of the design and creates breathing room. The white space also helps one focus on visual attention. If we expand this concept past design and into our daily lives, we can improve our mental clarity and focus. One way you can do this is by protecting the white space in your Google Calendar or daily planner! If our calendar is over cluttered and over-booked, it makes it hard to be focused on or present with what we are doing. Cramming as much as we can into every minute of the day stifles creativity and thus decreases our joy. Leave some white space for breathing room!
2. Set an intention.
The first thing many people do in the morning is to check their phones and emails. We get right into the day responding and reacting to daily crises and events. If we spend our whole day in that cycle, this will often times leave us feeling as if the time flew by and nothing was really accomplished (when ironically, we haven’t stopped moving). By setting an intention for the day, it creates a guideline that we can follow throughout the day in order to stay on track. When we choose not to react to the day but instead set an intentional plan, it ensures a sense of completion even when things don’t go completely as planned.
3. Create an environment that nourishes innovation and imagination.
There are two parts to this one. The first part is to create the actual environment. The process for this can vary greatly from person to person. It may serve you to de-clutter your desk to create a sense of clarity, or maybe you should spend some time discovering a playlist that inspires you. Whatever it is, move things around until it feels good to you. Don’t forget to consider multi-sensory tactics, like music and ambient sounds, or favorite scents. The second part is to actually use the space you’ve created! This means making time to reflect, exercise, meditate, read or write. Being playful and imaginative can decrease stress, foster new ideas, improve one’s health and improve the overall productivity of the day. Looking at your mobile phone is not reflective of this environment and doesn’t count.