The mentally fresh entrepreneur

As the founder and entrepreneur of your business, you are forever expected to keep up with the growing demands of your new venture. As technology becomes an integral part of our lives and the tempo of work continues to increase, there is sometimes a need to disconnect and find direction. I’m not talking financially, but rather mentally.

When something comes your way, it is up to you to deal with it effectively and efficiently because your team and customers expect you to. Sometimes, this requires a creative approach to keep wowing people and have them stay engaged and loyal to your product or brand.

That might not be so bad, if we were robots. As an entrepreneur, how can you plug into and invest in your well-being to keep yourself motivated and innovative?

Mentorship

One of the single most, highly effective decisions you can make as a leader is to follow someone who has made a difference in your life. Following a program of mentorship even while you’re “busy making it” yourself can not only help stimulate growth in the workplace, but also on a personal level.

You are given the experience and expertise of a professional to awaken your blind spots that you may have been too tired or too swamped to focus on before. It’s also like having an intelligent wall to bounce your ideas off, with positive criticism that helps you develop your own business.

Diet

We all know what goes in, must come out. Each meal can either deplete or nourish your brain. This is definitely not all your diet should consist of, but making conscious decisions to promote your body’s health will help boost your mental health. A few of my favourites to mention:

• Berries: Abundant with flavonoids, a group of potent antioxidants that protect brain cells from damage. This special F word improves numerous cognitive skills, the most important in our field – decision making!
• Avocado: Sometimes scientifically classified as a berry, avocados are high in tyrosine, one of the strongest chemicals to keep you motivated and focused.
• Dark chocolate: Let’s be realistic. You can’t actively create fresh content if you’re not in a state of bliss yourself, right? Dark chocolate contains phenylethylamine, a psychoactive compound that positively impacts brain health and function to boosts memory, mood and concentration. It’s also high in neuroprotective flavonoids which promote brain plasticity and help brain cells live longer. Blood flow is then stimulated to the brain to aid memory, attention span, reaction time and problem solving. Yes, I saved the best for last.

Exercise

Did you know there is a specialised cell in the brain tasked with improving your ability to use your imagination effectively in creating new situations? This creative genius is called the hippocampus.

How do we awaken and activate it? Exercise, exercise and more regular exercise!

Do not wait for the moment you’re feeling overwhelmed with stress. Consider how much physical activity you engage in every day. Do you get up from your computer for breaks and some stretching?

Take this week to think about a fun physical activity you can do with a family member or friend. Bring on the oxygen to the brain. Welcome all those endorphins to leave you feeling refreshed and ready to take on your creative assignment.

Read!

I read somewhere that “Reading is an activity that forces the reader to focus and conquer over the distractions”. Reading is not just an escape from the hustle and bustle of reality. It’s much more than that. Reading is a tension release of the body and active engagement of your imagination as the words on the page actively stimulate your creativity into wondering what could be next.

Take a break

It may not always be possible to go on a long weekend getaway into the mountains, or jet across the globe to the calm and clear waters of the Maldives.

It is always possible, however, to put down your pen, shut your laptop and go for a massage. If not a massage, then surely a trip to your local botanical gardens for a picnic? Or just disconnect for a short while. These all entail climbing into your car and driving somewhere. If you’re not in an office space, consider taking a break.

You know that relaxing experience you have when you take a shower or bath? That five to 15 minutes where your mind is free to fly into realms of bliss and your body goes through the motions. This is meditation at its finest.

Your brain already knows you’re going to get out of that shower or bath feeling physically refreshed, so it takes the opportunity to blow off some of your mental steam too. It’s a rejuvenating environment for inspiration and creativity.

All suggestions shared above are by no means the only possible methods for overcoming the creative block. They are merely real-life pleasures that can undeniably assist in a positive reattachment to the things that matter to you most.