Inject a Shot of the Unusual in your Daily Routine and Instantly Boost Your Creative Mojo

My client needs a new recruitment package – a recruitment advert, selection material (interview questions and hiring process). No problem.

Client: “We don’t want the usual. We are looking for something creative, easy-to-use, that will make candidates feel wow!”Me: “Of course! I can’t wait to get started.”

I was here.A tax-paying citizen of the State of Stuck.

I was there.Sitting at my desk with 14 tabs open on my laptop and a heap of rough drafts piled up on the floor, I was in frustrated agony.It was no good.The will to create had deserted me. Fresh ideas remained tantalisingly out of reach.It was time for action. Better yet, time for medication.

The Cure

I decided to “try a jolt of the unfamiliar” course of treatment, as recommended by Dan Pink in his provocative bestselling book ‘To Sell is Human’ to help move me to a different head-space. Clarity and creativity, here I come. The good doctor (my insert) recommends 3 jolts.

1. Mini jolt: Sit on the opposite end of the conference table at your next meeting…Instead of ordering what you usually do at your favorite restaurant, choose the eleventh item on the menu.

2. Half jolt: Spend a day immersed in an environment not typically your own…If you’re an accountant, take an afternoon and spend it with a lifeguard or park ranger.

3. Full jolt: Travel to another country, with a culture different from your own. You will likely return jolted – clarified.

With the burden of circumstances, available time and opportunity pressing, I chose the half jolt for a mid-strength dose of discomfort to beat my blah blues.

My Journey on the Road to Unstuck

1. Cross-discipline Adventuring: It’s August and I am in one of my favourite cities, London. It is packed full of art. Rarely do I take advantage of this. I headed to the Tate Britain Gallery to deliberately immerse myself in a world different to my own.  For some other-worldly inspiration - I chose to experience to work of Barbara Hepworth Exhibition: Sculpture for a Modern World.2. Photo Disclaimer: The exhibition had a NO PHOTOGRAPHY ALLOWED policy. This was politely yet firmly enforced by an elderly-looking gallery employee. I was not fooled by his outward appearance.He had a steely look in his eye. With MI6 headquartered over the river at Vauxhall, he was probably a MI6 / Bond-type operative. I was not taking any chances, so the image is courtesy of the Tate’s official website.3. Travel Solo: I am normally a social-collaborating junkie, loving nothing better to exchange ideas, thoughts, discuss and debate with others. This time I went on my own. It was only me old school exploring - alone with my thoughts, the art, a pencil and my new Moleskine® notebook.4. Take a Different Route: I got off at the tube stop furthest away from my destination and walked 1,200 metres (as claimed by Google maps) to the gallery. I walked along the river bank (unexpectedly beautiful) – resisting the urge to jump on a passing bus or hail a Black Cab with each metre.5. Lessons from the Artist: From the very beginning she experimented with different materials (wood, stone, metal) and multiple media (physical, print, canvass, film). She started by creating small pieces, increasing in size and presence to the colossal installations she is well-known for. Here are a few of my brainpokes inspired by the artist.

• Embrace experimentation.
• Cross-pollinate ideas.
• Push boundaries.
• Take ‘risks’.
• Live not exist.
• Be inspired by ‘what if’ not ‘what is’.

I left the Tate after 3 hours with the half jolt of the unfamiliar working its magic. My head-space had shifted,

• from place of stress and pressure to produce ‘something’,
• to a place bubbling with ideas for the design recruitment and selection material a little ‘out-there’ creative but definitely practical.

I will know if it hits the wow! criteria when I test it with my client.Do share with others who will find these curative jolts helpful.What are the ways in which you boost your creative mojo? Share your tips in the comments.The HR Rabbit Hole will return to it's weekly posting schedule next week.The leaves are starting to fall, the weather is getting chilly, and autumn is around the corner. The blog’s summer schedule ends today. Back to school is just a minute away and a new exciting client project goes live in September.Time to bid London adieu. I leave you with a postcard from one of my favourite cities.So take a break from the usual; until we meet again next week down the HR Rabbit Hole…