Unlock Your Creative Potential - Insights From a Motivational Speaker

Unlocking Creativity: Walking, Writing & Mindful Discipline

Creativity isn’t about forcing ideas—it’s about creating the right conditions for them to appear. In The Accidental Creative and Wired to Create, Scott Barry Kaufman and his fellow panelists discuss how our best ideas emerge when our minds are relaxed and engaged in unrelated tasks. This revelation led me to a new daily routine—one that has already transformed my productivity, creativity, and even my well-being.

The Science Behind Creative Sparks

At 07:00, Kaufman highlights a powerful truth: inspiration rarely strikes when we’re forcing it. Instead, our most creative insights arise when our prefrontal cortex relaxes, allowing broad connections to form between seemingly unrelated ideas.

This is why walking is such a powerful tool. When we move, listen, and absorb ideas from different sources—such as podcasts—our minds unconsciously weave together new insights. A single comment from an unrelated discussion can trigger a mini-chain reaction, linking different thoughts to form a fresh, creative idea.

The Power of Writing

My third key practice is writing. Writing isn’t just about recording ideas; it’s about discovering them. Like therapy—only cheaper—writing helps clarify our thoughts, solidify insights, and answer our own questions. Even though it’s my shakiest habit, I’ve seen how incredibly effective it is for unlocking deeper thinking and creativity.

Mindfulness, discipline, and writing go hand in hand. And I’ll be exploring this more in the future.

The Role of Mindfulness & The Four Agreements

At 41:50, the discussion introduces The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom. One of the guests emphasizes the importance of mindfulness—being aware of what you think, say, and do.

A key insight from the panel? We’re all pretending. We curate our social media to show a polished version of ourselves, chasing the dopamine hit of likes. I recognized this in my own habits—I used to check emails and Facebook, seeking reassurance that I was on the right path. But it led nowhere.

Replacing Distraction with Discipline

In just two weeks, I replaced mindless scrolling with mindful discipline. Here’s my new routine:

• 5:00 AM: Walk while listening to a new podcast.
• 7:00-9:00 AM: Write—expanding on ideas from the podcast and larger book concepts.
• 9:00 AM: Check emails and social media (limited to 30 minutes). If I open an email, I take action immediately.
• 9:30 AM: Focus on bigger goals for the day.

This shift has been life-changing. In two weeks, I’ve:

✔ Written 21,598 words for my book.
✔ Lost 2 kg—but more importantly, shed the mental weight of distraction.
✔ Strengthened relationships, thanks to a clearer, more focused mindset.

The Results: Big Mind, Small Waistline

The most exciting part? The ideas and insights I’ve gained from just a few weeks of walking, listening, and writing. Reflecting on my life, actions, and goals has already paid dividends.

I can’t promote something I don’t believe in. And to believe in it, I have to live it first.

I’m excited for me. I’m excited for you.

BigMindSmallWaistline is working.